SoFi

Life can occasionally throw you — and your finances — a curveball. During those times, it might be too much of a stretch to make a payment on a personal loan. But what are the consequences of missing a loan payment?

What can happen if you miss one payment, of course, is quite different from what can happen if you miss several, so let’s take a look at possible ramifications.

What Does It Mean to Default on a Personal Loan?

Just as with a mortgage or student loans, defaulting on a personal loan means you’ve stopped making payments according to the loan’s terms. You might be just one payment behind, or you may have missed a few. The point at which delinquency becomes default with a personal loan — and the consequences — may vary depending on the type of loan you have, the lender, and the loan agreement you signed.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. SoFi personal loans come with no-fee options, and no surprises.

How Does Loan Default Work?

Even if you miss just one payment on a personal loan, you might be charged a late fee. Your loan agreement should have information about when this penalty fee kicks in — it might be one day or a couple of weeks — and whether it will be a flat fee or a percentage of your monthly payment.

The agreement also should tell you when the lender will get more serious about collecting its money. Because the collections process can be costly for lenders, it might be a month or more before yours determines your loan is in default. But at some point, you can expect the lender to take action to recover what they’re owed.

What Are the Consequences of Defaulting on a Personal Loan?

Besides those nasty late fees, which can pile up fast, and the increasing stress of fretting about a debt, here are some other significant consequences to consider:

Damage to Your Credit

Lenders typically report missing payments to the credit bureaus when borrowers are more than 30 days late. This means your delinquency will likely show up on your credit reports and could cause your credit scores to go down. Even if you catch up down the road, those late payments can stay on your credit reports for up to seven years.

If you actually default and the debt is sold to a collection agency, it could then show up as a separate account on your credit reports and do even more damage to your credit scores.

Though you may not feel the effects of a lower credit score immediately, it could become a problem the next time you apply for new credit — whether that’s for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage loan. It could even be an issue when you try to rent an apartment or need to open new accounts with your local utilities.

Sometimes, a lender may still approve a new loan for borrowers with substandard credit scores, but it might be at a higher interest rate. This means you’d pay back more interest over the life of the loan, which could set you back even further as you work toward financial wellness.

Dealing with Debt Collectors

If you have a secured personal loan, the lender may decide to seize the collateral you put up when you got the loan (your car, personal savings, or some other asset). If it’s an unsecured personal loan, the lender could come looking for payment, either by working through its in-house collection department or by turning your debt over to a third-party collection agency.

Even under the best conditions, dealing with a debt collector can be unpleasant, so it’s best to avoid getting to that stage if you can. But if you fall far enough behind to be contacted by a debt collector, you should be prepared for some aggressive behavior on the part of the collection agency. These agents may have monthly goals they must meet, and they could be hoping you’ll pay up just to make them go away.

There are consumer protections in place through the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that clarify how far third-party debt collectors can go in trying to recover a debt. There are limits, for example, on when and how often a debt collector can call someone. And debt collectors aren’t allowed to use obscene or threatening language. If you feel a debt collector has gone too far, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

You Could Be Sued

If at some point the lender or collection agency decides you simply aren’t going to repay the money you owe on a personal loan, you eventually could end up in court. And if the judgment goes against you, the consequences could be wage garnishment or, possibly, the court could place a lien on your property.

The thought of going to court may be intimidating, but failing to appear at a hearing can end up in an automatic judgment against you. It’s important to show up and to be prepared to state your case.

A Cosigner Could Be Affected

If you have a cosigner or co-applicant on your personal loan, they, too, could be affected if you default.

When someone cosigns on a loan with you, it means that person is equally responsible for paying back the amount you borrowed. So if a parent or grandparent cosigned on your personal loan to help you qualify, and the loan goes into default, the lender — and debt collectors — may contact both you and your loved one about making payments. And your cosigner’s credit score also could take a hit.

Is There a Way to Avoid Defaulting on a Loan?

If you’re worried about making payments and you think you’re getting close to defaulting — but you aren’t there yet — there may be some things you can do to try to avoid it.

