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Parent PLUS Loans might be a good way for parents to help their child pay for school. However, these loans generally come with higher interest rates than other federal student loans, which can make them expensive to pay off.
The good news is that many private lenders will refinance Parent PLUS Loans, which could help you get a lower interest rate or even pay off the loan faster. You might even be able to refinance the loan into the child’s name, depending on the lender.
If you refinance your federal student loans, you’ll lose access to this forbearance as well as other benefits like income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.
Here are Credible’s partner lenders that offer refinancing for Parent PLUS Loans:
| Lender | Fixed rates from (APR) | Variable rates from (APR) | Loan terms (years) | Loan amounts | Can refinance into child's name? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 4.4%+ | 4.99%+ | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 | $10,000 up to $250,000 (depending on degree) | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.39%+1 | 6.66%+1 | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 | $10,000 to $500,000 (depending on degree and loan type) | Yes |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.99%+2 | 5.99%+2 | 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 | $5,000 to $300,000 (depending on degree type) | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.08%+3 | 5.03%+3 | 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 | Minimum of $10,000 | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.61%+4 | 7.6%+4 | 5, 10, 15, 20 | $5,000 - $250,000 | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 6.94%+ 7 | N/A | 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 | Up to $300,000 | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.5%+ | N/A | 7, 10, 15 | $10,000 up to the total amount of qualified education debt | No |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| 5.79%+ | N/A | 5, 10, 15 | $7,500 up to $250,000 (depending on highest degree earned) | No |
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| Compare personalized rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. 100% free! |
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All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2College Ave Disclosures | 5EDvestinU Disclosures | 3 ELFI Disclosures | 4INvestEd Disclosures | 7ISL Education Lending Disclosures | 8Nelnet Bank Disclosures |
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Learn more about Credible’s partner lenders
Brazos
If you’re a Texas resident, Brazos might be a good option for refinancing. With Brazos, you can refinance $10,000 up to $400,000, depending on the student’s degree.
However, keep in mind that if you want to refinance Parent PLUS Loans into your child’s name, you’ll need to consider other lenders.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 0.25% autopay discount
- No application, origination, or disbursement fees
- Competitive rates
Cons
- Might not qualify if you have poor or fair credit
- Only available in Texas
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
Citizens
With Citizens, you can refinance $10,000 to $750,000 (depending on degree and loan type). You can also refinance Parent PLUS Loans into your child’s name.
Also keep in mind that if you already have an account with Citizens, you could get 0.25% off your rate — and another 0.25% discount if you sign up for autopay.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 0.25% autopay discount
- 0.25% loyalty discount
- Can refinance Parent PLUS Loan into child’s name
Cons
- Doesn’t disclose minimum income or credit score requirements
- Long cosigner release period (36 months)
- Cosigner release not available on the Education Refinance Loan for Parents
College Ave
College Ave might be a good refinancing option if you’re looking for payment flexibility — you can choose from 16 repayment terms ranging from five to 20 years if you refinance with College Ave.
However, unlike some other lenders, College Ave doesn’t allow parents to refinance Parent PLUS Loans into their child’s name.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 16 repayment terms available ranging from five to 20 years
- 0.25% autopay discount
- Cosigner release offered after 24 months of consecutive, on-time payments
Cons
- Doesn’t disclose minimum income or credit score requirements
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
- Not available in Maine
Education Loan Finance
Education Loan Finance (ELFI) offers refinancing starting at $10,000 with no set maximum, which could be helpful if you have large loan balances. Keep in mind that while parents can refinance Parent PLUS Loans with ELFI, they can’t transfer the loans into their child’s name.
Additionally, parents who refinance parent loans are limited to repayment terms of five, seven, or 10 years.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- No loan maximum
- Variable rates capped at 9.95% APR
- Borrowers experiencing financial hardship could qualify for up to 12 months of forbearance
Cons
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
- Parent loan refinancing limited to repayment terms of five, seven, or 10 years
- Cosigner release not offered
INvestEd
With INvestEd, you can refinance $5,000 to $250,000 and can choose a repayment term from five to 20 years. Additionally, INvestEd offers up to 24 months of forbearance (in one- to three-month increments) to borrowers experiencing financial hardship.
