Earnest Student Loan Refi Review (2026)
Rates, fees, customer service, and who this lender is best for — plus a built-in payoff calculator so you can run your own numbers.
Earnest Student Loan Refi
Underwriting-driven online lender known for granular term customization and strong-borrower rates.
- Established
- 2013
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA
- Funding speed
- Typically 5-10 business days, with a 9-month grace-period option for new grads
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Quick facts
| Loan types | Federal & private refinance, Variable, Fixed, Custom 5-20 year terms |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | 650 |
| Variable APR range | Approximately 5.10% – 9.99% APR (with autopay, as of early 2026 — confirm at earnest.com) |
| Fixed APR range | Approximately 4.96% – 9.99% APR (with autopay, as of early 2026 — confirm at earnest.com) |
| Eligibility | U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 18+ in a state where Earnest is licensed (most but not all states), with a graduating degree (some exceptions). Minimum profile: 650+ FICO, $35K+ in savings or income trajectory, no recent bankruptcy. |
| Best for |
|
Pros
- ✓No origination fees, no prepayment penalty, no late fees
- ✓Granular term customization — choose any duration in months between the floor and ceiling
- ✓9-month grace period available for recent grads (almost no other refi lender offers this)
- ✓Skip-a-payment option — once a year you can defer one monthly payment without penalty
- ✓Soft credit pull for prequalification
- ✓Underwriting goes beyond FICO to consider savings and income trajectory
Cons
- −Refinancing federal loans into Earnest is permanent — federal IDR/PSLF protections are forfeited
- −Strict on credit and income documentation; moderate-credit borrowers may not approve
- −Doesn't refi Parent PLUS loans into the parent's name (some other lenders do)
- −Not licensed to refi in every state — check the eligibility map first
Rate competitiveness
Earnest's data-driven underwriting frequently produces some of the lowest published rates for strong-credit, high-income-trajectory borrowers. Borrowers with thinner files may be quoted higher than at SoFi or marketplace partners.
Fees
Earnest charges no origination fee, no prepayment penalty, and no late fees. The only cost is the interest the rate sheet quotes.
Customer service
Earnest's website and dashboard are widely praised for clarity. Phone-based service is solid; the company outsources some servicing to a third party post-funding, which occasionally shows up in reviews.
Bottom line
Earnest rewards strong borrowers who can document income and savings — its granular term customization and 9-month grace period are unique benefits. If your credit profile is borderline or you want a marketplace experience, start with Credible instead and consider Earnest as one of the lenders you'll see there.
Run your numbers before you apply
Plug your balance, rate, and target payment into the calculator below to see what your payoff timeline would look like at the kind of APR Earnest Student Loan Refi typically quotes.
Loan details
Principal vs interest
- Principal$35,000
- Interest$12,565
Earnest Student Loan Refi FAQ
Is Earnest Student Loan Refi a legitimate student-loan refi lender?
Yes. Earnest Student Loan Refi is an established, regulated lender (or marketplace) headquartered in San Francisco, CA and operating since 2013. Like any lender, the right answer for you depends on rate, fees, and service — which is why we always recommend comparing at least two or three offers before locking.
What credit score do I need to qualify with Earnest Student Loan Refi?
Earnest Student Loan Refi publishes a minimum credit score of around 650. Real underwriting also weighs income, employment, and debt-to-income — borrowers near the published minimum often need other strong factors to qualify at the best rates.
Are Earnest Student Loan Refi's rates competitive?
Earnest's data-driven underwriting frequently produces some of the lowest published rates for strong-credit, high-income-trajectory borrowers. Borrowers with thinner files may be quoted higher than at SoFi or marketplace partners.
What fees does Earnest Student Loan Refi charge?
Earnest charges no origination fee, no prepayment penalty, and no late fees. The only cost is the interest the rate sheet quotes.
Will I lose federal protections if I refinance with Earnest Student Loan Refi?
Yes — refinancing federal loans into any private lender, including Earnest Student Loan Refi, is permanent and forfeits PSLF, IDR plans (PAYE/SAVE/IBR/ICR), and federal forbearance/deferment protections. Private-to-private refis don't have this risk because there were no federal protections to begin with.
Who is Earnest Student Loan Refi best for?
Earnest Student Loan Refi is best for: Strong-credit borrowers willing to provide detailed income and savings docs; Borrowers who want a custom term (e.g., 7 years 4 months); Anyone who values a 9-month payment-pause grace period. Borrowers outside those profiles should still get a quote and compare against at least one marketplace alternative.
How do I compare Earnest Student Loan Refi against other refi lenders?
Get a soft-pull prequalified rate from Earnest Student Loan Refi and at least two other lenders within the same shopping window. Compare APR (not just rate — APR includes the autopay discount and any fees), term length, and any cash-out features. Use the calculator on this page to model the monthly payment for each scenario.
Compare other refi lenders before you decide
Always pull at least two competing offers — even a 0.25% rate difference saves real money over a 10-year refi term.
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- ✓Soft credit pull only
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- ✓Free, no obligation
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Modern, fully online refi with a 2-minute application and member benefits.
- ✓100% online application
- ✓Soft pull for prequalified rates
- ✓No fees on most refis
Specialist Refi Lender
A student-loan-only refi lender that consistently posts some of the lowest rates available.
- ✓Student-loan-only specialist
- ✓No application or origination fees
- ✓Flexible 5-20 year terms
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