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Whether you’re paying for college, buying a house, or starting a business, it’s common to take on debt at some point in your life. Repaying that debt typically involves making a fixed or minimum monthly payment by a certain day each month.

But what happens if money is tight and you don’t have enough to make that monthly payment?

It might seem like making a partial payment is better than paying nothing at all. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Depending on the lender or creditor, a partial payment may be looked at the exact same way as a late or missed payment.

Though partial payments might help lower your balance and reduce the interest that accrues on your debt, lenders and creditors generally don’t see them as on-time payments and may still consider your account as in default.

If you’re thinking about making partial payments, here’s what you can expect to happen — and what you can do instead.

What is a Partial Payment?

A partial payment on a debt is any payment smaller than the minimum amount due, as specified by the creditor.

Credit cards have minimum payment amounts, which can vary depending on your balance and annual percentage rate (APR). Other types of debt, such as car loans and mortgages, typically have set monthly payments that don’t vary as much.

Partial payments typically do not typically satisfy a creditor’s payment requirements for loans, credit cards, and other debt. And, not paying the full amount could be treated the same as a missed payment.

Why Do Customers Make Partial Payments?

Generally, customers make partial payments if they’re dealing with financial hardship or other money issues that make them unable to cover all their monthly expenses.

Even a sound budget can go off the rails when emergency expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs, arise. When bills are due, paying for necessities, like food, housing, and utilities, are usually a higher priority than long-term debt.

People who are out of work due and collecting unemployment benefits may also consider making partial payments on debt for a period of time.

An unexpected turn of events, such as job loss or a major bill you didn’t see coming, are examples of why financial experts recommend starting an emergency fund. Ideally, you’d have three to six months’ worth of basic living expenses socked away.

Does a Partial Payment Affect Your Credit Score?

It could. If you pay less than the minimum amount due on a credit card or loan, it likely won’t satisfy your creditors, and they will still consider it a missed payment. In addition to hitting you with a late fee, they may also report to the credit bureaus that your payment is late.

By law, creditors can’t notify credit bureaus of a late payment until it’s 30 days past the due date. Paying the remainder of what you owe for that month prior to the 30-day mark can keep a late payment from showing up on a credit score, though you could still be liable for fees and penalties set by the creditor for making a late payment.

Because your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO® Score, having a late payment on your record can cause your score to drop.

Lenders consider a borrower’s repayment track record as a primary indicator of their ability to pay back future debt, which is why payment history is the largest component of most credit scores. Paying on time, all the time, can help build your credit score.

The impact of late and partial payments on your credit score will vary based on your existing credit history and how far behind you are on payments. Accounts that go unpaid for several months will do more harm to a credit score than a single late payment.

Over time, the impact of a late payment on your score will diminish and, after seven years, it will be removed from your credit report.

Other Downsides of Making a Partial Payment

Falling short of what you owe can create other issues besides putting a dent in your credit score. Creditors may impose fees and take additional measures to secure repayment.

Here’s a closer look at what could happen if you only make partial payments on these common types of debt.

Auto Loans

What happens to your auto loan will depend on your agreement and history with the lender. If you’ve never missed a payment before, they may be willing to accept a partial payment for now.

Depending on the state, defaulting on your car loan can mean vehicle repossession, which can involve selling the car at public auction or electronic disabling the car to prevent it from being used. It can be a good idea to check the contract terms to learn what the lender is authorized to do and when.

Credit Cards

Unless you’ve come to a prior agreement with the credit card company, partial payments likely won’t satisfy your account’s minimum payment requirements. That’s not, unfortunately, how credit cards work.

Even if you pay something towards the bill, your account will likely still become delinquent, and the credit card company may report the late payments to the credit bureaus.

Failing to pay the minimum amount on a credit card bill also typically comes with late fees. Delaying payment further can result with additional consequences, such as freezing your credit card and sending your debt to a collection agency.

Mortgages

Making partial payments on a mortgage can be considered defaulting on the loan and even trigger the foreclosure process.

Prior to foreclosure, borrowers will likely incur late fees and receive a notice of default when the mortgage payment is a few months past due.

In general, a foreclosure can’t begin until 120 days after the first missed mortgage payment. That means you have some time to pay the amount that’s past due before the lender starts the foreclosure process.

