How to Pay Off $30,000 in Student Loans

Brazos offers refinancing loans to Texas residents who have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an eligible school. There are no origination or application fees, and interest rates could be lower than what you find with other private lenders. 

However, some borrowers may find that Brazos has relatively strict eligibility requirements. Borrowers must have a minimum income of $60,000 and a credit score of 720 or higher. If you can’t meet those minimums alone, you can add a cosigner that can be released after 24 on-time consecutive payments.

Undergraduate and graduate students can refinance their student loans with SoFi® if they meet eligibility requirements. You can prequalify for a loan in two minutes without affecting your credit score, and the lender offers both fixed and variable rates. Plus, SoFi offers unique benefits to its members, including access to networking events and financial advisers.

SoFi requires a minimum loan balance of $5,000 to refinance. While you can add a cosigner to your application, you will not be able to remove them. You can find out your potential rate through prequalification, but the lender doesn't disclose its minimum credit score or income requirements.

ELFI offers student loan refinancing to borrowers who graduated with a bachelor's degree or higher. Borrowers can even refinance their parents' PLUS loans in their own name. Plus, each ELFI borrower gets paired with a student loan adviser to help them through the refinancing process.

While borrowers can add a cosigner to their application, they can't release that cosigner later on. ELFI also doesn't offer rate discounts, but borrowers can apply for a forbearance of up to 12 months if they're experiencing financial hardship.

LendKey is a marketplace that connects borrowers with more than 300 community banks and credit unions to find the best student loan refinancing options. Unlike most lenders, LendKey allows you to refinance your student loans while you're still in school, as long as you've earned at least an associate degree.

One of LendKey's biggest advantages is that it can help you compare multiple loan offers in one place. However, specific loan terms and eligibility requirements will vary by lender. Basic eligibility criteria include a minimum credit score of 680 and at least $5,000 in outstanding debt to refinance.

INvestEd is a nonprofit based in Indiana that offers student loan refinancing to borrowers nationwide. It offers competitive rates and a discount for setting up autopay. INvestEd also allows cosigners to be released after 12 on-time payments, which is sooner than some other student loan refinancing lenders.

However, the most you can refinance through INvestEd is $250,000, less than what other lenders may allow. It also has strict credit and income requirements to qualify, or you'll need an eligible cosigner. INvestEd clearly defines its credit requirements before you apply, but you can't prequalify with a soft credit check.

Citizens student loan refinancing is available to qualified borrowers who want to refinance at least $10,000.

Borrowers who earned undergraduate degrees can refinance as much as $300,000 in student loans. Those who borrowed for graduate or professional degrees can refinance from $500,000 to $750,000. Citizens refinancing loans are available with fixed or variable rates. Repayment terms are flexible, ranging from five to 20 years.

Medical residents can refinance student loans and only pay $100 per month for up to four years while completing residency or fellowship.

EdvestinU offers student loan refinancing through Granite Edvance Corporation, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit. The lender stands out with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms for borrowers with strong credit. To qualify, you'll need a credit score of at least 700 and an annual income of $30,000 for loans less than $100,000 or $50,000 for larger amounts. However, loans aren't available in all U.S. states.

Unlike many lenders, EdvestinU lets you refinance without a degree or while still enrolled in school. New Hampshire residents also receive a 1.5 percentage point interest rate reduction, making it an excellent option for those in the state.

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) is a student refinancing lender offering a wide range of options, including to borrowers who didn't finish school. Though the lender doesn't offer variable-rate options, its fixed-rate loans have competitive rates.

MEFA's mission is to provide affordable student loans, and it doesn't charge any fees. You must have at least $10,000 in student loans to refinance, and you must have made a minimum of six consecutive on-time payments over the last six months. Borrowers who are unable to qualify on their own can add a cosigner to their application.

The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a nonprofit lender offering student loan refinancing to borrowers across the U.S. You can refinance even if you didn't complete your degree, as long as you have at least $7,500 in student loan debt.

What makes RISLA unique is the flexibility it offers borrowers. If you're facing financial difficulties, RISLA provides income-based repayment options to help manage your payments. For added relief, you can access up to 24 months of forbearance, which is more than many lenders offer. If you return to graduate school, you can defer your payments for up to three years, giving you time to focus on your studies without worrying about loan payments.