Paying back student loans can be a challenge for anyone. That’s especially true if you had to leave college before completing the degree. Without that finalized degree, many lenders are unwilling to offer student loan refinancing options.
But some lenders are willing to help you refinance your student loans without a degree. And that’s great news! A refinance could be exactly what you need to manage your student loans more efficiently - whether by lowering your interest rate or extending your loan term.
If you are considering student loan refinancing without a degree, here’s a look at the top options.
Promo: If you already know that refinancing makes sense, and you're looking for the best place to compare options in 2 minutes with no credit check, we recommend Credible. As a bonus, College Investor readers get a up to a $1,000 gift card bonus!
Note: The refinancing offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The College Investor receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear - but we currently keep lenders alphabetical). The College Investor does not include all student loan companies or all student loan offers available in the marketplace.
Advantage Education Loans
Advantage Education Loan provides refinancing for loans starting at $7,500. When you refinance, you’ll need to make a minimum monthly payment of $50. The terms available include 10, 15, and 20 years.
With only fixed-rate loans available, you’ll find relatively attractive rates. Currently, you can get rates of 2.94% - 6.24% APR.
You can work with a co-signer to get approved for the loan. And there’s an easy release option if you make 12 consecutive on-time payments.
Advantage Education Loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
Read our full Advantage Education Loan student loan refinancing review here.
Advantage Education Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Advantage Education Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $7,500 |
Max Loan Amount | Varies On Qualification |
Fixed APR | 2.94% - 6.24% |
Variable APR | Not Available |
Loan Terms | 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at Advantage Education Loan through Credible.
Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is a traditional financial institution with a history that stretches back to 1828. But that history hasn’t stopped it from offering forward-thinking student loan options. That includes refinancing for those without a degree.
You can finance between $10,000 and $500,000 with Citizens Bank. Since they are a big bank, they typically offer some of the lowest student loan rates. In some cases, you can even qualify for APR discounts. The terms available include 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 years.
Citizens Bank student loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
Citizens Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Citizens Bank Student Loan Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $10,000 |
Max Loan Amount | $500,000 |
Fixed APR | 6.99% - 10.98% |
Variable APR | 7.29% - 12.43% |
Loan Terms | 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at Citizens Bank through Credible.
Discover
If you are looking for a fee-free transition, then Discover is a great option. You won’t encounter any application, origination, or late fees. Although the rates are a tad higher than others on this list, you can bring them down with a 0.25% rate reduction when you enroll in automatic payments.
You can ask a co-signer to help you qualify for a lower interest rate. But you’ll have to qualify for the refinance on your own.
Read our full Discover Student Loans review here.
Discover Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Discover Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $5,000 |
Max Loan Amount | $150,000 |
Fixed APR | 2.99% - 6.74% |
Variable APR | 1.99% - 5.74% |
Loan Terms | 10 and 20 Years |
Promotions | None |
Earnest
Earnest offers a unique ‘precision pricing’ option designed to help you choose a monthly payment that works for your budget. The loan amount range from $5,000 to $500,000. And you can pick a loan term between 5 and 20 years when refinancing with Earnest.
Refinancing rates offered by Earnest are very competitive. Although there are no cosigners allowed on these refinances, Earnest looks beyond your credit score when considering your loan application.
Earnest Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | Earnest Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $5,000 |
Max Loan Amount | $500,000 |
Fixed APR | 5.19% - 9.74% |
Variable APR | 5.99% - 9.74% |
Loan Terms | 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | None |
EdVestinU
Borrowers can refinance between $7,500 to $200,000 with EdVestinU. The loan repayment terms range from 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. Unfortunately, this option is off the table if you live in California, Oregon, or Washington.
As a non-profit, you’ll find a reasonable amount of flexibility in payments. Plus, you can earn a 0.25% rate reduction by signing up for automatic payments.
EdVestinU student loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
Read our full EdVestinU student loan review here.
EdVestinU Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | EdVestinU Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $7,500 |
Max Loan Amount | $200,000 |
Fixed APR | 5.24% - 10.99% |
Variable APR | 5.28% - 12.44% |
Loan Terms | 5, 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at EdVestinU through Credible.