Reassessing Your Budget

Could you maybe squeak by and meet all your monthly obligations if you temporarily eliminated some expenses? Perhaps you could put off buying a new car for a bit longer than planned. Or you might be able to cut down on some discretionary expenses, such as dining out and/or subscription services.

This process may be a bit painful, but you can always revisit your budget when you get on track financially. And you may even find there are things you don’t miss at all.

Talking to Your Lender

If you’re open about your financial issues, your lender may be willing to work out a modified payment plan that could help you avoid default. Some lenders offer short-term deferment plans that allow borrowers to take a temporary break from monthly payments if they agree to a longer loan term.

You won’t be the first person who’s contacted them to say, “I can’t pay my personal loan.” The lender likely has a few options to consider — especially if you haven’t waited too long. The important thing here is to be clear on how the new payment plan might affect the big picture. Some questions to ask the lender might include: “Will this change increase the overall cost of the loan?” and “What will the change do to my credit scores?”

Getting a New Personal Loan

If your credit is still in good shape, you could decide to get proactive by looking into refinancing the old personal loan with a new personal loan that has terms that are more manageable with your current financial situation. However, be sure to factor in any fees (such as origination fees on the new loan and/or a prepayment penalty on the old loan) to make sure the refinance will save you money. You’ll also want to keep in mind that extending the term of the term of your loan can increase the cost of the loan over time.

You can use an online personal loan calculator to see how much interest you might be able to save by paying off your existing debt with a loan.

Or you might consider consolidating the old loan and other debts into one loan with a more manageable payment. This strategy would be part of an overall plan to get on firmer financial footing, of course. Otherwise, you could end up in trouble all over again.

But if your income is higher now and/or your credit scores are stronger than they were when you got the original personal loan, you could potentially improve your interest rate or other loan terms. (Requirements vary by lender.) Or you might be able to get a fresh start with a longer loan term that could potentially lower your payments.

If you decide a new personal loan is right for your needs, the next step is to choose the right lender for you. Some questions to ask lenders might include:

•   Can I borrow enough for what I need?

•   What is the best interest rate I can get?

•   Can I get a better rate if I sign up for automatic payments?

•   Do you charge any loan fees or penalties?

•   What happens if I can’t pay my personal loan because I lost my job? Do you offer unemployment protection?

💡 Quick Tip: With average interest rates lower than credit cards, a personal loan for credit card debt can substantially decrease your monthly bills.

Is There a Way Out of Personal Loan Default?

Even if it’s too late to avoid default, there are steps you may be able to take to help yourself get back on track.
After carefully evaluating the situation, you may decide you want to propose a repayment plan or lump-sum settlement to the lender or collection agency. If so, the CFPB recommends being realistic about what you can afford, so you can stick to the plan.

If you need help figuring out how to make it work, the CFPB says, consulting with a credit counselor may help. These trained professionals can work with you to come up with a debt management plan. While a counselor usually doesn’t negotiate a reduction in the debts you owe, they might be able to get your interest rates lowered or have loan terms increased, which could lower your monthly payments.

What’s more, a credit counselor can also help you create a budget, advise you on managing your debts and money, and may even often offer free financial education workshops and resources.

But consumers should be cautious about companies that claim they can renegotiate, settle, or change the terms of your debt. The CFPB warns that some companies promise more than they can deliver. If you’re interested in exploring credit counseling, a good place to start is browsing this list“>this list of nonprofit agencies that have been certified by the Justice Department.

Finally, as you make your way back to financial wellness, it can be a good idea to keep an eye on two things:

1. The Statute of Limitations

For most states, the statute of limitations — the period during which you can be sued to recover your debt — is about three to six years. If you haven’t made a payment for close to that amount of time — or longer — you may want to consult a debt attorney to determine your next steps. (Low-income borrowers may even be able to get free legal help.)

2. Your Credit Score

Tracking your credit reports — and seeing first-hand what helps or hurts your credit scores — could provide extra incentive to keep working toward a healthier financial future. You can use a credit monitoring service to stay up to date, or you could take a DIY approach and check your credit reports yourself. Every U.S. consumer is entitled to a yearly free credit report available at annualcreditreport.com, which is a federally authorized source.

