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If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a traditional house, you might consider buying a mobile home. The price of a mobile home (also known as a manufactured home) is typically much lower than a standard single-family home. Plus, these homes aren’t necessarily temporary. These days, factory-made homes can be just as permanent as houses that are built on-site. They can also be customized in many of the same ways as a traditional home.

While mobile homes don’t always qualify for a traditional mortgage, there are several types of financing that can help make buying a factory-built home more affordable. Read on for a closer look at the process of buying — and financing — a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.

What is the Average Cost of a Mobile Home?

According to the Census Bureau’s February 2022 Manufactured Housing Survey, the average price of a new manufactured home is $128,100.

More specifically, the average price for a single-wide mobile home is $89,200 and average for a double-wide mobile home is $160,400.

However, mobile home prices can vary significantly by region. The highest prices tend to be in the Northeast, where the average cost of a new mobile home is $107,000 for a single-wide and $167,800 for a double-wide.

The lowest prices are typically in the South, where the average price for a single-wide is $88,200 and average cost of a double-wide is $157,900.

In the West, a single-wide mobile home averages $92,800 and a double-wide averages $170,000, while in the Midwest, a single-wide mobile home averages $85,300 and a double-wide averages $158,800.

Recommended: How to Budget for Buying A House

Differences Between a Mobile Home, Modular Home, and Manufactured Home

The terms mobile home, manufactured home, and modular home are often used interchangeably. While all three refer to homes built in a factory rather than on-site, there are some differences between them. Below, we break it down.

Mobile Home

A mobile home is a prefabricated home built on a permanent trailer chassis that was constructed prior to June 15, 1976. That is when the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enacted the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act. After that date, new safety standards went into effect, which led to a new designation for these homes.

Manufactured Home

Like a mobile home, a manufactured home is built almost exclusively in a factory rather than on-site. However, these homes were built after June 15, 1976, when HUD put new safety standards into effect for mobile homes and changed the name of these structures from “mobile” homes to “manufactured” homes.

Another difference between mobile and manufactured homes is that manufactured homes typically are not moved after assembly. That said, it is possible to move a manufactured home if it has a pier and beam foundation. Manufactured homes need to not only meet HUD standards but also local building standards for the communities where they will be located.

Recommended: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Manufactured Home?

Modular Homes

Like mobile and manufactured homes, modular homes are built in a factory and shipped to the land where they will be set up. However, modular homes are often delivered in two or more modules (hence the name) that are then put together on-site by a contractor.

Modular homes are not designed to be relocated and are placed on a permanent foundation. Once put together, these homes have a lot in common with on-site built homes. They may have a basement and/or crawlspace, come in a variety of layouts, and can be one or two stories.

Like manufactured homes, modular homes must adhere to local building codes.

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Things To Consider When Buying a Mobile Home

To find the best mobile home for your needs, here are some things to keep in mind.

Location

As with any home purchase, location is key. You can install your mobile home on land you already own, or purchase land for your mobile home. In either case, you’ll want to make sure that local zoning regulations allow for the installation of mobile homes and that the local utilities are able to connect a mobile home.

Another location option is to rent a plot of land in a mobile home community. If you find a community you like, it’s a good idea to find out what their restrictions are for home size and features before you buy a mobile home.

Size

Mobile homes are usually classified by their width. A single-wide is slightly under 15 feet wide and around 70 feet long. A double-wide mobile home is usually the same length but double the width — around 30 feet wide.

Due to their long, narrow shape, single-wide homes have fewer floorplan options and can work best for individuals or couples. Double-wide homes offer more space, as well as design options, and can be ideal for larger families.

Keep in mind that larger homes will, of course, be more expensive and also require a larger lot.

New vs Used

These days, you find new manufactured homes with all kinds of bells and whistles, including vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, and luxurious bathrooms. If you’re looking to save money, however, you might consider going with a used mobile home. Just keep in mind that a used home may show signs of wear and tear (depending on how well it was maintained) and that some mobile home sites don’t allow homes made before a certain date.

