The Best Student Loans of May 2022 - MrLiambi's blog

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Thursday 5 May 2022

The Best Student Loans of May 2022

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College costs are overwhelming for a lot of families. So students turn to student loans to cover them. Most students, following expert recommendations, start with federal student loans, but those aren't always enough to cover costs.

When federal student loans don't cut it, you can turn to private student loan lenders to fill in the gap.

Unlike federal student loans, private student loans offer a variety of options for interest rates, loan amounts and terms that could make picking one daunting. So we've pulled together a list of some of the best student loans available to make it easier for you to compare and vet your options.

Federal student loans have been in the news a lot lately as the U.S. Education Department has

Keep reading below the table for more details on every lender, plus all the information you need to find the college funding plan that's right for you and your family.

Interest rates accurate as of late April 2022 and subject to change. Variable rates listed are margins added to a base rate such as LIBOR or SOFR, which could add around 0.30% to 1%.

Best Student Loans at a Glance

Lender Variable APR with Autopay Fixed APR with Autopay Loans for

Credible

0.94% â€" 11.98%

3.02% â€" 14.08%

Undergrad and grad, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Earnest

Starting at 0.94%

Starting at 2.99%

Undergrad and grad
SEE DETAILS

College Ave

0.94% â€" 11.98%

3.24% â€" 12.99%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Sallie Mae

1.13% â€" 11.23%

3.50% â€" 12.60%

Undergrad, grad and career training
SEE DETAILS

SoFi

1.05% â€" 11.78%

3.47% â€"11.16%

Undergrad and grad, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Ascent

.47% â€" 11.31%

4.36% â€" 12.75%

Undergrad, grad, career training and bootcamp
SEE DETAILS

LendKey

Starting at 1.57%

Starting at 3.99%

Undergrad and grad, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Citizens Bank

n/a

3.48% â€" 10.78%

Undergrad and grad, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

PNC Bank

Starting at 1.09%

Starting at 2.99%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Purefy

1.74% â€" 7.24%

2.43% â€" 7.94%

Refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Sparrow

0.99% â€" 11.98%

2.99% â€" 12.99%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Student Loan Authority

n/a

2.99% â€" 4.61%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Chicago Student Loans

n/a

7.53% â€" 8.85%

Undergrad (juniors and seniors)
SEE DETAILS

Funding U

n/a

7.49% â€" 12.99%

Undergrad
SEE DETAILS

Discover

1.79% â€" 11.09%

3.99% â€" 11.59%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Splash Financial

1.74 â€" 8.27%

1.99% â€" 8.27%

Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing
SEE DETAILS

Credible

Best for Comparing Loan Rates
starstarstarstarhalf star
4.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Compares rates from top lenders
  • See multiple offers without hard credit check
  • Variable APR as low as 0.94%
Through Credible's loan marketplace, you can fill out an application to see pre-qualified rates for multiple lenders in one place. Select options that work for you, like deferred or interest-only payments while you're in school, fixed or variable rates, and loan terms that fit your plan. Once you choose a loan offer, you can finish your application and sign your loan agreement with the lender directly.
Credible
Variable APR
0.94% â€" 11.98%
Fixed APR
3.02% â€" 14.08%
Loans for
Undergrad and grad, refinancing

Earnest

Best for Flexible Repayment Options
starstarstarstarstar
5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • 9-month grace period
  • Skip one payment/year
  • Pay monthly or every two weeks
Earnest offers an easy-to-use, modern platform to find loans for undergrad, grad school and professional degrees with a nine-month grace period before beginning repayment after school. Loans come with an option to defer one payment every 12 months with no extra fees or interest. Apply online, and get an offer within 72 hours.
Earnest
Variable APR
Starting at 0.94%
Fixed APR
Starting at 2.99%
Loans for
Undergrad and grad, refinancing

College Ave

Best for Affordable In-School Repayment
starstarstarhalf starempty star
3.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Variable APR as low as 0.94%
  • Parent and cosigned loans available
  • 4 repayment options
College Ave is a mainstay in student loans and refinancing. Apply for loans to cover undergrad, grad and professional degrees, and career training programs. The online application is quick and easy, and borrowers tout the company's customer service, so you'll be on top of your loan from application to repayment. Choose how you repay while you're in school to save money and fit your budget.
College Ave
Variable APR
0.94% â€" 11.98%
Fixed APR
3.24% â€" 12.99%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Sallie Mae