The Takeaway

If your debt seems daunting right now, and you’re struggling to make payments, some proactive planning could help you avoid falling so far behind that you default on your personal loan. That plan may include talking to your current lender about modified payment terms — or it might be time to consider a new personal loan to consolidate high-interest debt.

The good news is there’s help out there. And the sooner you act, the more options you may have to protect your credit and stay away from the serious consequences of defaulting.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

---

SoFi Loan Products
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.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPL1023004

Read more

When babies start crawling, they can get into all sorts of trouble. Aside from creating messes, they can hurt themselves. That’s why it’s important to babyproof a home before a child begins to explore.

The process of babyproofing can take time, effort, as well as a financial investment. But the payoff is huge — you’ll be able to relax, knowing that your little one will be able to crawl — and eventually walk — around your home without getting hurt.

If tackling your entire home all at once seems daunting, don’t stress. What follows is a simple, step-by-step babyproofing checklist that will help you turn your home into a safe haven for your little one.

Put Up Gates

If you don’t have doors throughout your home, you’ll want to install baby gates.

Baby gates that can be screwed into a banister, wall, or door frame are the most secure. But pressure-mounted gates can be a good alternative if you live in a rental and don’t want to put holes in any walls.

Some gates allow parents to step through, while others swing open. When looking for baby gates, it’s a good idea to seek out the ones that are the top-rated for safety and the most convenient for your home. For instance, you might get frustrated if you have to constantly step over a gate, so a swinging gate could be a better fit.


💡 Quick Tip: Home improvement loans typically offer lower interest rates than credit cards. Consider a loan to fund your next renovation.

Buy a Hexagon Play Yard

When you can’t constantly watch your baby, you can put your little one in a hexagon “play yard” with toys and comfort items.

The panels can also be used to block off certain rooms or areas of a room.

However, keep in mind that as your child grows and develops, they may be able to move the play yard or climb over the panels.

Cover the Outlets

Another part of a babyproofing checklist is covering all the outlets in your home.

The easiest option is to push heavy furniture in front of outlets so your baby can’t get to them. But if that’s not possible, you can buy plug-in plastic covers, outlet shields, or sliding plate covers.

Remember to also get power strip covers and electrical cord covers so your baby can’t play with those either.

Babyproof the Doors

Babyproofing doors is important so that babies can’t get into certain rooms or get their fingers jammed in doors.

To babyproof doors, you can install door knob covers, which are rounded, plastic covers that are too hard for babies to squeeze in order to turn the knobs.

You can also use a door strap, which will keep babies out of a room but allow small pets in.

Recommended: Common Financial Mistakes First-Time Parents Make

Put Away Heavy Objects

If young children pick up a heavy object, they could drop it and break it or, worse, hurt themselves.

A major part of a babyproof checklist is putting away heavy objects that could injure your child. These objects could go in a closet or another room. It doesn’t matter where they go, as long as they are out of baby’s reach.

Install Latches on Drawers

One key part of babyproofing a home is to make sure that children can’t get into drawers and cabinets where dangerous objects like knives are stored.

Parents have a few options for babyproofing cabinets and drawers. You can use slide locks for double door cabinets, which tie adjacent knobs together. Or, you might opt for magnetic locks, which go in drawers and cabinets and require a key to unlock them.

Other options include: adhesive strap locks (which use heavy-duty, removable adhesive) and spring-action locks (which unlock when parents open a drawer and hold down on the lock at the same time).

Recommended: 20 Small-Kitchen Remodel Ideas & Designs

Remove Choking Hazards

If you have more than one child, there could be little toys around the house or other objects that are choking hazards for your baby.

You can store these objects in a safe spot and instruct your older kids to do the same. For instance, an older child could have a special trunk where they put all their toys when the baby is around.

Keep Chemicals Locked Up

Before having a baby, you may have kept household cleaners and bug spray underneath the sink.

Now, when babyproofing, you’ll need to put a lock on the cabinet where these chemicals are stored and/or install a gate to keep your baby far away from them.

A number of household substances must, by law, have child-resistant packaging. Still, one look around the average home shows potential dangers, including perhaps colorful single-load laundry detergent pods and dishwashing liquid.