This could be especially helpful if you lose your job or find yourself in a financial emergency.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 0.25% autopay discount
- Up to 24 months of forbearance available over the life of the loan (one to three months per forbearance period)
- Degree not required
Cons
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
- Long cosigner release period (48 months)
- Might be hard to qualify if you don’t have good credit or high enough income
ISL Education Lending
ISL Education Lending offers a variety of refinancing options — including the ability to refinance while you’re still in school. In addition to a standard repayment plan, it also provides a graduated repayment plan for borrowers who choose a 10-, 15-, or 20-year term (seven-year terms are eligible in some cases). This type of plan starts with low payments that gradually increase over time.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 0.25% autopay discount
- Can refinance while still in school
- Graduated repayment plan available
Cons
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
- Rates are sometimes higher than competitors
- Might be hard to qualify if you don’t have good credit
MEFA
With MEFA, you can refinance $10,000 up to your total amount of qualified education debt, which could make it a good option for high loan amounts.
However, keep in mind that MEFA refinancing is available only to students who attended public or nonprofit universities — if your loans were used to pay for a for-profit school, you’ll need to consider other lenders.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- No maximum loan limit
- Degree not required
- Competitive rates
Cons
- No discounts
- Cosigner release not offered
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
PenFed
PenFed is a unique refinancing lender: It’s the only lender that allows spouses to refinance their loans together, and it also allows parents to refinance Parent PLUS Loans into their child’s name. With PenFed, you can refinance $7,500 to $300,000 and can choose a repayment term from five to 15 years.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- Can refinance Parent PLUS Loan into child’s name
- Can consolidate loans with your spouse
- Short cosigner release period (12 months)
Cons
- Might be hard to qualify if you don’t have good credit or high enough income
- No discounts
- 20-year term not available
RISLA
The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) could be a good choice if you think you might face financial hardship — unlike other refinancing lenders, RISLA offers an income-based repayment (IBR) plan that caps your payment at 15% of your discretionary income.
Plus, if you make on-time payments for 25 years under this IBR plan, RISLA will forgive any remaining balance you might have.
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
Lowest fixed rate available from this lender
Lowest variable rate available from this lender
Minimum credit score needed to qualify
Range needed to refinance with this lender
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Pros
- 0.25% autopay discount
- Income-based repayment plan available
- Can defer payments for up to 36 months if you return to graduate school
Cons
- Can’t refinance Parent PLUS Loans into child’s name
- 20-year term not available
- Might be hard to qualify if you don’t have good credit or high enough income
Learn More: Private Student Loan Consolidation
Other student loan refinancing lenders to consider
There are also other lenders that offer student loan refinancing for Parent PLUS Loans. However, keep in mind that the lenders in the table below aren’t Credible parents, which means you won’t be able to compare them through Credible.
| Offers Parent PLUS Loan refinancing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: $249,000 Grad: $199,000 | No | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: $500,000 Grad: $500,000 | No | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: $249,000 Grad: $249,000 | Yes | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: None Grad: None | Yes | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: $99,000 Grad: $150,000 | No | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: No maximum Grad: No maximum | Yes | |
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Credible Rating
Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.
| Undergrad: None Grad: None | No | |
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How to refinance Parent PLUS Loans
If you’re ready to refinance Parent PLUS Loans, the process might vary depending on whether you’re the parent or the student who benefitted from the loan. Here’s how to refinance student loans in either situation:
As the parent
If you want to refinance Parent PLUS Loans you took out for your child’s education, follow these steps:
- Shop around and compare lenders. It’s a good idea to compare as many lenders as you can to find the right loan for you. Also keep in mind that while some lenders allow you to transfer Parent PLUS Loans into your child’s name, others don’t — this means you’ll likely have fewer lender options to choose from if you want to refinance the loan into your child’s name.
- Pick your loan option. After you’ve compared lenders, choose the loan option that best suits your needs.
- Complete the application. Once you’ve chosen a lender, you’ll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation they request, such as past loan statements, documents regarding your income and assets, or proof of graduation. If you’re refinancing the loan into your child’s name, your child might need to complete the application — be sure to double-check with the lender to see what’s required.
- Manage your loan payments. If you’re approved, be sure to keep up with payments on your old loan while the refinance is processed. Also consider signing up for autopay so you won’t miss future payments.
As the student
If you want to take over Parent PLUS Loans that you benefited from, follow these steps:
- Make sure you qualify. You’ll typically need good credit and verifiable income to qualify for refinancing. Before taking over a Parent PLUS Loan, make sure you can meet these requirements.
- Compare lenders and choose a loan option. Not all lenders allow PLUS Loans to be refinanced from your parent’s name to yours, so be sure to keep this in mind as you compare lenders. Also consider interest rates, repayment terms, and any fees charged by the lender. After comparing student loan refinance companies, choose the loan option you like best.
