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30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·
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Student loan refinance review

Earnest Student Loan Refinancing Review (2026)

Earnest earned 4.6 / 5 in our 2026 review. APRs run 4.99% to 9.74% on 5 to 20 years terms, with loan amounts $5,000 to $500,000. Best for graduates with stable income who want to lower a private loan rate.

By the Fintiex Loan Desk · Updated 2026-05-02
Check rates at Earnest Compare student lenders
TL;DR stats
APR range
4.99% to 9.74%
Loan amount
$5,000 to $500,000
Term range
5 to 20 years
Origination fee
None
Loan type
Refinance
Min credit score
650
Cosigner release
N/A
Forbearance
Available
Pros
  • +Precision pricing: pick exact monthly payment or payoff date
  • +Skip one payment per year with no penalty
  • +No origination fees, no late fees
  • +Forbearance available during financial hardship
  • +0.25% autopay discount
  • +Refinance both federal and private student loans
Cons
  • -Not available in Kentucky or Nevada
  • -Losing federal loan protections by refinancing
  • -Higher minimum credit score than some competitors

Rates and fees

APR range
4.99% to 9.74%
APR type
Fixed and variable
Origination fee
None
Late fee
None
Prepayment penalty
None
Loan amount range
$5,000 to $500,000
Repayment terms
5 to 20 years
Forbearance
Available
Minimum FICO
650

Variable APRs typically start lower than fixed but can rise over the life of the loan. The Federal Reserve recommends fixed rates for repayment plans longer than 5 years.

Who it is for

Earnest fits graduates with FICO 650+ (ideally 700+), stable W-2 or self-employed income, and only private loans (or federal loans you do not need income-driven repayment for). It is not a fit if you may need Public Service Loan Forgiveness, are early in a career with unstable income, or have a FICO below 650.

How to apply for a Earnest loan

Refinancing takes 15 to 30 minutes online. You will need a recent pay stub, last year's tax return, loan payoff statements for each loan you want to refinance, and a government ID. The Department of Education recommends getting a payoff quote from each current servicer before applying.

  1. 1.Pull payoff quotes from every current servicer to know your exact balances and payoff numbers.
  2. 2.Soft-pull prequalify on the Earnest site to see your estimated APR with no credit impact.
  3. 3.Compare against 2 or 3 other refinance lenders. The CFPB confirms rate shopping within 14 to 45 days does not extra-damage credit.
  4. 4.Submit the formal application with income docs. This triggers a hard inquiry that drops FICO 2 to 5 points.
  5. 5.Sign the agreement; Earnest pays off your old loans directly. Confirm the old loans show as paid before you stop making payments to those servicers.
Start a Earnest application

Frequently asked questions

Is the Earnest refinance loan a good choice?
Earnest earned 4.6 out of 5 in our 2026 review. APRs run 4.99% to 9.74% on 5 to 20 years terms with no origination fee. The product fits graduates with stable income and good credit.
What credit score do I need for a Earnest loan?
Earnest requires a minimum FICO of 650. The lowest advertised rate typically goes to applicants with 700+ FICO, stable income, and a completed degree. The CFPB recommends prequalifying with a soft pull before any formal application.
Should I refinance federal student loans with Earnest?
Only if you are sure you will not need federal protections. Refinancing federal loans into a Earnest private loan permanently eliminates access to income-driven repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and federal deferment. The Department of Education and CFPB both recommend keeping federal loans federal unless the rate savings clearly outweigh the lost benefits.
Does Earnest charge fees on a refinance loan?
Earnest charges no origination fee and no application fee, and no prepayment penalty. Late fees: none. The Federal Reserve recommends comparing APR rather than the headline interest rate, because APR rolls in origination.
What loan amounts and terms does Earnest offer?
Earnest refinance loans range from $5,000 to $500,000. Repayment terms are 5 to 20 years. Longer terms lower the monthly payment but increase total interest paid.
Does Earnest offer forbearance or hardship pause?
Yes. Earnest offers forbearance during financial hardship. Forbearance pauses payments but interest typically continues to accrue. The CFPB warns that forbearance should be a last resort because unpaid interest can capitalize and increase your total balance.
Loan payoff calculator
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Rates by credit tier
Realistic APR ranges for excellent, good, fair, and poor credit.

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Soft-pull prequalification takes about 5 minutes. No credit impact to look.

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