Financing a Mobile Home

Once you’ve decided on the type and size of mobile home you want to buy, it’s time to figure out how you are going to pay for it. While it can be harder to find a loan for a mobile home than a traditional home, there are still a number of options. Here are some to consider.

Fannie Mae

While not all lenders finance manufactured homes, some may offer Fannie Mae’s MH Advantage program. These loans come with terms of 30 years, competitive rates, and down payments as low as 3%.

However, they also come with strict qualification criteria: The manufactured home must be at least 12 feet wide, have a minimum of 600 square feet, and can’t be on leased land. The home also needs to have a driveway and a sidewalk that connects the driveway, carport, or detached garage.

Freddie Mac

Another option for manufactured home financing is the Freddie Mac Home Possible mortgage program. This program offers 15-, 20- and 30-year fixed-rate loans, as well as adjustable-rate mortgages. Like Fannie Mae, these loans typically come with low rates and down payments as low as 3%. Freddie Mac loans also have strict criteria for qualification: The home must be considered real property, have at least 400 square feet of living space, and be built on a permanent chassis.

FHA

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which offers loans for traditional homes with flexible credit and down payment requirements, also offers manufactured home loans called Title I and Title II loans.

You can use a Title I loan to buy a manufactured home (but not the land it sits on), provided that the property is your primary residence, is connected to utilities, and meets FHA guidelines. These loans typically come with terms up to 20 years and relatively low loan amounts.

Title II loans, by contrast, can be used to purchase both a manufactured home and the land it sits on together. However, the home must count as real property and have been built after 1976.

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

If you’re a member of the military community, you may be able to qualify for a loan insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to purchase a mobile or manufactured home. To qualify for a VA loan for a manufactured home, your home must be on a permanent foundation, meet HUD guidelines, and must be purchased with the land underneath it. These loans often offer 100% financing with no money down; terms can range from 20 to 25 years.

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Chattel Loans

A chattel loan is a loan designed to purchase different types of expensive personal property, such as cars, boats, and mobile homes. You don’t have to own the land your home will sit on to get a chattel loan, so this can be a good option if you plan to rent a space in a mobile home community. Some lenders also offer chattel loans that are insured by the FHA, VA, and the Rural Housing Service (RHS) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Chattel loans typically have higher rates and shorter terms than traditional mortgages. Like a traditional mortgage, however, these loans hold the property being financed as collateral for the loan. That means that if you run into trouble making payments, the lender can seize and re-sell the mobile home.

Personal Loans

Since mobile homes generally cost far less than traditional homes, you may be able to finance your purchase through a personal loan.

Personal loans are typically unsecured loans with a fixed interest rate that can be used for virtually any purpose (including the purchase of a mobile home). These loans don’t have restrictions on how your mobile home is built, so you can likely qualify even if it’s fully movable and not attached to a permanent foundation. Also, personal loans don’t put your home at risk, and the application process and time to funding tends to be shorter than other types of mobile home loans. However, interest rates may be higher.

While some lenders offer maximum personal loans of $40,000 to $50,000, others will let you borrow $100,000 or more. If you can find a larger personal loan, it may be enough to finance a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.

Recommended: How Much Is a Down Payment on a House?

Getting Approved for a Personal Loan

If you’re thinking about applying for a mobile home loan, here are some steps that can help streamline the process.

1. Check Your Credit Reports

Whenever you apply for any type of financing, a lender will likely look at your credit history to help them determine how much they will lend to you and at what rate (or if they will lend to you at all). It’s wise to look at your three credit reports, see where you stand, and make sure there aren’t any mistakes or inaccuracies that could negatively affect your credit. You can get free copies of your credit reports from the three consumer bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® — at AnnualCreditReport.com.

2. Determine Whether You’re Buying Land and a Mobile Home

This will determine how much money you need to borrow, as well as what your financing options are. Some lenders will only offer mobile home financing if the home will be permanently set up on land that you own.