Recommended: Prepayment Penalties: Why They Exist and How to Avoid Them

Student Loans

Getting out of student debt typically doesn’t involve partial payments. Paying less than the minimum due on student loans could cause them to become delinquent one day after the payment due date unless alternative arrangements are made with lenders.

With federal student loans, your loans typically enter default when you miss or only make partial payments for 270 days. The lender can then report the default to the credit bureaus. In addition, the government can garnish your wages, and even keep your tax refund.

A possible exception: If you have an income-driven federal student loan repayment plan, your monthly payment could be as low as $0 if your income dips low enough.

With private student loans, the rules will depend on the lender. If you remain delinquent for 90 days or more, the delinquency may be reported to the credit bureaus. If the account continues to be delinquent, you could fall into default, at which point private lenders can take legal action.

Alternatives to Making Partial Payments

Before making a partial payment, you may want to consider some alternatives:

Reaching Out to Your Creditor

It can be a good idea to contact the creditor or lender before the payment is due to explain your situation and what you can afford to pay that month.

You may also want to ask about a “hardship repayment plan.” This type of plan could potentially allow you the option of minimal or no payment, a temporary reduction or suspension in account interest, or interest-only payments.

You may want to keep in mind, however, that interest-only payments won’t decrease your principal — or the size of your loan. Some programs last a month, and others up to six months or so.

Contacting a Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agency

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies can help by negotiating lower interest rates with your current creditors. This can often result in lower monthly payments. If you are able to work out a plan, the payment you make may no longer be considered a “partial payment,” but instead an agreed-upon amount.

Considering Debt Consolidation

If you have multiple credit cards with high-interest rates and you’re having trouble paying the minimum on each, you may want to look into whether a debt consolidation program might help. The process involves taking out a personal loan at a bank or other reputable lender and then using it to pay off your credit cards.

You then end up with one loan to pay back, ideally at a lower interest rate. Typically, a closed-end loan like a personal loan means higher monthly payments, since personal loans have fixed terms. This is great news for borrowers who want to pay down their debt sooner, but it might not be the right choice for everyone.

Recommended: 6 Strategies for Becoming Debt Free

The Takeaway

If cash flow is tight, you might consider making a partial payment on a debt, hoping that paying something will prevent a late fee or a late payment from showing up on your credit report.

However, borrowers don’t typically get any extra credit for making a partial effort. If the monthly minimum or fixed payment hasn’t been paid in full, the lender will likely mark the payment as missed.

While partial payments may help chip away at your account balance, you can still end up facing fees, a reduced credit score, and potentially loan default.

If you’re unable to make full payments on your debt, it can be a good idea to contact your creditor as soon as possible and see if they may be able to offer alternative payment plans, forbearance, or postponement. Budgeting and tracking your spending can help you stay on track; many banks offer helpful tools for these tasks.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

Photo credit: iStock/mapodile

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SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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There are moments when you may feel as if you are bad with money: You overdraft your account, pay a bill late, can’t put any cash towards retirement, or realize your savings account balance hasn’t budged in months.

If you feel as if you aren’t managing your money as well as you could in these instances, you might be right. But by taking a closer look at these signals and then shifting your course, you can get on a better track to taking control of your cash, building wealth, and reaching your financial goals.

So instead of just thinking, “I’m bad with money” and sidestepping the issue, read on to learn the signs that you could boost your money management. Then try the simple strategies that can help you improve.

4 Signs You’re Bad With Money

Sometimes the signs are clear, like getting multiple notifications for overdraft fees in a week. Sometimes, however, being bad with money is less obvious. Here are some red flags that can indicate you’re heading down the wrong financial path.

You Tend to Live Paycheck to Paycheck

Even if you are able to pay your bills in full each month, if you’re often broke after paying them, it can be a sign that you’re not all that financially stable.

Whatever your income or budget is, it can be wise to always have at least a little bit of extra money to put into savings. If that extra doesn’t exist, then you could be walking a financial tightrope, where a major crisis could be waiting just around the corner.

You Don’t Have an Emergency Savings Fund

Not starting an emergency fund (rainy-day money tucked away in a separate savings account) is an indication that you’re living too close to the edge. It’s important to have that cash to cover an unexpected expense, such as a medical bill, car repair, or sudden loss of income.

Although the specific dollar amount you should have in your emergency fund varies from person to person, many financial experts say you should try to have at least three months’ worth of living expenses set aside to cover the unexpected.

