What Earnest offers.
Earnest is known for letting borrowers fine-tune the repayment term and payment amount. Use its current terms to compare total borrowing cost, not just the monthly number.
- Our ranking
- #1 of 4 in Student Loan Refinance
- Service type
- Private refinance
- Best for
- Flexible payment schedules
- Pricing
- Check current terms with the company
- Website
- earnest.com
- Last reviewed
Earnest pros and cons
Worth a look for
- Custom term lengths
- Repayment options spelled out
The catch
Rates, terms, and approval depend on your credit and income.
Earnest costs, terms, and who qualifies
Once a federal loan is refinanced into a private one, income-driven repayment, forgiveness programs, and federal forbearance are gone for good. Read the current Federal Student Aid guidance before you apply anywhere.
Before you commit to Earnest, ask for today’s terms in writing for the exact product or service you want. Pin down every one-time and recurring charge, who qualifies, which states are covered, and how you cancel or get out.
Who Earnest is for
Earnest belongs on your list if you’re looking at private refinance. Start with the fit above, then put its written terms next to the other companies in this category before you commit.
When someone else may be the better pick
Enter the same balance and term with each lender. Keep fixed and variable quotes in separate columns, and note any autopay discount baked into the headline rate. The rate in the ad is the floor, not the rate most people get.
Rates, terms, and approval depend on your credit and income. If that doesn’t suit you, look at the alternatives below before you go any further.
What to ask Earnest
- What will I have paid in total by the last payment?
- What are my options if I lose my job?
- Which federal protections disappear if I refinance?
- Can I get the full agreement and today’s terms in writing?
How we reviewed Earnest
We keep what a company says about itself separate from what we could verify. A company only gets a score once we’ve confirmed its identity, current terms, and real costs and run it through the category’s research process. Until then, no number.
See the student loan refinance methodologySources
Earnest: official siteBuilt from the publisher’s launch research dated October 1, 2026. Last reviewed . Account-specific terms change, so confirm them with the company.
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