3. Save For a Down Payment

While it’s not always required, you may also want to think about saving for a down payment on your manufactured or mobile home.

4. Find the Right Lender

Interest rates can vary from one lender to the next, so it can definitely pay to shop around and compare offerings from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Some lenders will allow you to “prequalify” for a loan with a soft credit check (which doesn’t impact your credit score). This will allow you to get an idea of the loan amount and rate you may be able to qualify for before you officially apply.

The Takeaway

While mobile and manufactured homes are typically more affordable than a traditional home, you may still need financing to cover the cost of the purchase. You may be able to get a loan from the same sources as traditional mortgages (such as FHA and VA loans). Other options include specialized manufactured home loans through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, chattel loans, and personal loans.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

FAQ

Can you get a personal loan for a mobile home?

Yes, a personal loan can be used to buy a mobile, manufactured, or modular home. Applicants will need to meet qualification requirements of the lender they’re working with.

What is the maximum personal loan amount for a mobile home?

The maximum loan amount is dependent on the lender. Many have maximum loan amounts of $40,000 and $50,000 but some will offer up to $100,000. The amount you can borrow will also depend on your income, credit score, and other factors.

Where can I get a personal loan to buy a mobile home?

Traditional banks, credit unions, and online lenders may offer personal loans to buy a mobile or manufactured home.

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Using a surrogate, also known as a gestational carrier, involves an arrangement in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another couple or individual.

Surrogacy can allow would-be parents an opportunity to have a baby with whom they have a biological link. But gestational carrying can also be complicated, with complex laws and medical procedures that can make the process expensive.

The cost of using a surrogate can run anywhere from $100,000 to $225,000, depending on where you live, whether you need an egg donor, and how many rounds of IVF your surrogate will go through before she conceives.

Read on to learn more about potential fees involved in using a surrogate, as well as some ways to make the process more affordable.

Why is Surrogacy so Expensive?

The lump sum of surrogacy can seem overwhelming. But it’s important to keep in mind that the estimated overall cost is based on averages.

Because surrogacy is unique for all families, your expenses may differ. But knowing the various elements of surrogacy can help you see how each cost plays into the overall price. Here are some typical surrogacy costs that aspiring parents should anticipate.


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Agency Fee

Because fertility clinics do not find surrogates, would-be parents typically need to find a carrier through a personal connection or an agency. Surrogacy agencies, which have a network of surrogates who have met certain requirements, charge fees that can run $30,000-plus.

The fee covers all of the services provided by the agency, including background checks, screenings, support and education, advertising, marketing, and more.

Agency fees should remain fixed, regardless of how long it takes to complete the surrogacy process.

Recommended: Exploring IVF Financing Options

Surrogate Fee

Working with a gestational carrier can be expensive, running somewhere between $30,000 and $70,000. This fee is paid to the surrogate as compensation for undergoing tests and fertility treatments, carrying and delivering the child, taking on the medical risks involved, and putting themselves through the physical and emotional challenges that surrogacy and pregnancy can involve.

Fertility Clinic Fee

You will also need to work with a fertility clinic to produce embryos. In many cases, couples have already done this before pursuing surrogacy. This can range from $20,000 to $50,000.

Recommended: How Much Does IVF Cost?

Pregnancy Costs

The cost of carrying and delivering a baby can vary in the U.S., depending on location, type of birth, and whether there are any complications, but tends to average around $14,000. The surrogate’s insurance may or may not cover any of this cost. If the surrogate doesn’t have health insurance, the would-be parents may need to purchase a short-term or maternity-only policy for them.

Legal Fees

Surrogacy can involve several psychological, ethical, and legal complexities, and typically requires legal contracts that outline each parties’ responsibilities and compensation.

The intended parents and surrogate typically each need an attorney to negotiate and draft this contract, as well as complete other necessary services. The Intended parents typically pay for everyone’s legal expenses, which can cost from $7,000 to $15,000.

Other Potential Costs

Other expenses that can come up include travel, pregnancy clothing, lost wages, payment for breast milk, and counseling fees.