Without this cushion, a single large expense or loss of paycheck even for a couple of months could put you in a debt spiral that can be hard to get out from under. You might be tempted to put too much on your credit card and wind up with high-interest debt.

You Only Make the Minimum Payment on Your Credit Cards

Speaking on high-interest debt: Here’s another sign that you may be bad with money. Paying the minimum on your credit cards may seem like you’re keeping up, but in reality you are gradually getting further and further behind.

If you don’t pay the card in full each month, every dollar you put on a card can end up costing you many times more in interest charges over time. Credit card debt that you can’t get rid of can be a clear sign that you’re not being as good with your money as could be.

You Often Overdraft Your Account

If you’re gotten into the habit of spending almost everything you earn, it can be easy to overdraft your account. This often results in a high overdraft or NSF fee, which can make keeping up with your expenses even harder.

Overdrafts can also result from disorganization. Maybe you have the money, but didn’t transfer it over to your checking account in time. This can be a sign that you’re not keeping close enough tabs of your money.

Recommended: How to Avoid Overdraft Fees

How to Be Better With Money: 11 Tips

Becoming better at money management doesn’t have to happen overnight. In fact, the best approach to lasting change is often to take one small step at a time. This can be much easier to do and, as you start to see the rewards (more money, less stress), you will likely be inspired to keep going.

The following tips can help put you on the path to being good with money.

1. Setting Some Specific Money Goals

You likely have a few things you’d like to do in life that having enough money can help you accomplish. Maybe you want to take a great vacation next year, buy a home in a few years, or retire early.

Setting financial goals, both for the short- and long-term, can give you something to work towards — or, in other words, a reason to be better with your money.

Recommended: What is Financial Therapy?

2. Tracking Your Cash Flow

In order to get better with money, it can help to know exactly where you currently stand.

You can do this by gathering all your financial statements for the past several months, and then adding up all of your after-tax income to see how much is coming in each month.

Next, you can tally up how much you are spending each month. To do this, you may want to make a list of all your spending categories and then come up with an average amount you’ve been spending on each.

You may find it helpful to actually track your spending for a month or two, either by journaling or using an app that tracks spending right on your phone.

Ideally, you’ll want to have more coming in than going out each month. That means you have money you can siphon off into saving and investing, which can help you build wealth over time.

3. Coming Up With a Budget Method That Works for You

Once you have a clear picture of what’s coming and going out each month, you can create a budget for your money moving forward — in other words a budget.

While budgeting may sound onerous, it’s simply a matter of going through your expenses, seeing where you may be able to cut back, and then coming up with target spending amounts for each category.

One budgeting framework that may help you get started is a 50/30/20 budget breakdown. The idea is that 50% of your after-tax income should go to necessities, 30% goes to fun spending or “wants,” and 20% goes to savings goals.

These percentages may not work for everyone, especially if you live in an area with a high cost of living, but they can give you a general rule of thumb as you get started with budgeting.

4. Curbing Impulse Purchases

If you tend to shop without a plan, it can be easy to grab this and that without realizing how quickly these small costs can add up. A perfect example is going grocery shopping. But the same thing can happen if you are mindlessly browsing shops at the mall or online.

Making a list — and sticking to it — whenever you shop can help you avoid overspending. If you see something you really want but you weren’t planning to buy, it can be a good idea to put the purchase on pause for a day or two.

Once you have a cool head and a fresh perspective, you can then ask yourself if you’ll actually use this item and if you can afford it, meaning you can pay cash for it now. If not, it may be a good idea to skip it.

5. Thinking About Larger Spending Cuts

There are only so many lattes you can skip or cents per gallon you can save by heading to the cheaper gas station around the corner. So when you’re trying to find places to save money in your budget, you may also want to think bigger.

For example, you might decide to ditch your car in favor of biking to work — a move that means you save not only what you’d be spending on gas each month, but also insurance, registration, and likely a monthly car payment. (And you might even be able to ditch your gym membership, with all that moving around!) Or, you might consider moving to a less-trendy neighborhood or getting a roommate to help split the rent and other household expenses.

While lifestyle changes might be harder to enact up front, once you commit to them, they can help you save large amounts of money on a regular basis.

6. Automating Your Savings

Building an emergency fund and saving for future financial goals are key steps toward fiscal wellness. So once you have graduated from being at risk of overdrafting your accounts, a great next step can be to automate your savings.