Best for College Financial Planning
starstarempty starempty starempty star
2 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Faster applications for returning borrower
  • Scholarships available
  • Credit cards and banking options
Sallie Mae is a private lender and platform for financial products for students. The business no longer originates or services federal loans, as it's most known for. Apply for private student loans, credit cards and savings accounts designed for students. With Multi-Year Advantage, returning borrowers have fast applications and high approval rates to make it easier to get your money each year.
Sallie Mae
Variable APR
1.13% â€" 11.23%
Fixed APR
3.50% â€" 12.60%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training

SoFI

Best for SoFi Banking Clients
starstarstarstarempty star
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • No fees
  • Unemployment protection
  • Earn rewards to repay loans faster Summary
SoFi is well known for student loan refinancing, and it offers other types of loans including in-school student loans with no hidden fees. As a SoFi member, you get access to perks, including subscriptions to products like Grammarly, Evernote and Coursera, to support your education. With unemployment protection, you get forbearance on loans for up to three-month increments if you lose your job.
SoFi
SoFi Logo
Variable APR
1.05% â€" 11.78%
Fixed APR
3.47% â€"11.16%
Loans for
Undergrad and grad, refinancing

Ascent

Best for Graduated Repayment
starstarstarstarempty star
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Graduated repayment available
  • Hardship repayment options
  • Bootcamp loans available
Ascent offers student loans and scholarships for your full academic career. Apply online with no application fees to see your prequalified rates without a hard credit check. Use loans to pay for everything from a traditional undergrad or grad program to career training and even career-boosting bootcamps.
Ascent
Variable APR
1.47% â€" 11.31%
Fixed APR
4.36% â€" 12.75%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad, career training and bootcamp

LendKey

Best for Loan Reconnaissance
starstarstarstarempty star
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Work with community banks and CUs
  • Student loans and refinancing options
  • Rates as low as 1.57%
LendKey is a student loan servicer and a platform for finding the best student loan and refinancing options from partner community banks and credit unions. LendKey's platform streamlines the process, so you get the benefit of working with a community-oriented institution without the headache of multiple application processes.
LendKey
Variable APR
Starting at 1.57%
Fixed APR
Starting at 3.99%
Loans for
Undergrad and grad, refinancing

Citizens Bank

Best for Citizens Bank Customers
starstarstarempty starempty star
3 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Loyalty discounts
  • Cosigner release option
  • Multi-Year Approval
Citizens Bank is an established financial institution with more than 40 years of experience providing student loans and other financial services. With multi year approval, you can get approved for new loans year after year with a faster application and no hard credit check. Citizens Bank customers can get an interest rate discount up to 0.25 percentage points.
Citizens Banks
Citizens Bank Logo
Variable APR
n/a
Fixed APR
3.48% â€" 10.78%
Loans for
Undergrad and grad, refinancing

PNC

Best for Undergraduate Loans
starstarhalf starempty starempty star
2.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Established traditional bank
  • Cosigner release option
  • Student loans and refinancing options
PNC Bank is one of the largest banks in the United States, with nearly 200 years of experience in financial services. Student loans and refinancing are among its vast services. The PNC Solution Loan is designed specifically for undergraduates, to bridge the gap when federal student loans don't cover all your expenses. It also offers graduate and professional loans.
PNC Bank
PNC Logo
Variable APR
Starting at 1.09%
Fixed APR
Starting at 2.99%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Purefy

Best for Refinancing Student Loans
starstarstarempty starempty star
3 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Student and parent loan refinancing
  • Compare multiple lenders
  • No hard credit check
Purefy is for anyone out of school, repaying student loans and looking for ways to save money. Use the platform to compare student loan refinancing options from multiple lenders side-by-side. The platform is free to use, and you can see prequalified rates in minutes. You can refinance private or federal loans through its partner lenders.
Purefy
Variable APR
1.74% â€" 7.24%
Fixed APR
2.43% â€" 7.94%
Loans for
Refinancing

Sparrow

Best for Easy Student Loan Repayment
starstarstarstarempty star
4 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Compare offers from multiple lenders
  • App to automate loan repayment
  • Manage private and federal loans
Sparrow is a platform for student loans, refinancing and repayment in one place. You can fill out a single application to see prequalified offers from multiple partner lenders for private loans or refinancing. Then use the app to manage and automate repayment of your private and federal student loans in one place.
Sparrow
Variable APR
0.99% â€" 11.98%
Fixed APR
2.99% â€" 12.99%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority

Best for Income-Driven Repayment
starstarstarstarstar
5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Income-based repayment available
  • Fixed interest rates
  • Less-than-halftime students eligible
RISLA is a nonprofit organization offering student loans and refinancing for borrowers all over the U.S. Its loans have more borrower protections than most private student loans: You have income-driven repayment options, a fixed interest rate and two repayment terms to choose from (10 or 15 years). Limited loan forgiveness is even available for students who complete internships.
Rhode Island Student Loan Authority
Variable APR
n/a
Fixed APR
2.99% â€" 4.61%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Chicago Student Loans

Best for Equitable Lending
starstarstarstarhalf star
4.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Merit-based approval and interest rates
  • No cosigner needed
  • Income-based repayment options
Chicago Student Loans by A.M. Money works with limited schools around the Midwest, but if your school is eligible, this is a great option for equitable lending. Approval and interest rates are determined based on your academic achievement, not your credit or income. And income-based repayment plans are available if you can't afford your monthly payment.
Chicago Student Loans
Variable APR
n/a
Fix APR
7.53% â€" 8.85%
Loans for
Undergrad (juniors and seniors)

Funding U

Best for Merit-Based Lending
starstarstarstarstar
5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Approval by GPA and non-credit factors
  • No cosigner needed
  • More than 1,000 eligible schools
Funding U makes undergraduate loans based on a student's GPA, not their family's credit history. It uses a credit check to set interest rates, but also factors in your GPA and year in school â€" the rate goes down as you progress nearer to graduation! Funding U works with more than 1,460 nonprofit colleges and universities.
Funding U
Variable APR
n/a
Fixed APR
7.49% â€" 12.99%
Loans for
Undergrad

Discover

Best for Rewards for Good Grades
starstarstarhalf starempty star
3.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • No origination or late fees
  • Cash reward for good grades
  • Variable APR as low as 1.79%
In addition to its full suite of financial services, Discover offers student loans for undergrads, grad students and professional degrees with no origination or late fees. You'll get rewarded for good grades: Get a 1% cash reward for each new loan if you have a GPA of at least 3.0 for the term(s) the loan covers.
Discover
Variable APR
1.79% â€" 11.09%
Fixed APR
3.99% â€" 11.59%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Splash Financial

Best for Refinancing Undergrad and Med School Loans
starstarstarstarhalf star
4.5 out of 5 Overall
Key Features
  • Compare offers from multiple lenders
  • No origination fees or prepayment penalties
  • Exclusive interest rates from partner lenders
Splash Financial lets you compare in-school student loans and student loan refinancing (and personal loans) from multiple lenders with a simple and quick online application. In addition to its search function, Splash partners with its lenders to offer exclusive interest rates â€" with fixed rates as low as 1.99% â€" to help you get the best deal possible.
Splash Financial
Variable APR
1.74 â€" 8.27%
Fixed APR
1.99% â€" 8.27%
Loans for
Undergrad, grad and career training, refinancing

Types of Student Loans

The first thing you need to know before applying for any student loans is the difference between federal and private student loans. These two types of loans are treated differently and offer significantly different options for repayment and forgiveness down the line, so know what you're signing up for before you borrow.

Federal Student Loans

Federal student loans are backed by the U.S. government and make up the vast majority of student loans borrowed every year in the country.

Application: You apply for federal loans along with other types of federal student aid for college through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a form you fill out every year to demonstrate your family's financial situation. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) approves basic undergraduate loans and grants based on financial need, not creditworthiness, so students can apply for federal financial aid without a cosigner.

Types of loans: The government makes four types of student loans: Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS for parents or graduate students, and Federal Perkins Loans for students with exceptional financial need. It also awards grants and work study awards based on financial need. PLUS loans are granted based on creditworthiness, but might still be easier to get than some private loans.

Interest rates: Federal student loan interest rates are standard and not based on a borrower's credit history. Congress sets them each year for loans disbursed that year, and you keep that rate for the life of your loan. For example, the interest rate for 2021 was 3.73% for Direct undergraduate loans, 5.28% for graduate student loans and 6.28% for PLUS loans.

Repayment plans: The required repayment for federal student loans starts six months after leaving school (or going less than half time), and the standard repayment plan splits monthly payments evenly over 10 years. Subsidized loans don't accrue interest while you're in school, while unsubsidized loans do.

Federal student loans are originated and serviced by private institutions, but they're backed by a guarantee from the federal government, so ED sets repayment terms. You can opt into a graduated payment plan or income-driven repayment, both which would extend your time to repay and could give you a more affordable monthly payment (as little as $0).

