In the right circumstances, refinancing your student loans can help you save both time and money as you work to pay down your student debt. As you compare refinance lenders, however, it’s important to keep an eye on the fees they charge.
Student Loan Refinancing Recap
Student loan refinancing is the process of paying off one or more existing student loans with one new one through a private lender. You can typically refinance both federal and private student loans, and depending on the terms of your current loans and your creditworthiness, you may be able to get a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment.
This process is different from federal student loan consolidation, which involves combining several eligible federal loans into one new loan with a federal loan servicer. While that process can simplify your repayment plan and help you maintain federal loan protections, it typically doesn’t help you save money.
Every situation is different, but with the right refinance loan, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars as you pay down your student debt.
That said, there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider before you pull the trigger.
Pros of Student Loan Refinancing
Can Save You Money
If you qualify for a lower interest rate than what you’re currently paying, refinancing your student loans could save you money on interest over the life of the loan.
If you don’t qualify for a lower rate on your own, you may be able to add a co-signer with solid creditworthiness to help improve your chances.
Can Give You More Flexibility
Student loan refinance lenders typically offer a range of repayment terms, allowing you to shorten or lengthen the amount of time you have to pay off your debt.
Simplifies Your Repayment Plan
If you have multiple student loans across more than one servicer or lender, refinancing them all into one new loan can make repayment a little easier.
Cons of Student Loan Refinancing
You’ll Lose Federal Benefits and Protections
If you have federal student loans, refinancing with a private lender will cause you to lose certain benefits and protections, such as access to income-driven repayment plans, federal loan forgiveness programs, and more.
It May Not Save You Money
If your current interest rates are already low, it may be tough to qualify for something even lower. Also, applying for a longer repayment period than what you already have could end up costing you more in interest over the life of the loan.
You May Get Less Help When You’re Struggling
Deferment and forbearance options can vary by lender. With SoFi, for instance, you may qualify for a deferment if you return to graduate school on a half-time or full-time basis, undergo disability rehabilitation, or serve on active duty in the military.
There’s also an unemployment protection program that provides forbearance in three-month increments and up to 12 months total for those members who qualify. Other lenders, however, may not offer these same benefits.
Common Fees When Refinancing Your Student Loans
Depending on the lender you choose, you may run into some fees when refinancing your loans, as well as fees going forward. Here are some to watch out for:
• Application fee: This fee covers the cost of processing the application and is typically due when you submit your application.
• Origination fee: Some lenders charge this fee to help cover the costs of processing your loan and disbursing the funds.
• Late fee: Many lenders charge this fee if you miss a payment. Depending on the lender, you may get a grace period between your due date and when the fee is assessed.
• Returned payment fee: If you try to make a payment but don’t have enough money in your checking account to cover it and no overdraft protection, some lenders may charge you a fee for the failed transaction.
In most cases, you won’t have to pay anything up front to refinance your student loans. With SoFi, for instance, there are no application fees, and no origination fees.
So as you’re shopping around, make sure you read the fine print to understand the cost of refinancing student loans with that particular lender.
Serious savings. Save thousands of dollars
thanks to flexible terms and low fixed or variable rates.
Reducing the Cost of Refinancing Student Loans
Because many student loan refinance lenders don’t charge upfront fees, shopping around with those costs in mind can help you improve your chances of finding a low- or no-costs lender.
Keep in mind, though, that some lenders may charge what are called “hidden fees.”
Instead of showing up in marketing material, these fees are often buried deep in the terms and conditions of the loan and can be tough to find if you’re not looking for them.
Taking the time to thoroughly read the terms and conditions before refinancing could help you avoid unexpected fees down the line.
If you get approved for the new loan, you might consider setting up automatic payments to help avoid missing a payment and getting charged a late fee. Some lenders, including SoFi, offer an interest rate discount to qualified borrowers using autopay.
Then, you might make it a goal to always have a buffer in your checking account or overdraft protection to ensure a payment doesn’t get returned.
Considering SoFi to Avoid Upfront and Hidden Costs
If you’re considering refinancing your student loans, shopping around can take time. When refinancing with SoFi, you don’t have to worry about paying upfront or hidden fees.
What’s more, you can find your rate with SoFi with just a soft credit check.
Simply register and share a little information about yourself, and you can view what rates you might qualify for.
Use a student loan refinancing calculator to get an idea of how much you could save before you apply.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance CLICK HERE for more information. Notice: SoFi refinance loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers such as Income-Driven Repayment plans, including Income-Contingent Repayment or PAYE. SoFi always recommends that you consult a qualified financial advisor to discuss what is best for your unique situation.
Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
If you are looking to refinance federal student loans, please be aware that the White House has announced up to $20,000 of student loan forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for qualifying borrowers whose student loans are federally held. Additionally, the federal student loan payment pause and interest holiday has been extended beyond December 31, 2022. Please carefully consider these changes before refinancing federally held loans with SoFi, since the amount or portion of your federal student debt that you refinance will no longer qualify for the federal loan payment suspension, interest waiver, or any other current or future benefits applicable to federal loans. If you qualify for federal student loan forgiveness and still wish to refinance, leave unrefinanced the amount you expect to be forgiven to receive your federal benefit.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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