That means setting up an automatic transfer of money from your checking account (or wherever your money is deposited) to one or more accounts designated for saving. This can be done on a monthly (or bimonthly) basis, and can be timed to happen right after your paycheck hits.

If saving is a chore that you have to remember to do every month, you may get busy and forget. Why not let technology do the heavy lifting for you?

7. Bringing in More Income

Do you feel like you’re cutting back on spending as much as possible but not getting anywhere? You may need to work on earning more money.

How exactly you go about this goal is up to you, of course. Maybe this means sitting down with a boss and creating a path towards earning more money. Or, it could mean picking up some freelance work in your profession, or starting a side hustle (like pet-sitting or signing up with a ride-share or delivery app).

8. Listing All of Your Debts

Many bad financial habits are born from the easy access consumers have to money that isn’t theirs — and the need to pay those debts back, with interest.

As with budgeting, the first step in conquering your debts is knowing exactly what you’re up against. To get the big picture, you may want to create a computer spreadsheet (or just make a chart with pen and paper) and then list each source of debt that you currently hold.

This includes student loans, credit cards, car loans, and any other debts you may have. You may also want to include the loan servicer, the size of the debt, the interest rate, and the amount and date of the monthly payment on each debt.

9. Knocking Down Debt One at a Time

If you’re paying the minimum on more than one high interest credit card, you may want to focus on getting rid of one entirely. It could be the debt with the highest interest rate, or it might be the smallest overall balance to give you the psychological victory of kicking a source of debt to the curb.

Whichever one you choose, you can then put as much extra money as you can towards the balance (principal) of that debt, while paying the minimum amount due on all the others. Once you pay that debt off, you can move on to the next one.

10. Avoiding More Credit Card Debt

Getting better at managing your money can be hard to do when you’re adding to your credit card balance. Credit cards are notoriously difficult to pay back when you’re only making the minimum payments and can be nearly impossible if you’re doing that while adding to the balance.

So, you may want to use your newfound money management skills to find ways around going further into credit card debt. Maybe there are more cuts that can be made to your budget or some overall shifts in lifestyle that could help. No matter how you do it, it can be helpful to focus on spending only the money you actually have.

11. Contributing More to Your 401(k)

You might think saving for retirement is something you don’t really need to focus on until you’re older. But the truth is that the earlier you start saving for retirement, the easier it will generally be to save enough to retire well. That’s thanks to the magic of compounding interest, which is when the interest you earn on your money earns its own interest.

If your company offers a 401(k), it can be a good idea to contribute at least a small percentage of each paycheck. If your employer offers matching funds, you may want to take full advantage of this perk by contributing the max amount your company will match.

Recommended: When to Start Saving for Retirement

The Takeaway

You don’t have to master all of the above concepts right away. Becoming a person who is “good with money” is a journey. Start with one area and move on to the next as you feel you have mastered each financial tool.

One simple step that can make it easier to manage your money is to find the right banking partner, one who can help you with tools for tracking and managing your cash.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall. Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

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SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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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An internshipship is an opportunity to work in a field that interests you, gain valuable work experience, enhance your college resume, and possibly even earn some extra money.

While internships are more commonly available to college students, it may be possible to get an internship when you’re still in high school.

Read on to learn more about high school internships, including how they work, their pros and cons, and how to find one.

What Is the Purpose of an Internship?

An internship is a temporary position that’s often related to a student’s academic field of study or career interests. It offers students a chance to apply lessons learned in the classroom in a professional setting, while also developing additional skills. Internships also give students an opportunity to make connections in their field of interest and determine if they want to pursue further study and a career in that area. Internships also give employers the opportunity to discover and develop future talent.

💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders help you pay down your student loans sooner with reward points you earn along the way.

The Duties of an Intern

The duties of an intern vary from job to job. For example, those interning at a doctor’s office might shadow medical professionals and take notes on patient visits. Those interning at a marketing firm might sit in on marketing meetings and assist in any communication needs.

An internship experience can be somewhat similar to an entry-level employee position. However, there is typically an educational component. The point is to learn more about the career path, not just get coffee or file the office mail (though you may be asked to do this, too).

Recommended: Is Getting A Degree In Marketing Worth It?

Pros and Cons of High School Internships

There are plenty of pros when it comes to getting internship experiences in high school. For one, an internship allows you to learn about a particular career path without having to commit to a lifelong job.

Learning about a path early on could help you determine whether you want to go to college (rather than directly enter the working world) and help you decide what you’d like to study in school.