Only federal loans are eligible for forgiveness under programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and for national forbearance periods like we've seen during the pandemic. The pause on loan payback has been extended six times since the start of the pandemic.

Refinancing options: Even though you receive one lump payment (if you get a refund) each semester, you might have multiple student loans to your name. You can combine them with a Direct Consolidation Loan, a student loan consolidation option creates one balance and one monthly payment, and sets the interest rate at the average of all the loans. This isn't a money-saving step, but could make repayment simpler.

You can also refinance federal student loans using a private refinancing option, which could save you money if you have strong credit and can keep up with payments. This would pay off your federal loan balances and replace them with a private loan. It removes the repayment and forgiveness options that come with federal loans.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans are consumer loans made by private banks, credit unions and financial institutions. They're treated differently from other types of private loans, but don't come with as much flexibility as federal loans.

Application: You apply for private student loans directly with the lender or servicer providing the loan. Lenders approve loans based on creditworthiness, just like other credit products, so you have to have a strong credit history or apply with a creditworthy cosigner to be approved. Most (but not all) lenders include an option to release the cosigner after a few years of steady payments.

Types of loans: Private student loan lenders typically offer student loans for undergraduate students, graduate students and professional degrees. Some also offer loans for career training or alternative education like bootcamps. The loans all offer the same basic terms, but interest rates and loan amounts usually vary based on the degree covered.

Interest rates: Private student loan interest rates are set based on creditworthiness and can range from less than 1% to 12% or more depending on the prime rate. Fixed rates are set when you take out a loan and stay the same for the life of the loan, while variable interest rates fluctuate up and down when the Fed adjusts the prime rate.

Repayment plans: Private lenders don't offer the same amount of protection in repayment as the federal government, but they usually offer a variety of repayment options so you can choose a plan that helps you save money without being overwhelmed by payments. You usually get to choose whether to pay off interest and/or principal while in school, or defer all payments until six months or more after school.

Many private lenders offer forbearance options of a few months at a time, so you can pause payments due to financial hardship without defaulting on your loan. They don't, however, offer income-driven repayment, so your monthly payment is unaffected by your ability to pay it.

Private student loans aren't eligible for forgiveness under federal plans, but you might be able to discharge them in bankruptcy under limited circumstances.

Refinancing options: If your financial situation improves, you can apply to refinance your student loans with the same or a different private lender. This pays off your existing loans and replaces them with a new loan with better terms, like a lower interest rate or lower monthly payments.

Should You Take out a Federal or Private Student Loan?

Nearly every expert will tell you to use private student loans as your last resort to pay for school. First exhaust free funding, like grants, scholarships and work study. Then take on federal student loans. Then, if your costs aren't covered, take out private student loans to fill the gap.

That's because private loans are the riskiest of all those options.

Federal student loans may be subsidized to save on interest, and they come with flexible repayment plans that offer relief when your income is low. And they're eligible for forgiveness for student loan borrowers who qualify. Most private loans don't have those options.

However, private student loans could come with significantly lower interest rates than federal student loans if you have good credit. Federal loans come with standard rates between 3% and 7% and don't reward good credit (or punish bad credit).

After exhausting free funding, the most ideal route is to borrow a subsidized federal loan â€" which won't accrue interest while you're in school â€" then consider refinancing once the repayment period starts, you've built a strong credit history and feel confident in your ability to make monthly payments for the term of the new loan.

Even most private student loan lenders encourage borrowers to look into federal funding before taking out a private loan while you're in school. They're generally designed to fill gaps for students who aren't eligible for enough in federal student loans to cover their costs to attend college.

Student Loan Costs to Consider

When you evaluate private student loan offers, you'll probably focus on the interest rate, because that has a significant impact on the long-term cost of the loan. But there are other costs to consider.

Before accepting any loan offer or signing the agreement, make sure you know how much you'll pay (if anything) in these common costs:

  • APR: Annual percentage rate is commonly called the interest rate (though they're a little different). It's usually the most prominently advertised feature of student loans. Student loan interest rates tend to fall between 3% and 11% and can be fixed or variable â€" the latter means they'll change with the prime rate. A higher credit score can get you a lower interest rate and vice versa.
  • Origination fee: Some lenders charge a fee to receive your loan, though that's less common with student loans than other types of loans. Origination fees are usually around 2% or 3% of the loan amount. They come out of the amount disbursed to the school, so you likely won't notice them unless you're very particular about math.
  • Late fee: Most loan agreements come with a fee for late payments, usually a percentage of the payment due. Many student loan lenders are doing away with late fees and building in options for flexible repayment, so shop around to compare your options!

