The benefits of refinancing student loans always sound appealing, but the timing of this decision plays a large role. If you are in a position where some or all these factors are true, this might be the best time for you to explore refinancing:
- Your finances overall are in good standing
- You want, or need, to prioritize saving money month to month
- You are hoping for a lower fixed rate on your existing loan
- You hope to combine multiple loans into one payment
Where to Look
After you have determined that this choice is in the best interest of your current financial situation, and existing student loans, it is time to shop around. Since the timeline for refinance is generally self-determined you should not feel pressured to rush into any large decisions, like which lender to go through for example.
Shop around interest rates, loan terms, and lenders so that you are comfortable with the impending changes you will be responsible for. You can refinance your existing student loans with a private lender in order to save money on your monthly expenses. Ensuring that you are getting the best possible deal and encouraging the highest possible amount of savings is key here when deciding about which lender to use.
Compare Actual Rates
Managing your finances while creating good credit and a stable financial history is hard work, so do not risk a hit to your efforts by playing around with fake numbers. You can unlock rates from lenders and play around with estimates using a refi calculator and your exact data to understand what your new monthly payment will look like.
With interest rates constantly changing, this also gives you an opportunity to have some control over your eventual savings, by being in control of the timing on your refinance. What are your goals for refinancing? If you are hoping for a quicker payoff you will have to first determine if that is agreeable with your budget. If you are looking to lower your monthly payment to have some extra cash in your pocket every month, you must realize that this can result in paying more interest over time.
Qualifications
Certain qualifications are associated with applying to refinance your existing student loans with a private lender in order to save money on your monthly expenses. Your credit score is the assumed main factor, however debt to income ratio in some cases can be more impactful.
Be sure that your finances are in the best possible shape before you apply for a refi so that you can be viewed as a candidate in the most attractive light. These qualifications and requirements will be unique to each lender, which is another incentive for shopping options.
The addition of a cosigner can alleviate any concerns that a lender may have, since a cosigner acts as a safety net and added insurance for the bank. Using a cosigner simply means you are borrowing their good credit and financial history to secure better terms for yourself.