Another pro of completing an internship in high school is gaining new experiences and skills. An internship allows you to learn from professionals and add relevant skills to your resume. This can give you a leg up in applying for jobs in the future.

And, of course, all this experience and new learning make for excellent items to add to any potential college applications.
A potential downside to seeking an internship in high school is that they can be hard to find. In addition, the position may not be paid, and might be time-consuming, taking time away from other obligations like homework, studying for SATs, and applying to college.)

Recommended: What is the Hardest Year of High School?

Finding the Right Internship

Finding the perfect internship is a wholly personal experience. A good first step is to consider your interests in both the near and far term. By thinking about career paths you might be interested in, you might identify internship opportunities around you.

However, not every young person knows, or believes they know, exactly what they want to do in the future. But you may have a general interest. For example, if your favorite class is English, an internship at a local newspaper may make sense. If you’re interested in nature, an internship with a local parks and recreation group may make a good fit.

If you’re a high schooler, make a shortlist of interests and sit down with a parent or guardian to identify careers that may fit within these bounds.

Next, it’s time to identify a few companies you might be interested in interning with. Search around for companies near you that may be taking interns. From there, check out career pages on the individual companies to see if they have internship listings. If they don’t, try emailing the company to get in touch with the human resource (HR) department to see what may be available.

One quick tip: While researching and reaching out about internships, make sure to stay realistic about the time commitment. If an internship takes place during the school year, you may only be available in afternoons. Ensure the hiring manager knows the hours you’re available before committing to any long-term work.

Recommended: 10 Ways to Prepare for College

Resources to Find Internships in High School

While there isn’t any centralized listing location for internships for high school students, there are still plenty of places to find information on opportunities.

Schools: You can reach out to school resources like guidance counselors, principals, and individual teachers who may know of companies worth looking into.

Individual companies: Again, seek out information from company websites and reach out to human resource departments to see what may be available.

Job search websites: Check out job search websites, such as Linkedin and Indeed, and search for “Internships in [specific field here].” Make sure to search by location to ensure the internship is nearby.

Friends and family: This is the simplest tip — just ask around. Friends and family members are the ultimate social and work network. Make it known you’re looking for an internship and ask people for their advice on just where to look.

Recommended: College Planning Guide for High School Students

Questions to Ask Before Accepting an Internship

After figuring out your interests, asking your network, and finding an internship opportunity, you may think the work is done. However, there are still a few more questions to ask.

Before accepting an internship offer, make sure to ask about the full details. What are the hours? What can you expect to learn while on the job? What are the specific job duties and how will you be evaluated along the way? Will there be opportunities for mentorship? And finally, one of the most important questions: Is the internship paid?

💡 Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

Scoring a paid internship isn’t a guarantee, but it’s not a completely far-fetched idea either. If a paid internship isn’t available, you can always ask about an exchange for class credit. Unpaid internships are a hotly contested issue so just make sure to do whatever feels right and comfortable for your situation.

Also keep in mind that even a paid internship likely won’t pay enough to make a major dent in your college expenses (though it can help).

If you’re concerned about how you and your family will pay for the cost of tuition, a good first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with your family. This will let you know if you are eligible for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. If those do not cover your costs, you may also consider private student loans.

Private student loans are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment plans and deferment or forbearance — that automatically come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

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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.

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.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Attending community college is often a much more affordable choice than going to a four-year public or private university. Students and parents can save money both on tuition as well as travel and living expenses, especially if the student lives at home. This can translate into taking out smaller student loans and paying them off sooner after graduation.

Going to a community college also comes with other benefits. Here’s a closer look at why a college-bound student might consider choosing a community college.

What Is a Community College?

A community college, also known as a junior college or two-year college, provides a two-year course of study that either ends with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. Alternatively, it can provide the equivalent to the freshman and sophomore years of a four-year college, since credits can typically be transferred and used towards a bachelor’s degree.

Community colleges are located throughout the U.S. and come in varying sizes. You can find large community colleges with multiple campuses in urban and suburban areas, as well as small community colleges in rural settings.

Many community colleges also have technical and vocational programs with close links to local high schools, community groups, and employers.


💡 Quick Tip: Private student loans offer fixed or variable interest rates. So you can get a loan that fits your budget.

Benefits of Attending a Community College

Here’s a look at some of the advantages of going to a community college vs. a four-year college or university.