Recommended: How Much Does it Cost to Raise a Child to 18?

Is Surrogacy Covered by Insurance?

Surrogacy is not typically covered by health insurance, but the situation isn’t always cut and dry. Some health insurance plans include language that clearly specifies the plan does not cover costs for a woman for surrogacy, while a few plans state that they do provide coverage.

Many insurance plans, however, don’t make it entirely clear whether they do or don’t cover surrogacy. Surrogacy agencies, however, can often help intended parents evaluate the surrogate’s health insurance plan to determine whether or not the pregnancy will be covered.

In some cases, the would-be parents will need to purchase outside insurance for the surrogate from a comprehensive surrogacy insurance agency, which can run $12,000 to $30,000.


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What To Know About Surrogacy Fees

Surrogacy fees are a large portion of the overall surrogacy price tag. But there are ways to possibly minimize these fees.

One common route is using what’s called a “compassionate” surrogate. This is someone — perhaps a friend or relative — who does not want a fee for surrogacy. While the would-be parents will be responsible for expenses, eliminating a carrying fee can make surrogacy much more affordable.

Another option is to search for a surrogate independently instead of going through an agency. This can minimize fees, but can also potentially be complicated because of the complexities involved in surrogacy.

Some families choose a surrogate who lives outside the United States as a way to save on potential costs. International surrogacy may be facilitated by an agency in the home country of the potential surrogate. This too, however, may come with risks including legal risks and travel complications.

Regardless of whether a family uses an agency, a connection, or pursues a surrogate through an independent channel, they will still likely need to use a reproductive lawyer to craft a legal agreement, as well as psychological counseling for all parties to make sure everyone has a place to explore the complex emotions that can come from surrogacy.

How to Pay for Surrogacy

Many people don’t have an extra six figures sitting around in a bank account that they can tap to pay for using a surrogate. But there are some ways that hopeful parents can find funds. Here are some options you may want to consider.

Employee benefits and health insurance. It’s not very common for companies to offer a surrogacy benefit, but it can’t hurt to inquire. There are some companies that offer a maximum family-planning benefit that could be used for processes such as surrogacy. It can also be worthwhile to check your own health insurance benefits. While it may not cover the surrogate’s pregnancy, it may cover procedures would-be parents need to undergo.

Saving up in advance. If you are planning surrogacy for some time in the future, you may want to start putting cash away every month into a savings account, ideally with an above-average interest rate, set up specifically for surrogacy. You can also automate savings by setting up a recurring monthly deposit into this account so it happens no matter what.

Considering financial resources. Some aspiring parents may want to reach out to their family for financial help, or even crowd-source funds through their social media networks. Others may tap into equity, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or borrowing from their 401(k). Of course, it can be a good idea to explore the pros and cons of these types of loans, including a timeline to pay them back.

Taking out a personal loan. Taking out a personal loan, sometimes referred to as a family planning loan, can be a good option for some would-be parents. Unlike a credit card, a fixed-rate personal loan gives transparency over interest rate and exactly how much money you’ll need to pay back for the life of the loan.

Personal loans can also come with significantly lower interest rates than credit cards. Prior to applying for a loan, it can be a good idea to understand any fees and penalties. Surrogacy agencies and fertility centers also may have loans available.

Applying for a grant. There are some national, regional, and local grants available for some families pursuing surrogacy. Qualifying for a grant may depend on income, location, and personal situation.

Recommended: 5 Tips for Saving for a Baby

The Takeaway

Surrogacy is a process that can help would-be parents have a baby, but it typically comes with considerable costs. These expenses include the medical, legal, and insurance fees that come with contracting a surrogate.

While costs can vary widely based on your location and the type of surrogacy you choose, the total can run around between $100,000 and $225,000.

Because this family-building option is pricey, aspiring parents may want to try to save up in advance, tap certain financial resources, explore grants, and find ways to trim costs, such as asking a friend or family member to be their surrogate.