- Complete the application. To apply for refinancing, you’ll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation, such as tax returns, pay stubs, or student loan information.
- Prepare for your payments. If you’re approved, the Parent PLUS Loan will be paid off, leaving you with the newly refinanced loan to repay. Consider signing up for autopay so you won’t miss any payments in the future — many lenders even offer rate discounts if you opt for automatic payments.
Check Out: How to Release Your Cosigner in 4 Steps
How much you could save when refinancing Parent PLUS Loans
Refinancing your Parent PLUS Loans could help you save money and potentially pay off your loans faster. However, the exact amount you might save depends on several factors, such as your current interest rate as well as your credit.
Learn More: Student Loan Consolidation vs. Student Loan Refinancing
When you should (and shouldn’t) refinance student loans
While refinancing could be a smart move, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
Here are a few scenarios where refinancing might be a good move:
- You can get a better interest rate. Refinancing might get you a lower interest rate than you currently have, depending on your credit. This could save you money on interest charges over time — and might even help you pay off your loan ahead of schedule.
- You want your child to take over repayment of the loan. In some situations — such as if you’re nearing retirement or if your child has graduated and secured a solid job — you might want your child to take over responsibility for a Parent PLUS Loan. This is only possible through refinancing.
- You need a lower monthly payment. If you’re struggling to manage your student loan payments, you could opt for a longer repayment term through refinancing. This will likely lower your monthly student loan payment, lessening the strain on your budget.
Check Out: When Student Loan Refi Is a Good Idea and When to Reconsider
Here are a few situations where you might want to steer clear of refinancing:
- You can’t get a lower rate. If you already have a low interest rate on your student loan, then refinancing might not be worth it.
- You don’t want to lose your federal loan benefits. Parent PLUS Loans are a type of federal student loan, which means you have access to federal protections, such as deferment, forbearance, and other federal repayment options. Additionally, if you consolidate your Parent PLUS Loans, you could qualify for an income-driven repayment plan. However, if you refinance your PLUS Loans, you’ll lose access to all of these protections.
- You have poor credit. While some lenders offer refinancing for bad credit, these loans generally come with higher interest rates compared to good credit loans. If you have bad credit, it might be a good idea to work on building your credit before you apply for refinancing. This way, you’ll likely have an easier time getting approved and might qualify for better rates and terms.
Also keep in mind that you might get a lower rate if you opt for a shorter repayment term when refinancing. It’s generally best to choose the shortest repayment term you can afford to save the most you can on interest over the life of your loan.
You can estimate how long it’ll take to pay off your student loan debt using the calculator below. Use the slider to see how increasing your payments can change the payoff date.
Enter loan information
If you increase your payments by $ monthly on your $ loan at %, you will pay $ a month and pay off your loan by Jan 2021.
Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.
Checking rates won’t affect your credit score.
Learn More:
How to get the best interest rate when refinancing Parent PLUS Loans
Here are a few tips that could help you secure a good rate when refinancing Parent PLUS Loans:
- Improve your credit score. To get the best rates possible, you’ll typically need good to excellent credit. If you have poor or fair credit, it could be a good idea to spend some time building your credit to qualify for better rates in the future. A few potential ways to do this include making on-time payments on all of your bills, paying down credit card balances, and avoiding new loans when possible.
- Apply with a cosigner. If you’re struggling to get approved for refinancing, applying with a cosigner could improve your chances. Even if you don’t need a cosigner to qualify, having one could get you a lower interest rate than you’d get on your own.
- Compare lenders. Rates vary from lender to lender. Be sure to compare as many lenders as you can to find an interest rate that works for you.
Check Out: How Often Can You Refinance Student Loans?
Compare more rates from:
- Lenders that refinance student loans
- Lenders that refinance medical school loans
- Lenders that refinance law school loans
- Lenders that allow you to refinance student loans without a degree
- Lenders that refinance MBA loans
Methodology: Credible evaluated loan and lender data points in 12 categories to identify some of the “best companies” for refinancing Parent PLUS loans that also offer refinancing in the student’s name. We looked at interest rates, repayment terms, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service availability, and maximum loan balances offered by 20 lenders. We also considered each company’s willingness to refinance parent loans, eligibility, cosigner release options, whether the minimum credit score is available publicly, and whether consumers could request rates with a soft credit check.
Credible receives compensation from its lender partners when a user of the Credible platform closes a loan with the lender.
Read the full student loan refinancing lender methodology.
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