A Smoother Transition

The transition from high school to college can be challenging, but attending a community college can be easier for some people.

Community college classes are generally smaller and less intimidating. If you prefer smaller class sizes and not having to walk across a large campus daily with thousands (or tens of thousands) of students, then a community college may feel less overwhelming.

Transferring to a four-year college could also be easier for students who have taken classes from a community college.

If you are thinking about using community college as a stepping stone to a four-year school, you may want to find out if the school has a transfer relationship with any four-year colleges, and what GPA and grades are needed to successfully transfer.

If the school doesn’t have a relationship with a college you’re considering, you’ll want to make sure that the credits earned will count at that college.

Flexibility

One reason that many students opt for community college is the flexibility. You can typically take as many classes as you want, and it can vary from semester to semester.

Community colleges also give students the option to enroll when they want, unlike four-year universities, where you typically need to enroll by early fall.

Rolling admissions give students more flexibility in planning their studies, especially if they are working part time or need to save money to pay for tuition and books. The community college website will include key deadlines and requirements, such as transcripts from high school or another college, and any prerequisite classes.

The schedules at community colleges also tend to be more flexible, often allowing a student to work during the day and take classes in the evening.

A Possible Bachelor’s Degree

A growing number of states are allowing some community colleges to offer bachelor’s degree programs. This means students do not always have to transfer to another college after taking classes the first two years. While many of the degrees are focused on a particular industry or skill, community colleges are adding more degree options.

Obtaining a four-year degree at a community college could save a student the time of researching other universities and colleges, transferring credits, having to move, and potentially accruing more student loan debt.

Community colleges are updating the type of degrees offered to meet the needs of the workforce and often include ones in information management, nonprofit management, and health care.

Recommended: A Guide to Choosing the Right College Major

Price Tag

Community college tuition is typically significantly lower than tuition at public and private universities. Some states even offer free community college.

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of tuition at an in-district community college is $3,400 per year. For out-of-state students, the average community college tuition is $8,210.

For comparison, yearly tuition at a public university averages $9,678 (for in-state students) and $27,091(for out-of-state students). The average student at a private college or university spends a total of $55,840 per academic year living on campus, $38,768 of it on tuition and fees.

Even if you don’t live at home while attending community college, you may be able to find housing that is less costly than living in a dorm or an off-campus apartment in a college town. Plus, taking classes at a nearby community college gives you the flexibility to work part time and earn some income you can use to cover your college expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.

Financing a Community College Education

You can cover the cost of community college (and potentially two additional years at a traditional college after that) using a combination of savings, help from family, financial aid, and loans.

A great first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will let you know if you are eligible for financial aid, which includes grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans (which may be subsidized or unsubsidized).

You can also help pay for your community college tuition by working at a part- or full-time job while taking classes in the evenings.

If you still have gaps in funding, you may want to look into getting a private student loan. These are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment plans and Public Service Loan forgiveness — that automatically come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

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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.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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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Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.

If you’re on the standard 10-year repayment plan and your federal student loan payments are high relative to your income, a student loan income-based repayment plan may be an option for you.

New changes to the plans, including a new plan called SAVE that was introduced by the Biden Administration, will reduce many borrowers’ payments. Read on to learn whether income-based student loan repayment might be right for your situation.

What Is Income-Based Student Loan Repayment?

Income-based student loan repayment plans were conceived to ease the financial hardship of government student loan borrowers and help them avoid default when struggling to pay off student loans.

Those who enroll in the plans tend to have large loan balances and/or low earnings. Graduate students, who usually have bigger loan balances than undergrads, are more likely to enroll in a plan.

The idea is straightforward: Pay a percentage of your monthly income above a certain threshold for 20 or 25 years and you are eligible to get any remaining balance forgiven. (The SAVE plan would forgive balances after 10 years for borrowers with original loans of $12,000 or less.)

By the end of 2022, 45% of Direct Loan borrowers were enrolled in an income-based repayment plan, according to Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education. But borrowers have often failed to recertify their income each year, as required, and are returned to the standard 10-year plan.


💡 Quick Tip: Often, the main goal of refinancing is to lower the interest rate on your student loans — federal and/or private — by taking out one loan with a new rate to replace your existing loans. Refinancing makes sense if you qualify for a lower rate and you don’t plan to use federal repayment programs or protections.

4 Income-Driven Student Loan Repayment Plans

While people often use the term “income-based repayment” generically, the Department of Education calls them income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. There are four.