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

Use Corner Guards

Installing corner guards is an essential babyproofing step. Corner guards, which may prevent a bad bruise or eye injury, can be used on sharp corners of wooden desks, glass tables, and metal fireplace hearths.

Some corner guards are made of high-density foam; others from silicone rubber. They come in different colors and may include double-stick tape for easy installation.

Babyproof Window Blinds

Cords attached to window coverings are a strangling hazard for babies. Ideally, you’ll want to switch any corded window treatments for cordless options. If that’s not possible, your next best option is to shorten the cords, attach plastic covers to the ends, and secure them to the wall with a tie-down device, or cleat. Cord cleats should be installed at least 5 feet above a floor, where a baby can’t reach.

Recommended: The Top Home Improvements to Increase Your Home’s Value

Secure Furniture to the Wall

Babies start to become very curious when they roam around the house. They may push furniture and try to move it. Every year children are injured in tip-overs of TVs, tables, dressers, and bookcases, some fatally. This is why all furniture they have access to should be secured to walls.

It’s important to secure furniture not only in the living and dining room but also in the nursery. Pay special attention to the baby’s bookshelf and dresser.

Secure Rugs

Once babies start to crawl and even walk, they could slip and fall on rugs. A good way to avoid mishaps is to make rugs immovable by placing nonskid rug pads underneath them.

Double-sided carpet tape can also be used to keep down any slight upturns on the edges and corners of the rugs.

Block or Babyproof Stairs

Babies tend to love stairs, but of course stairs can be dangerous. You can block stairs off with a baby gate and/or add carpeting, nonskid step pads, or a carpet runner to make stairs less slippery.

Paying for Babyproofing

Any way you slice it, raising kids is expensive, and that includes babyproofing your home.

The total cost of baby-proofing a home will depend on its size and specific baby-proofing needs. On average, babyproofing a home can cost between $500 and $2500, with most parents paying around $1,500 to make their homes safe and secure for their child.

Costs typically include essential items for each room like baby gates, outlet plugs, furniture anchors, electrical protection covers and materials, and locks for drawers and doors. Your outlay can run much higher than the average babyproofing cost if you install all new child-safe window treatments or make some structural changes to your home to make it safer for your little one.

If you aren’t able to pay for babyproofing out of pocket, you might consider using a low- or no-interest credit card or taking out a personal loan for home improvement.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. SoFi personal loans come with no-fee options, and no surprises.

The Takeaway

A babyproof checklist is a must before babies start crawling, cruising, or otherwise getting around. Some key babyproofing steps include: using gates on stairs, locking or latching cupboards and drawers, containing dangerous items, placing outlet covers on all electrical outlets, and securing and mounting large unstable furniture to the walls.

Unfortunately, babyproofing typically isn’t a one-and-done home project. It’s a good idea to frequently reassess safety as your child ages and develops new skills (such as pulling up and walking) or you make any changes to your home.

Some babyproofing steps are free, while others can be costly. If you don’t have the cash on hand to cover safety-related home improvements, you might consider using a credit card with a 0% introductory interest rate or getting a low-interest personal loan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

---

SoFi Loan Products
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.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOPL1023006

Read more

As with any loan, federal and private student loans come with interest charges. Federal Direct Loans use a daily simple interest formula, whereas some private student loans may use a compound interest formula.

A simple interest loan calculates interest on your principal balance. A compound interest loan, however, uses a different formula that typically results in higher interest charges than a simple interest formula.

In general, the terms of your student loan agreement will determine how much interest you pay over the life of your loan. Below we highlight how to calculate student loan interest.

Step 1: Calculate Daily Interest

A student loan calculator can help you determine how much interest you may pay over the life of your loan. You can also calculate daily interest costs manually if you know your interest rate.

Say you have a $10,000 federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan balance with a 5.50% fixed interest rate. You can use the following formula to calculate the daily amount of interest that would accrue on your $10,000 remaining loan balance:

(0.055 / 365) X $10,000 = $1.51

You can apply this formula by converting your 5.50% interest rate into a decimal (0.055) and dividing it by 365 days in a year to determine your interest rate factor. Then you multiply your interest rate factor by your $10,000 remaining loan balance. This calculates your daily interest charges as about $1.51.

