Options for Student Loan Refinance Companies
There are two main types of student loan lenders: government lenders and private lenders.
* Government lenders are those lenders who issue loans backed by the US government. The Department of Education is one example of a government student loan lender. Other companies may be privately held companies or for-profit companies but may have an affiliation with the government that renders them quasi-governmental companies who grant government backed loans but who aren't directly a part of the government.
* Private lenders, on the other hand, issue private student loans that are not backed by the government. While these companies are still somewhat regulated by various student loan and lending laws, they are not affiliated with the government and thus may have looser requirements and regulations in regards to what interest can be charged, who can qualify for credit, and what the terms of their loans are.
Choosing the right student loan refinance companies depends a lot on your personal situation. Consider how much debt you have, and what types of loans you have. Government lenders, for example, will not allow you to refinance or consolidate private loans. Government lenders may have lower interest rates or more favorable repayment terms, but may only allow you to refinance Stafford Loans, Plus Loans, Teach grants and other government-issued or backed loans, so if you have private loans, this may not be an option.
It is also important to note that you can refinance and consolidate your existing loans with the same company who holds those loans. Student loan refinance companies are permitted to refinance to their own borrowers in order to alter or change the terms of the loan, and in some cases, this can save time in the refinance process and make refinancing your student loans easier.