•   Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)

•   Income-Based Repayment (IBR)

•   Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

•   Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), which replaces the previous Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan

Your payment amount is a percentage of your discretionary income, defined for IBR and PAYE as the difference between your annual income and 150% of the poverty guideline for your family size.

For the SAVE plan, discretionary income is the difference between your annual income and 225% of the poverty line for your family size. This new plan could substantially reduce borrowers’ monthly payment amounts compared to other IDR plans.

For the ICR plan, discretionary income is the difference between your annual income and 100% of the poverty guideline for your family size.

For IBR, PAYE, and SAVE the payment is generally 10% of your discretionary income. Changes to SAVE that are scheduled to go into effect in July 2024 would lower payments to 5% of discretionary income for undergrads, and expand the pool of borrowers making $0 monthly payments.

For ICR, the payment is the lesser of these: 20% percent of discretionary income or what you would pay on a repayment plan with a fixed payment over 12 years, adjusted using a formula that takes income into account.

Parent PLUS borrowers may access ICR if they consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Got it? But wait; there’s more. Note the number of years in which consistent, on-time payments must be made and after which a balance may be forgiven, as well as who qualifies.

Plan	Monthly Payment	Term (Undergrad)	Term (Graduate)	Who Qualifies
ICR	20% of discretionary income (or income-adjusted payment on 12-year plan)	25 years	25 years	Any borrower (this is the only plan that includes parent PLUS Loan holders if they consolidate)
IBR	15% of discretionary income (but never more than 10-year plan)	25 years	25 years	Borrowers who took out loans before July 1, 2014
Newer IBR	10% of discretionary income (but never more than 10-year plan)	20 years	20 years	Borrowers who took out their first loans after July 1, 2014
PAYE	10% of discretionary income (but never more than 10-year plan)	20 years	20 years	Borrowers who took out first loan after Sept. 30, 2007, and took out a new loan or consolidated existing loans after Sept. 30, 2011
SAVE	Currently 10% of discretionary income, with no cap (will be lowered to 5% in July 2024)	Currently 20 years (starting in July 2024, it will be 10 years for borrowers with original loan balances of $12,000 or less)	25 years (starting in July 2024, it will be 10 years for borrowers with original loan balances of $12,000 or less.)	Any borrower

How Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Works

In general, borrowers qualify for lower monthly loan payments if their total student loan debt at graduation exceeds their annual income.

To figure out if you qualify for a plan, you must apply at StudentAid.gov and submit information to have your income certified. Your monthly payment will then be calculated. If you qualify, you’ll make your monthly payments to your loan servicer under your new income-based repayment plan.

You’ll generally have to recertify your income and family size every year. Your calculated payment may change as your income or family size changes.


💡 Quick Tip: When rates are low, refinancing student loans could make a lot of sense. How much could you save? Find out using our student loan refi calculator.

What Might My Student Loan Repayment Plan Look Like?

Here’s an example:

You are single and your family size is one. You live in one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia. Your adjusted gross income is $40,000 and you have $45,000 in eligible federal student loan debt.

The 2023 government poverty guideline amount for a family of one in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia is $14,580, and 150% of that is $21,870. The difference between $40,000 and $20,385 is $18,130. That is your discretionary income.

If you’re repaying under the PAYE plan or if you’re a newer borrower with the IBR plan, 10% of your discretionary income is about $1,813. Dividing that amount by 12 results in a monthly payment of $151.08.

Under the SAVE Plan, however, your discretionary income is the difference between your gross income and 225% of the poverty line, which comes out to $32,805. The difference between $40,000 and $32,805 is $7,195, which is your discretionary income; 10% of your discretionary income is about $720. That amount divided by 12 results in a monthly payment of $60.

Under the ICR plan, if your income is $40,000 and 100% of the poverty guideline is $13,590, your discretionary income is $26,410. If you qualify to pay 20% of your discretionary income, your monthly payment would be about $440.

The Federal Student Aid office recommends using its loan simulator to compare estimated monthly payment amounts for all the repayment plans.

Which Loans Are Eligible for Income-Based Repayment Plans?

Most federal student loans are eligible for at least one of the plans.

Federal Student Aid lays out the long list of eligible loans, ineligible loans, and eligible if consolidated loans under each plan.

Of course, private student loans are not eligible for any federal income-driven repayment plan, though some private loan lenders will negotiate new payment schedules if needed.