Another way to help pay for surrogacy is to take out a personal loan, which often comes with a lower interest rate than credit cards.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Many parents want to do whatever they can to help pay for their child’s higher education, which can be quite expensive. In-state education can top $100,000 for four years, and a private education can total $224,360 on average, according to figures from the Education Data Initiative.

Starting to plan and save early and consistently can be vital. But knowing how much to save and where to stash those funds, plus pay for any balance due, is equally important.

Need guidance? Here, what parents need to know about paying for their child’s college education.

How Much Will I Need to Save?

The answer to this question is subjective. Do you plan to try to cover 100% of your child’s college costs, or will student loans, if needed, be palatable? Will your child likely qualify for need-based or merit aid? Might your high achiever be eligible for a college that meets some or all of demonstrated need?

Have you carved out your own retirement savings plan and an emergency fund, and have you focused on paying down your own debt? It’s smart financial planning to get your house in order first, so you can save for your offspring’s college.

The cost of attendance, or “sticker price,” on every college website that estimates the total cost of a year of school can cause, well, sticker shock. But most students do not pay sticker price. They pay the net price, which is that number minus scholarships, grants, and financial aid.

The College Board reports that the average published tuition and fees for full-time students for 2022-23 were:

•   Public four-year college, in-state student: $10,950

•   Public four-year college, out-of-state student: $28,240

•   Private nonprofit four-year college, any student: $39,400.

Remember that the above numbers cite tuition and fees, not the total cost of attendance, which also includes the estimated annual cost of room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, miscellaneous expenses (including for a personal computer), and eligible study-abroad programs.

The upshot: Anticipating the cost of attendance of various colleges, your family’s eligibility for merit and need-based aid, and borrowing tolerance can help you prepare.

If you put a number on a savings target, another key question is: How can I start saving for college?

What Are Some Strategies for Saving?

Here are a few options to consider:

Automating savings. You could set up automatic transfers to a designated college savings account, so you won’t even have to think about it. You can transfer from your checking account or, if it’s an option, opt to direct deposit a portion of your paycheck directly to your savings account.

Putting windfalls to work. Another way to boost savings comes from the planned and unplanned windfalls in life. Getting a tax refund or receiving an inheritance? Keeping an eye out for unexpected money can help you achieve your savings goals.

Pruning expenses. If you haven’t already trimmed your expenses, you can use the natural course of time to turn expenses into savings. For example, once your child no longer needs diapers, you can put that cost toward college savings. When they no longer need daycare, you could funnel what you were paying into your account. If piano lessons end, it’s yet another chance to increase how much you can save.

Finding scholarship matches. Once children get closer to high school graduation, you can help them find scholarships. FastWeb and Scholarships.com are two popular sites among many that will help you search for opportunities. Many allow you to set up a profile for your child that may include interests, intended majors, and even preferred schools — data points that will be used to help match your child with scholarships.

It’s usually more cost-effective to save than borrow, of course. Every dollar you borrow can cost you more than that dollar once you add interest.

Many parents use a mix of sources to fund their children’s education. For example, you could save a third of your target, pay a third during your child’s time in college, and borrow the last third.

💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Which Savings Plan Is Right for Me?

If you have your target goal and a plan to make regular contributions, you’re ready to weigh which investment vehicles will fit your needs. Here are some common savings tools.

529 Plans

The 529 college savings plan is a tax-advantaged account to save for higher education costs, and it has become popular with parents saving for college. Anyone, even non-family members, can set one up and make contributions on behalf of a beneficiary. Some details:

•   Contributions to 529s are made with after-tax dollars, but they grow tax-free, and capital gains are tax-free as long as withdrawals are used to pay for qualified education expenses.

•   Any withdrawals that are not used for higher education expenses may be subject to penalties and taxes.

•   If your child doesn’t go to college, the funds still need to be spent on education to avoid taxes and penalties. But you have the ability to change the beneficiary of a 529 account to another family member.

