Earnest Student Loan Refinancing Review

By Mentor Staff | Edited By Mentor Staff

Updated On September 6, 2024

Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.

How do we make money? The products featured on this website are from our partners who compensate us. This may impact which companies we review, the products we evaluate, and where and how a product appears on a page. We receive compensation from a partner when you apply for and receive a product through Mentor. This helps us to support our website, offer free content, tools and calculators, and continue to be one of the leading sources on personal finance.

Earnest is one of the most reputable and well-known student loan refinancing lenders. Earnest is best for borrowers with good credit who want student loan payment flexibility as well as flexible loan terms.

In this Earnest student loan refinance review, we will discuss:

Earnest student loan refinance: Rating

Best For: Earnest is the right choice for borrowers who want to customize their student loan repayment so they can pay off student loans faster.

Earnest student loan refinance: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Customize your student loan payments and loan terms.
  • Fast approval process.
  • No late fees.
  • Ability to skip one student loan payment every 12 months.
  • Refinance even if you have an incomplete bachelor’s or associate’s degree 

Cons:

  • Student loan refinancing not available in Kentucky and Nevada.
  • No option to apply with a cosigner.

Earnest student loan refinance: Overview

Earnest is a leading, innovative student loan lender based in San Francisco. Earnest allows you to choose your own student loan interest rate matched to your loan term. Earnest also offers industry-leading repayment flexibility on its student loans. For example, you can choose your exact minimum monthly payment and student loan terms. You can also increase your payments and make extra payments to pay off your student loans faster.

Earnest prefers borrowers with a history of financial responsibility, stable income and minimal credit card or personal loan debt. Earnest’s underwriting process evaluates more than your credit score. Earnest also incorporates savings, education and earnings potential.

Advantages of Refinancing With Earnest

Here is what we like about Earnest:

  • Customize your student loan payments and loan terms.
  • You can choose to make bi-weekly payments to save money on interest.
  • You can increase your payment anytime to pay off your student loans faster.
  • You can skip a payment and make it up later.
  • Earnest looks beyond credit score to approve you for student loan refinancing, and will incorporate savings, education and earnings potential.

Drawbacks of Refinancing With Earnest

Earnest can improve in these key areas:

  • Expand student loan refinancing to all 50 states.
  • Allow borrowers to apply with a cosigner.

Earnest student loan refinancing review: Details

Is Earnest right for you?

Earnest has an excellent reputation and is a trusted student loan refinancing leader. Earnest caters to borrowers with good to excellent credit and high income. The average Earnest member earns enough income to pay student loans, other debt obligations and monthly living expenses. 

Finally, Earnest wants to ensure that you make all your student loan payment each month on-time, and do not have any delinquencies or bankruptcies. Earnest members need to have a strong financial and credit profile, since you can’t apply with a co-signer.

Let's mentor your money

Get the latest personal finance advice delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter Subscription