Pros and Cons of Income-Based Student Loan Repayment

Pros

•   Borrowers gain more affordable student loan payments.

•   Any remaining student loan balance is forgiven after 20 or 25 years of repayment; and, as of July 2024, after 10 years of repayment for those in the SAVE plan with original loan balances of $12,000 or less.

•   An economic hardship deferment period counts toward the 20 or 25 years.

•   The plans provide forgiveness of any balance after 10 years for borrowers who meet all the qualifications of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

•   The government pays all or part of the accrued interest on some loans in some of the income-driven plans.

•   Low-income borrowers may qualify for payments of zero dollars, and payments of zero still count toward loan forgiveness.

•   New federal regulations will curtail instances of interest capitalization and suspend excess interest accrual when monthly payments do not cover all accruing interest.

Cons

•   Stretching payments over a longer period means paying more interest over time.

•   With some IDR plans negative amortization may occur when your loan payment is less than the new interest that accrues that month, causing the total balance to grow. However, with the SAVE, PAYE, or IBR plans, if your monthly payment amount doesn’t cover all of the interest that accrues on your loans, the government will pay all or a portion (the amount depends on the plan) of the remaining accrued interest due each month. With SAVE, for instance, the government will pay all of the interest that isn’t covered by your payment.

•   Forgiven amounts of student loans are free from federal taxation through 2025, but usually the IRS treats forgiven balances as taxable income (except for the PSLF program).

•   Borrowers in most income-based repayment plans need to recertify income and family size every year.

•   On some plans, if a borrower gets married and files taxes jointly, the combined income could increase loan payments. (This is not the case with the SAVE Plan.)

•   The system can be confusing to navigate.

Student Loan Refinancing Tips From SoFi

Income-driven repayment plans were put in place to tame the monthly payments on federal student loans for struggling borrowers. For instance, the new SAVE Plan offers the lowest monthly payments of all IDR plans. (Those who have private student loans don’t qualify for IDR plans.)

If your income is stable and your credit is good, and you don’t need federal programs like income-driven repayment plans or deferment, refinancing your student loans is an option. (To be clear, refinancing federal student loans makes them ineligible for federal protections and programs like income-driven repayment and loan forgiveness for public service.) With refinancing, the goal is to pay off your existing loans with one new private student loan that ideally has a lower interest rate.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

Is income-based repayment a good idea?

For borrowers of federal student loans with high monthly payments relative to their income, income-based repayment can be a good idea. Borrowers may want to check out the new SAVE Plan, which provides the lowest monthly payments of all the income-driven repayment options.

What is the income limit for income-based student loan repayment?

There is no limit. If your loan payments under the 10-year standard repayment plan are high for your income level, you may qualify for income-based student loan repayment.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of income-based student loan repayment?

The main advantage is lowering your monthly payments, with the promise of eventual loan forgiveness if all the rules are followed. A disadvantage is that you have to wait for 10, 20, or 25 years depending on the plan you’re on and how much you owe.

How does income-based repayment differ from standard repayment?

With the standard repayment plan, your monthly payments are a fixed amount that ensures your student loans will be repaid within 10 years. Under this plan, you’ll generally save money over time because your monthly payments will be higher. With income-based repayment, your monthly loan payments are based on your income and family size. These plans are designed to make your payments more affordable. After a certain amount of time ranging from 10 to 25 years, depending on the plan, any remaining balance you owe is forgiven.

Who is eligible for income-based repayment plans?

Under the new SAVE plan, any student loan borrower with eligible student loans can participate in the plan. With the PAYE and IBR plans, in order to be eligible, your calculated monthly payments, based on your income and family size, must be less than what you would pay under the standard repayment plan. Under the ICR plan, any borrower with eligible student loans may qualify. Parent PLUS loan borrowers are also eligible for this plan.

How is the monthly payment amount calculated in income-based repayment plans?

With income-based repayment, your monthly payment is calculated using your income and family size. Your payment is based on your discretionary income, which is the difference between your gross income and an income level based on the poverty line. The income level is different depending on the plan. With the SAVE Plan, for instance, your discretionary income is the difference between your gross annual income and 225% of the poverty line for your family size.

For IBR, PAYE, and SAVE your monthly payment is generally 10% of your discretionary income. Changes to SAVE that are scheduled to take place in July 2024 would reduce your payments to 5% of your discretionary income.

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SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.

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.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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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