Step 2: Calculate Daily Costs

Simple interest is charged as a percent of your outstanding principal. In student loan terminology, the interest typically accrues on a daily basis.

Using the above example of a $10,000 federal student loan balance with a 5.50% fixed rate, your lender would charge about $1.51 in daily interest on your $10,000 balance.

This means that every day that you continue to owe $10,000 on a simple interest loan with a 5.50% interest rate, you accrue $1.51 in interest, which is added to the principal amount you owe. In other words, it costs you about $1.51 per day in order to have your $10,000 loan balance still outstanding.

Step Three: Calculate Monthly Costs

Once you know how much you’re paying in interest every day, you can determine how much you’re paying in interest every month.

In order to figure out how much cash you’re shelling out monthly to pay your accruing interest, you multiply your daily interest cost by the amount of days between payments, which is usually 30 days, or one month. Here it is with our example numbers from above:

$1.51 x 30 = $45.30

This $45.30 estimate of student loan interest is the amount that may accrue over the course of a month. This is how to calculate student loan interest on a $10,000 balance with a 5.50% fixed rate using the simple interest formula.

In general, federal and private student loans are amortizing loans. Student loan payments may cover interest charges and some principal, but you’ll typically pay more in interest at the start of your repayment term. A greater portion of your payment may go toward principal as you pay down your loan balance over time.

Simple vs Compound Interest

Student loans from the federal Direct Loan Program are daily simple interest loans. In addition to Direct Unsubsidized Loans, these loans include:

•   Direct Subsidized Loans

•   Direct PLUS Loans

•   Direct Consolidation Loans

Some private student loans may charge compound interest, which is typically more costly than simple interest. What is compound interest? It’s when a lender charges interest on interest and principal.

Simple interest is charged as a percent of your outstanding principal, whereas compound interest is charged on your accumulated unpaid interest and principal balance combined. This is typically more costly than simple interest, because compound interest charges interest on the unpaid interest.

If you have private student loans, you can ask your lender whether the finance charges are based on simple interest or compound interest.

When Does Interest Start on Student Loans?

Federal and private student loans typically begin accruing interest when they’re disbursed. There are some exceptions, of course, so the exact timing of when student loan interest accrual starts may depend on your loan type.

The difference between private vs. federal student loans is that federal student loans are made, insured, or guaranteed by the federal government under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The federal Department of Education does not guarantee private student loans, which typically come from banks, credit unions, fintech companies, and state-based nonprofits.

Private education loans, including refinance student loans, are not eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, or federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

Refinancing your student loans with a private lender may reduce your interest rate. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

What Is Interest Capitalization?

Interest capitalization is when unpaid interest accrues over time and gets added to your principal loan balance. Interest capitalization can occur with federal and private student loans, but the U.S. Department of Education eliminated most instances of federal student loan interest capitalization effective July 2023.

A federal student loan borrower who exits a period of deferment on an unsubsidized loan or who overcomes a partial financial hardship on the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan may face capitalized interest. Federal student loan interest capitalization can also occur upon loan consolidation. These are the few instances where federal law requires federal student loan interest capitalization to occur.

Federal student loan borrowers on the IBR plan can consider switching to the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The SAVE Plan is the most affordable repayment plan for federal student loans, according to the Department of Education.

Borrowers who earn less than 225% of the federal poverty guideline (or less than $32,805 for a single borrower and $67,500 for a family of four in 2023) don’t have to make any payments under the SAVE Plan. Beginning July 2024, SAVE Plan payment amounts are based on 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate loans, 10% for graduate loans, and a weighted average for borrowers who have both.

What Is Student Loan Amortization?

As mentioned earlier, federal and private student loans are amortizing loans. That means you’ll typically pay more in interest at the start of your repayment term and less toward interest as you pay down your loan balance over time.

There are variable and fixed-rate student loans, but federal student loans issued after July 1, 2006, have a fixed rate. A variable rate can fluctuate with the market, whereas a fixed rate remains the same over the life of the loan. Amortization refers to the amount of principal and interest you pay each time you make a loan payment.

