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If you are considering refinancing a student loan, there are several lender options to choose from, including credit unions. Because credit unions are not-for-profit organizations, a credit union student loan refinance may come with lower interest rates than banks.
Here’s what you need to know about refinancing student loans with a credit union:
4 credit unions for refinancing student loans
Here are some credit unions that offer student loan refinancing. Note that PenFed is a credible partner lender.
| Lender | Fixed rates from (APR) | Variable prices from (APR) | Min. credit rating | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Tech Federal Credit Union | Check with the lender | Check with the lender | Check with the lender |
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| Federal Navy Credit Union | Check with the lender | Check with the lender | Check with the lender |
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| PenFed* | 2.89% + | N / A | 670 |
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| Credit union services | Check with the lender | Check with the lender | Check with the lender |
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All APRs reflect auto-pay and loyalty discounts where applicable |
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| * To note: This lender is a credible partner. | ||||
First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union offers student loan refinancing for private and federal student loans, including Parent PLUS loans.
Refinancing with First Tech might be a good option if you expect to earn more income in the future. You can start with lower monthly payments with the First Tech Balloon Loan or Interest-Only Loan, then make larger payments later.
Federal Navy Credit Union
With Navy Federal Credit Union, you can refinance private and federal student loans. Parents also have the option of combining loans for several children.
If you have a small income, refinancing with Navy Federal might be easier to qualify – you must earn at least $ 24,000 per year (or $ 1,200 if you have a co-signer).
PenFed
PenFed offers both fixed rate refinancing for any federal or private student loan. As of 2020, PenFed is also the only lender that allows spouses to refinance their loans together.
PenFed could also be a good option if you are looking for a short co-signer release period – you can apply for the co-signer release after 12 months of consecutive on-time payments.
Credit union services
If you graduated from a public or private non-profit school, you may be eligible to refinance your student loan with Service Credit Union. Refinancing your loans through Service Credit Union can be a good idea if you are looking for flexible repayment terms.
Learn more: When to refinance student loans
How to refinance student loans with a credit union
If you’re wondering how to refinance student loans with a credit union, follow these four steps:
- Shop and Compare Credit Unions: Make sure you compare as many credit unions as possible to find the loan that’s right for you. Consider not only interest rates, but also repayment terms and fees charged by the credit union. Remember that you will also need to join the credit union to be eligible for refinancing, so make sure you are eligible for membership.
- Choose the loan option you prefer: After comparing credit unions, choose the loan option that suits your needs.
- Complete the request: At this point, you will need to complete a full application and submit all required documents, such as pay stubs or tax returns. The lender will examine your credit and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to determine your eligibility and ability to repay the loan. Keep in mind that each lender has their own minimum credit score for refinancing.
- Sign for your loan: If you are approved for refinancing, you will need to sign up for the loan. Make sure you keep making payments on your old loans until your new loan is processed.
On the other hand, refinancing private student loans might be a good option. You may qualify for a lower interest rate on student loans through refinancing, which will lower the overall cost of your loan. Since private student loan forgiveness unfortunately does not exist, refinancing could be an easy way to pay off your loans more easily.
You can use our calculator below to see how much you can save by refinancing your student loans.
Step 1. Enter your loan balance
Step 2. Enter the current loan information
Step 3. Enter your new loan information to start calculating your savings
Lifetime savings
Increased lifetime cost
$
New monthly payment
$
Monthly savings
Increased monthly cost
$
If you are refinancing your student loan at
%
interest rate, you
can save
will pay extra
$
monthly and repay your loan in
. The total cost of the new loan will be
$.
Does refinancing make sense to you?
Compare offers from major refinance lenders to determine your actual savings.
Consult the personalized rates
Checking rates will not affect your credit score.
To verify:
How Credit Unions Are Different From Other Lenders
While credit unions may seem similar to banks and online lenders, there are also a few important differences to keep in mind.
| Credit unions | Banks | Online lenders | |
| For profit | No | Yes | Yes |
| Physical branches available | Yes | Usually yes | No |
| Site | Local or national | Local or national | At national scale |
| Banking services available | Yes | Yes | Depends on the lender |
| Online loan available | Depends on the lender | Depends on the lender | Yes |
One of the most positive things about credit unions is that they are not-for-profit organizations. Unlike banks and online lenders, credit unions operate primarily to serve their members. This means that credit unions could offer lower interest rates and lower fees than other lenders.
However, credit unions also have their own drawbacks. For example, credit unions are often smaller organizations, which means you might not take advantage of as wide a range of services as a bank.
They also sometimes lag behind online banks and online lenders specializing in technology and online user experience.
Learn more: Pay off student loans
Compare multiple lenders to get the best student loan refinance rate
Before refinancing your student loans, it is essential to consider as many lenders as possible to find the loan that is right for your needs. It will also help you get a rate that works best for you.
Advice: If you have already decided to refinance with a credit union, it is a good idea to research local credit unions in your area, as they may offer more perks and benefits.
You can also easily research your refinancing options through Credible. After filling out just one form, you can compare your prequalified rates with multiple lenders online, including PenFed, in two minutes.
See your refinancing options
Credible is 100% free!
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