If you’re interested in refinancing your student loans but don’t think your credit history is strong enough, you don’t have to give up. There are options available that could make refinancing a reality for you. One option is taking out the loan with a cosigner.
A cosigner could potentially help you qualify for a refinanced loan with a new lower interest rate. But is taking out a new loan with a cosigner the right option for you? Here are some key ins and outs of borrowing a loan with a cosigner so you can decide what works best for your personal situation.
What Is a Cosigner?
A cosigner is someone who legally agrees to pay your debt in the event that you can’t make payments yourself. The exact terms will vary based on the loan type and lender, but
in general this person signs your loan with you and accepts responsibility for your loan if you don’t make payments.
A cosigner can potentially be used for several different types of loans, from taking out a mortgage to borrowing for a car.
If you’ve had private student loans, you might have needed a cosigner to qualify if your credit history was too new or not robust enough to qualify on your own.
Creditors review a variety of factors to determine whether or not they will give someone a loan.
Things like a lot of existing debt, or a low credit score can sometimes serve as an indicator to lenders that an individual could be a credit risk . Adding a cosigner could make a potential borrower appear less risky, since there’s another person (ideally with a strong financial background) to help guarantee repayment of the loan.
Finding a Cosigner
If you can’t qualify for a loan based on your own credit history or current income, sometimes finding a cosigner with a strong credit history could improve your prospects.
You could ask a friend or relative to be a cosigner. Being a cosigner can be a hefty responsibility, so treat the request with respect, and perhaps plan to be open and honest about why you need a cosigner.
Pros and Cons of Having a Cosigner
Taking out a loan with a cosigner is a significant commitment, so it’s worth considering some pros and cons. What’s right for you will depend on your personal and financial situation.
One of the most notable benefits of taking out a loan with a cosigner is the potential to qualify for a loan that may not have been an option otherwise. A cosigner could also possibly help you qualify for a lower interest rate than you otherwise may have received. If you have little to no credit history or bad credit, taking out a loan with a cosigner could give you an opportunity to begin working towards improving your credit.
On the flip side, there can be some cons to taking out a loan with a cosigner too. If you fail to make payments on your loan, your cosigner will be responsible for repaying your debt. As a result, missed payments will likely reflect on both of your credit histories. This could also negatively impact your personal relationship with your cosigner.
Using a Cosigner when Refinancing Your Student Loans
If you’re currently in the process of repaying your student loans, refinancing could be an option that could lower your interest rate.
Enlisting a friend or family member to cosign your refinanced loan, could help strengthen the application and help you get ahead of your debt and begin to build you a brighter financial future.
If you’re trying to find a cosigner, you can start with the people you trust the most. Acting as a cosigner has its own risks—if you don’t pay back your loans, your cosigner is on the hook. It’s a big request, so take some time to think about how you’ll make it. Here are some tips that may help inform your conversation:
1. Asking respectfully. If you’re asking someone to be a cosigner, you will likely want to broach the subject thoughtfully and respectfully. You’re asking for a serious commitment, so asking with tact to show you understand the gravity of your request is crucial.
2. Showing your dedication. It’s also important to make it clear to your cosigner that you’re going to be making timely payments on the loan. One simple way to do so is by providing regular updates.
3. Illustrating to your cosigner that you understand the intricacies of your loan. They’ll be responsible for the loan if you fail to make payments, so they’ll likely want to make sure you understand the responsibility you’re taking on—and asking them to take on.
Things to Consider if You’re Asked to Cosign a Loan
Serving as a cosigner can come with consequences for your own finances if the primary borrower fails to make payments. If you’re a family member or friend with excellent credit and a well-paying job, you could be a candidate for cosigning (or at least be asked to). If you have some hesitation, here are a few thoughts to consider:
1. Talking it out with the borrower. They are going to use your name and credit history to take out a loan. It can be helpful to understand why they feel they need a cosigner while making sure they have the means to repay the loan.
2. Following up often. Keeping the lines of communication open so you are aware of any issues can be helpful for both parties. If need be, you could discuss making payments on their behalf to avoid the effect of a late or missed payment on your own credit score.
3. Accepting negative outcomes. Even if you’ve done everything you can to ensure the borrower is trustworthy, something might come up where they let you down. Your credit score might take a hit and you might be responsible for making payments yourself. Remember that this could happen, so accepting it as a possibility may be helpful.
Cosigning a loan is a big responsibility that can have implications on your financial future so, as with other major decisions, take a moment to consider if there’s anything you’re not comfortable with.
You can let the requester down gently by trying to help them think of some alternative options for them to secure the loan or money they need. If you have the chance to help someone take out a loan or qualify for a lower interest rate, give it careful consideration.
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