It’s possible for negative amortization to occur, which is when your monthly payment is low enough that it doesn’t cover the interest charges for that month. Negative amortization causes your loan balance to grow.

If you’re enrolled in the SAVE Plan, however, you won’t experience negative amortization on federal student loans as long as you make your required monthly payments.


💡 Quick Tip: It might be beneficial to look for a refinancing lender that offers extras. SoFi members, for instance, can qualify for rate discounts and have access to career services, financial advisors, networking events, and more — at no extra cost.

Lowering Your Student Loan Interest Rate

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

---

SoFi Loan Products
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.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOSL0923007

Read more

Refinancing your student loans can help save you money and reduce the amount of time you’ll be paying back your loan. However, as an international student, your options are limited. If you’re considering refinancing your student loans as an international student, it’s important to know where you can go and how it can help you.

How Refinancing Student Loans Works

Student loan refinancing is the process of replacing your current student loans with a new one, creating one monthly instead of several. You can refinance both federal and private student loans, potentially saving you money and time as you pay off your debt.

Student loan refinancing companies like SoFi offer fixed and variable interest rates that can be lower than what you’re currently paying on your student loans.

You can also choose from various student loan repayment options and terms, allowing you to pay off your loans as quickly as your budget allows. As you can guess, the shorter your repayment period, the more you’re likely to save on interest.

As you consider your strategy for paying off your student loan debt, refinancing can be a crucial element in helping you achieve your goal.

Another word you may hear that’s close to refinancing is consolidation. With other loans, the terms are typically synonymous. But with student loans, consolidation is generally associated with the federal direct loan consolidation program, while refinancing is typically done through a private lender.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

Where to Refinance Student Loans for International Students

It’s not always easy to know where to go, and it can be frustrating to get turned down over and over again because of your international student status. Many refinancing companies require you to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible but fortunately, some companies provide more flexibility for international students. For instance, SoFi as well as MPOWER can offer loans to international students. SoFi, for example, considers U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and people who hold a J-1, H-1B, E-2, O-1, or TN visa (as of the date of this article).

If you’re a permanent resident, you’ll need to either have at least two years left until your status expires or you’ve filed an extension. And if you’re a visa holder, you’ll need to have at least two years left before your status expires, or you’ve filed for a renewal or applied for permanent residency.

That said, qualifying based on your citizenship, resident, or visa status doesn’t necessarily mean you qualify based on all criteria. Student loan refinancing lenders also typically have credit and income requirements.

This means that if you don’t have an established credit history — which is not always the case for international students — you may have a tough time getting approved on your own.

If this is your situation, it might be worth getting a student loan co-signer, such as a trusted family member or friend who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, to apply with you to help strengthen the creditworthiness of your application. This can be helpful because this person acts as backup for your application — and lenders now can also rely on the co-signer for payment. Even if you do qualify to refinance your student loans on your own, a co-signer could help you get a lower interest rate.

To help improve your chances of getting approved with more favorable terms, such as a low rate, it’s a good idea to choose a co-signer who has a stellar credit history and a solid income.

Two Things to Consider Before Refinancing Your Student Loans

Refinancing might not be the right option for everyone. Here are three things to think about before you make your decision:

You May Not Qualify for a Lower Rate

Your eligibility and interest rate are based on several factors, including your credit history and income. As such, there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved for a lower interest rate than what you’re currently paying, even with a co-signer.

Also, if you already have a relatively low interest rate with your current lender, you may have a hard time getting an even lower rate.

Fortunately, some lenders, including SoFi, allow you to check your rate before you officially apply. This is done with a soft credit check, which doesn’t impact your credit score.

You May Not Qualify for a Lower Rate

Your eligibility and interest rate are based on several factors, including your credit history and income. As such, there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved for a lower interest rate than what you’re currently paying, even with a co-signer.

Also, if you already have a relatively low interest rate with your current lender, you may have a hard time getting an even lower rate.

Fortunately, some lenders, including SoFi, allow you to check your rate before you officially apply. This is done with a soft credit check, which doesn’t impact your credit score.