What Is a Cosigner?

A cosigner is someone who shares the responsibility of a loan with the borrower. If you â€" the borrower â€" can't qualify for a loan on your own because of bad credit or no credit, you could apply with a cosigner with good credit to qualify.

You receive the funds, but you both bear responsibility for repaying the loan, and repayment or default impacts both credit scores.

Cosigners are common for private student loans, because many people entering college are young and have almost no credit history. You can cosign with a parent, guardian or other creditworthy person, who basically guarantees the loan in case you don't repay.

Student loans often come with an option for cosigner release, so the cosigner doesn't have to stay tied to the loan for years after the student's left school and gone off on their own. Cosigners can usually be released after around 12 to 36 months of on-time payments, with proof of the borrower's income.

Who Can Take out a Private Student Loan?

Any student can usually apply for a student loan from a private lender, but creditworthiness determines whether you'll be approved.

Lenders generally have basic requirements for student loans, as well, including:

  • You must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting institution.
  • You must be the age of majority in your state (usually 18 or 19).
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or resident.

Some lenders make exceptions for these, though. For example, Ascent offers a Bootcamp Loan, which wouldn't come with the enrollment requirement. Some lenders also make loans for international students who aren't U.S. residents.

How to Get a Private Student Loan

Follow these steps to apply for a private student loan.

  • Weigh your options. Before turning to private loans, fill out a FAFSA to see your options for federal financial aid. This doesn't commit you to taking out a federal loan, and it has no affect on your credit score; it just gives you all the information you need to make a decision. If federal aid won't cover your costs, look into private loans.
  • Find a cosigner. If you don't have strong credit, get a cosigner on board before you apply. Use a site like Credit Sesame or Credit Karma to check your credit score and history for free to see where you stand.
  • Get pre-qualified. Lenders let you fill out a little information about yourself â€" usually all online â€" and run a soft credit check to give you an idea of the interest rate and loan terms you could qualify for. That lets you compare offers before submitting to a hard credit inquiry that impacts your score. Marketplaces like Credible and LendKey let you see and compare several pre-qualified offers with one application.
  • Choose a lender. Choose the loan offer that looks like the best fit for you, and finish your application with the lender. You can usually do this part all online, too. The lender will run a hard credit check and might need more information from you, like proof of income. You could get a decision as soon as the same day or after a few days, depending on the lender's process.
  • Accept your loan. Once approved, you can review and sign your loan agreement â€" remember to note any fees! â€" and accept your funds. Lenders send student loan funds directly to your school to pay for tuition and fees, and the school will send you a refund for any extra amount.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Student Loans

We've rounded up the answers to some of the most common questions about where to get the best private student loans.

What Type of Loan is the Best Value to Students?

Which student loan options are best for you depends on your family's financial situation. Private student loans can be an optimal option financially, because of potentially low interest rates and short repayment terms. But they're only available to students with good credit or creditworthy cosigners. Federal student loans are available based on financial need and come with a host of repayment and forgiveness options that could protect low-income borrowers in the long run.

What Type of Student Loan Has the Lowest Interest Rate?

Private student loans can have interest rates as low as 1% but might be as high as 12% or more, depending on your credit. Federal loan rates are set by Congress for all borrowers and fall around 3% to 5% for undergraduate loans. If you (or your cosigner) have good credit, a private student loan could get you the lowest interest rate.

What is the Biggest Student Loan You Can Get?

The size of your student loan depends on what kind of loan you take out. For private student loans, it's determined by your credit and the term of the loan you want. Some private lenders set caps on student loan amounts, and some will lend up to your full cost of attendance. For federal loans, your loan amount is determined based on your cost of attendance and expected family contribution. If you demonstrate financial need, your federal loan might go beyond tuition, and you could receive a refund to help cover living expenses. Undergrads can borrow a max of between $5,500 and $12,500 each academic year, and grad students can borrow up to $20,500. 

Contributor Dana Miranda is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® who has written about work and money for publications including Forbes, The New York Times, CNBC, Insider, NextAdvisor and Inc. Magazine.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.



Source : https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/debt/best-student-loans/?aff_id=178&aff_sub3=MainFeed__debt/best-student-loans/

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