This means that if your oldest child does not use the funds for college, you can change the beneficiary on the 529 to a sibling or even a family member in the next generation.

•   If your child receives a scholarship for college, you can withdraw the amount of the scholarship from the 529 plan penalty-free. If you decide to withdraw it for another purpose, you’ll pay a 10% penalty, plus regular income taxes.

•   Annual contributions to a 529 plan are not limited, but any amount you give the beneficiary will be part of your annual $17,000 gift tax exclusion. The IRS will let you (and your spouse, if you elect to split gifts) make five years of contributions at once without paying gift taxes.

•   Many states offer these plans, so you’ll want to start by finding out if your state offers any tax incentives to participate in your own state’s sponsored plan. If you discover that your state does not offer additional tax benefits for contributions, you can shop around for the lowest fees.

Then there are 529 prepaid tuition plans , offered by a dwindling number of states, that allow parents, grandparents, and others to prepay tuition and mandatory fees at today’s rates at eligible colleges and universities.

•   Currently, nine states offer them: Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

•   Most state prepaid tuition plans require you or your child to be a resident of the state offering the plan when you apply. Most allow the funding to be transferred to a sibling.

•   Qualified distributions from prepaid 529 plans are exempt from federal income taxes and might also be exempt from state and local taxes.

•   The Private College 529, not run by a state, offers guaranteed prepaid tuition at many participating colleges and universities, with no residency requirements.

Coverdell Education Savings Account

A Coverdell education savings account can also be used to pay for qualified education expenses.

The annual contribution limit is $2,000. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but they grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free.

The account is limited to certain incomes. The current limit is a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $110,000 per person or $220,000 if filing jointly.

💡 Quick Tip: Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.

UTMA and UGMA Accounts

A Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) custodial account can be set up to pay any expense that benefits a minor. Here’s more intel on how these work:

•   When your child reaches the age of majority, 18 or 21, depending on the state, they will be able to use the money for whatever they want, so many parents are wary of using these to plan for college. (However, the funds could become an investment plan for your child if they didn’t go to college.)

•   The flip side is your child won’t be limited to just paying for education expenses and can use the money for living arrangements, a car, or other necessary purchases.

•   There are no contribution limits for UTMA and UGMA accounts, and they can be funded with any combination of cash and investments. Annual gift tax exclusions apply.

•   Because contributions are made with after-tax dollars, there are no taxes on withdrawals, but there may be taxes on capital gains.

What About Student Loans?

Students can have access to scholarships and grants, which can help make college more affordable. In addition, your student may have to take out federal student loans to make it to graduation day. You can also shoulder some of the load.

Parent PLUS loans can be one way to help your child afford college. They are student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education, and parents become the borrower. You can borrow up to the amount of education expenses not covered by other financial aid. It’s easier to qualify if you don’t have a good credit history.

Parent PLUS loans have a fixed interest rate, currently 8.05%, with a typical term of 10 years that may be extended to 25 years. However, unlike federal student loans, Parent PLUS Loans come with a fairly high origination fee — it’s currently 4.228%.

Even with savings, federal student loans, grants, and scholarships, your child may still have unmet needs. Private student loans, offered by private lenders, are often used to fill those gaps.

•   Depending on your situation, student loan refinancing can also lower your monthly payment. Many online lenders consider a variety of factors when determining your eligibility and loan terms, however, including your educational background, earning potential, credit score, and other factors. And if you’re lowering your monthly payment by extending your loan term, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan.

•   With private parent student loans, you, the parent, take responsibility for the loan. Another option can be undergrad private student loans that allow a cosigner. If you cosign, you and the student are responsible for the loan.

•   It’s important to know that federal student loans come with benefits, including income-driven repayment options and student loan forgiveness, that private lenders do not offer.

Recommended: Student Loans Guide

The Takeaway

Paying for a child’s college education involves two key things: saving early and consistently. Most students will still end up borrowing in order to pay for the many expenses of higher education.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 04/24/2024 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.


External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FOREFEIT YOUR EILIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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