Refinancing Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle

As you think through your student loan repayment strategy, keep in mind that refinancing isn’t the end of the line. Once you complete the process of refinancing your loans, it’s important to still make sure you’re paying down your debt.

For example, consider getting on a budget and looking for ways to put extra cash toward your student loan payments each month.

Also, you could go with a shorter repayment period to save even more time and money on your debt.

The Takeaway

Be sure to check your eligibility requirements when it comes to refinancing student loans as an international student with private lenders. Also, consider adding a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to strengthen your application.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

---

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SoFi Loan Products
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.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOSL0923021

Read more

If the price of higher education is giving you sticker shock, you’re not alone.

The average cost of tuition for 2023-24 was $26,027 for in-state residents at public colleges, and $27,091 for out-of-state students. At private colleges, the average tuition and fees totaled a whopping $38,768!

Most students end up taking out student loans to cover the cost of college. Over 43 million Americans have federal student loan debt, with an average balance of $37,718 each. Combined, Americans now hold $1.766 trillion in student loan debt!

Paying off your loan may become a burden, especially if you opt for a career in public service, art, or another low-paying field. Your debt may also become unmanageable if you run into unexpected economic difficulties due to medical bills, losing your job, caring for a parent or child, or other challenges.

If more traditional student loan repayment plans aren’t working, you may want to think outside the box. One approach could be crowdfunding student loans. Here are some things to know about this creative way to tackle your debt.

What Is Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is the process of soliciting small contributions from multiple donors to meet a financial goal. Through online platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, people have turned to crowdfunding to raise money for entrepreneurial ventures, medical crises, disaster victims, classroom supplies, and much more.

You can solicit donations from friends, family, and even complete strangers. By splitting the contributions among a large quantity of people, crowdfunding is a way to meet a big financial goal while not having to rely on finding one major source of funding.

Raising money online makes it easy to share your campaign widely and for people to easily contribute. Increasingly, people have been crowdfunding to pay off their debt, including fundraising for college. That can include textbooks, tuition, studying abroad, or living expenses — or, of course, student loans.


💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.

Sites for Crowdfunding Your Student Loan Repayment

There are a number of sites that allow you to set up a crowdfunding campaign so you can pay off your student loans. Before you sign up, you’ll want to make sure that you understand all the rules and fees that you might encounter during the process.

Here are some crowdfunding sites to look into:

GoFundMe: GoFundMe is perhaps the best-known crowdfunding platform out there. Setting up a fundraiser is easy. Once you have a GoFundMe account and set a goal, you’re encouraged to tell your personal story of why you’re raising money and add a photo or video. Then you can share the campaign with your network of family, friends, coworkers, followers on social media, etc. Once your GoFundMe page starts raising money, you can start withdrawing it. While GoFundMe doesn’t charge fees for setting up a page, there are transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30, which includes debit and credit charges).

Rally.org: Rally.org works a lot like GoFundMe. Once you have an account, you can set a goal, tell your story, and then start sharing with friends and family. Like GoFundMe, you can start withdrawing money as soon as people start donating to your fundraiser. There’s one big difference between Rally.org and GoFundMe: the fees. While there’s only transaction fees on GoFundMe fundraisers, Rally.org charges 5% + credit card fees (2.9% + 30 cents) for each donation processed. That 5% can make it harder for you to reach your fundraising goal.

Gift of College: If you’re not looking to launch a full-blown crowdfunding campaign, but you do want to make it easier for friends or family to help you pay off your student loans in the form of gifts at birthdays, holidays, or graduation, you might consider an account with Gift of College. To get started, you set up an account and link your student loan account. Then you can share your profile with friends and family to encourage them to buy you Gift of College gift cards for special occasions. It’s free to set up a Gift of College account, but there is a 5% processing/service fee charged to the gift giver for every gift card they buy (though the fee is capped at $15 per transaction). Gift of College can also be attached to 529 accounts.

Is Crowdfunding for Repaying Student Loans a Good Idea?

