The best time to refinance your student loans is typically after graduation, when you've landed a job and established strong credit.
To be eligible to refinance at an attractive interest rate, you'll typically need a history of earnings and a credit score that gives lenders the confidence that you'll be able to repay your student debt.
If you don't qualify to refinance right after graduation on your own, you may be eligible with a creditworthy cosigner. Or, you can try again when your financial situation improves. If you earn a raise or manage to pay down credit card debt, your chances of qualifying will improve.
Many borrowers decide to refinance once they can qualify for lower interest rates than those on their existing loans. But some borrowers with variable-rate loans may choose to refinance into a fixed-rate loan with a higher student loan interest rate to avoid a potentially bigger increase in their interest rate and monthly payment.
Learn More: When to Refinance Your Student Loans
