It’s not uncommon to think of grad school as a fun and exciting time in your life. However, if you’re saddled with student loan debt, it can cause some concern.
Fortunately, refinancing student loans can save you money on interest charges over the long term. Here are some tips to help you find a lender that meets your needs:
➥ Shop around
Shop around. Many lenders are willing to offer you a favorable refinancing loan, so it’s worth your time to compare several different options before making your final decision. Make sure you ask about the loan’s interest rate, repayment plan options, and any other fees that may apply.
➥ Start with the best lenders
If you have a graduate student loan, there are certain things you need to consider before refinancing. The first one is reviewing all of your options. You want to make sure that the lender you choose offers the lowest rates and has the best terms for your situation.
Another thing to consider is customer service. Some lenders offer more perks like free credit monitoring and lower monthly payments than others, so it’s important to do some research beforehand so that when it comes time for refinancing, you’ll know what questions to ask!
➥ Look at any extra benefits
In addition to the interest rate, look at any other benefits that a lender offers. If you’re looking for a good deal on your student loans, you may want to consider refinancing with a company that offers free tax filing services or discounts on car rental insurance. These benefits can help you save money and make your life easier.
As per Lantern by SoFi, “The actual loan terms you get, including APR, depends on the lender you choose.”
➥ Budget wisely
You can’t afford to pay the bills, afford food and entertainment, and have money left over for anything else. The best way to ensure this is to make sure you have a budget that works for your lifestyle—not one that stresses you out or forces you into financial hardship.
There are many free online resources available that can help you get started with creating a budget (e.g., Mint), but another great way is by using software like Quicken or Microsoft Excel, which will allow you to track expenses and savings goals over time easily.
➥ Ask questions
You should ask a lender about their experience, customer service, and rates. You should also ask about their fees and complaints process.
Ask about the lender’s reputation. They may have a good reputation for being able to help you find the right loan at a competitive rate. They may have been working with students for many years and understand how to get your money into the best place possible.
You can also ask questions about their process for refinancing graduate loans. This will help ensure they’re familiar with your specific situation and know exactly what they need from you when requesting information or providing assistance with refinancing graduate loans.
There are a lot of lenders out there, and they can be hard to compare. But the best way to find the right one is by asking questions and comparing different offers. They’ve covered some good ones here, but there are plenty more out there too!
Just remember that it’s important that before you make any final decisions on which lender or lenders you’re going with, make sure they offer what you need and want as well as are able to provide enough information about their service-guaranteed loans.