There are pros and cons to turning to the crowdfunding model as a way of making a dent in your student loan debt. Let’s start with the positives. If your campaign is successful, it’s an easy way to earn money to pay off your debt, and you don’t have to do much in return. Earning and saving the same amount through a job would likely take much longer, depending on your living expenses.

Similar to a wedding registry, a crowdfunding site also makes it less awkward to ask people in your life for help, compared to just asking for money outright. You probably have lots of loved ones who would like to help you but don’t have an easy way to do it.

Another perk is that obtaining a lump sum and putting it toward your loan principal can greatly reduce the interest that accumulates and the amount you owe over the life of the loan. Finally, crowdfunding often works. There are many examples of successful campaigns out there to inspire you.

There are some downsides to consider. One is that a crowdfunding effort is likely to get you a chunk of money once, rather than a regular stream of funding.

Considering the size of most student loans, and how interest compounds over time, you may not raise enough money to pay off the entire loan. So you’ll still have to figure out a way to consistently make your monthly payments.

Also, how much you may earn is unpredictable — it depends on the strength of your campaign and the size of your network, plus the generosity of donors, so it’s a bit risky to rely on this to stay solvent.

Another con is that depending on the size of the donation, you may need to pay taxes on the money, so you wouldn’t get to keep the entire amount you raise. Finally, even though a specialized crowdfunding site makes it easier, it may still feel uncomfortable to ask people you know for money, especially if they are facing their own debts and financial challenges.

How To Set Up a Crowdfunding Campaign

Pick a crowdfunding platform: First, you need to pick a crowdfunding site to use. Review the terms carefully so you understand how the process works. You’ll want to see if the platform keeps a percentage of funds donated, what processing fees are charged, whether it allows employers or the general public to contribute, and whether the money goes to your lender directly or comes to you in the form of cash.

Set a goal: If your fundraising goal sounds impossibly high, it could prevent some people from donating. Starting with a number that’s ambitious but reasonable may help, even if it means asking for less than your total student loan amount.

Build trust with your funders: You need to spell out what you are going to do with the money. Potential donors likely want to know what, exactly, their gift is supporting. And they probably want to be sure it will actually go toward student loans and not other expenses. Make clear how exactly you will pay off the loan and how you will hold yourself accountable to donors can go a long way toward building trust.

Telling your personal story: People may be more likely to support you if they understand the impact they can have on your life. Telling your unique story can help make their gift about more than just debt. You could describe your past accomplishments and future goals, as well as how the support will help you achieve them. Try putting up photos and a video to help people connect with your goals emotionally.

Leveraging your network: In order to have a successful campaign you’ll need to share with people you know through email and social media. You might want to tie the campaign to a special occasion, such as your birthday or graduation. You can ask your network to share on their channels as well.

Keeping the momentum going: A successful campaign doesn’t end when you launch. Posting updates on your crowdfunding page regularly will keep people interested and remind them to donate could help you reach your goal.

Express gratitude: People are doing you a favor when you donate, so thank them early and often! It will make them feel good about their gifts and perhaps even encourage them to share your campaign or donate more down the line.

Thinking About Student Loan Refinancing

If you can fund your student loan debt in full through crowdfunding, congratulations! But most people can’t depend on this as a long-term strategy and will need to find additional ways to pay off the rest of their balance.

If you’re still struggling with student debt, refinancing your student loans may be another way to make your loans more affordable. You can refinance federal loans, private loans, or a mix of both by taking out a new loan with a private lender like SoFi and using it to pay off your old ones. Note that if you do refinance federal loans with a private lender, you will lose eligibility for federal student loan benefits like deferment and income-driven repayment programs.

You may be able to qualify for a lower interest rate or lower monthly payments, depending on your credit history and income. It could be worth checking what rates you’d qualify for by applying for pre-qualification online. If you refinance with SoFi, membership includes complimentary support from career coaches and protection during periods of unemployment for those who qualify. Plus there are no hidden fees.

The Takeaway

With student debt growing exponentially, it’s worth considering creative solutions. Crowdfunding can be a relatively easy way to make a dent in your student loans without investing a lot of time. But for most people, it won’t be enough to eliminate their debt completely.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

---

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SoFi Loan Products
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.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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.

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.

SOSL0923017

Read more