InvestED
INvestEd is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing top-notch student loans to Indiana families. But you don’t need to be an Indiana resident to work with InVestEd. You can refinance your loans from anywhere in the country.
Borrowers can refinance between $5,000 to $250,000 in student loans with terms of 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.
InvestED student loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
Read our full InvestED student loan review here.
InvestED Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | InvestED Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $5,000 |
Max Loan Amount | $250,000 |
Fixed APR | 5.24% - 10.99% |
Variable APR | 5.28% - 12.44% |
Loan Terms | 5, 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at InvestED through Credible.
MEFA
MEFA, or the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, offers student loan refinancing for amounts starting at $10,000. The available loan terms are 7, 10, and 15 years. Most borrowers will need a reliable income and a strong credit score to work with MEFA.
If you work with MEFA, the repayment starts immediately. With that, don’t count on a grace period for your finances. Additionally, keep in mind that co-signers on the loan won’t have a release option.
MEFA student loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
Read our full MEFA student loan review here.
MEFA Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | MEFA Student Loan Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $10,000 |
Max Loan Amount | Total Outstanding Debt |
Fixed APR | 5.24% - 10.99% |
Variable APR | Not Available |
Loan Terms | 7, 10, and 15 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at MEFA through Credible.
NaviRefi
NaviRefi offers student loan refinancing for those who already have an existing Navient student loan. And, of course, you don't have to have completed your degree to qualify, you simply must already have a Navient student loan and have good credit.
Beyond that limitation, NaviRefi does offer very competitive rates and terms for qualified borrowers. They also have a variety of loan terms and loan types available.
Read our full NaviRefi student loans review here.
NaviRefi Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | NaviRefi |
Min Loan Amount | $5,001 |
Max Loan Amount | $500,000 |
Fixed APR | 4.96% - 9.74% |
Variable APR | 5.72% - 9.74% |
Loan Terms | 5 - 20 Years |
Promotions | None |
PNC Bank
PNC offers limited student loan refinancing opportunities for those without a degree. You’ll only be able to refinance between $10,000 to $25,000 if you don't reach graduation. But that might be exactly what you need!
Another restriction is that borrowers without a degree will only be able to refinance to 5, 10, or 15-year terms. If you need the boost of a co-signer, PNC allows that. And there is an easy co-signer release option after you make 48 consecutive payments.
Read our full PNC Bank student loans review here.
PNC Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | PNC Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $10,000 |
Max Loan Amount | $200,000 |
Fixed APR | 1.89% - 5.74% |
Variable APR | 1.86% - 6.01% |
Loan Terms | 5, 10, 15, and 20 Years |
Promotions | None |
RISLA
RISLA, or Rhode Island Student Authority, offers the opportunity to refinance between $7,500 to $100,000 in student loans. Although based in Rhode Island, the refinancing opportunities are available in all 50 states.
If you refinance with RISLA, there are helpful borrower protections in place. You’ll have access to income-based repayment, forbearance for up to 24 months, disability discharge, and loan forgiveness in case of death.
RISLA student loans are available on the Credible platform, where you can get a $1,000 gift card bonus when your loan closes.
RISLA Student Loans Details | |
|---|---|
Product Name | RISLA Student Loans Refinance |
Min Loan Amount | $7,500 |
Max Loan Amount | $100,000 |
Fixed APR | 5.24% - 10.99% |
Variable APR | Not Available |
Loan Terms | 5, 10, and 15 Years |
Promotions | Up To $1,000 Via Credible |
Get up to a $1,000 gift card bonus when you refinance at RISLA through Credible.
Bottom Line: Refinancing Without A Degree Is Possible
Refinancing could be the right move for your finance, depending on your situation. If you aren’t sure whether or not a refinance is in your best interest, take some time to decide before moving forward.
But if you know that locking a lower interest rate or smaller monthly payment is the right move, then don’t wait to move forward with refinancing your student loans.
Finally, you can find our full list of the best student loan refinancing lenders here, however, some of them may not offer loans if you don't have a college degree.
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him on the About Page or on his personal site RobertFarrington.com.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared toward anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ABC, NBC, Today, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.
Editor: Clint Proctor
