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How much cash back are people actually getting from their credit cards? Who charges the most money to their card, boomers or Gen Z? Does having a credit card mean you’re more likely to have good credit compared to someone who doesn’t?

These questions, and many more, are what we set out to answer in our study on cash-back credit card users*.

We surveyed a total of 1,205 people—802 who use cash-back credit cards to pay for most expenses and 403 who primarily use a debit card, cash, or money app (such as Venmo). By analyzing and comparing the two groups, we were able to learn more about how preferred payment methods can affect spending and budgeting habits.

Read on for the 18 most interesting findings from our research.

Notes: Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number, so some data sets may not add up to 100%.

*We focused on cash-back rewards because they are the most popular type of credit card perk.

    1. $50 was the median amount people made in cash-back rewards in a month.

Our study found that $50 was the median amount people earned in cash-back rewards in a month.

But certain age groups may be more savvy about racking up their rewards than others.

The median cash-back amount by generation was:

•  Boomers: $20

•  Gen X: $40

•  Millennials: $50

•  Gen Z: $59.50

Because boomers are likely to have higher earnings and more savings than the other age groups, they may be less concerned about maxing out their cash-back rewards. And Gen Z respondents, who may have smaller salaries and bank accounts, might have learned to be savvy with their cash-back rewards card out of financial necessity.

    2. Three-quarters of cash-back credit card users save up their rewards over time.

75% of all cash-back credit card users prefer to save their rewards versus cashing them out every month.

Respondents may have long-term goals in mind for their cash-back credit card. By accruing the cash they can use it for a larger purchase.

    3. A majority of cash-back credit card users have “Very Good” or “Excellent” credit.

Our study found that a majority (58%) of cash-back credit card users have “very good” or “excellent” credit (meaning a score of 740 or above).

In fact, people who use a cash-back credit card are more than twice as likely to have “excellent” credit (a score of 800-850) compared to those who used a debit card, cash, or money-transfer app to make most of their purchases (23% vs. 9%).

Debit, cash, and money app users were five times more likely to have “poor” credit (a score of 579 or below) than cash-back rewards cardholders (15% vs. 3%).

Breaking down the data by age we discovered:

•  71% of boomers who use cash-back credit cards have “very good” or “excellent” credit.

•  55% of Gen Xers who use cash-back credit cards have “very good” or “excellent” credit.

•  53% of millennials who use cash-back credit cards have “very good” or “excellent” credit.

•  48% of Gen Zers who use cash-back credit cards have “very good” or “excellent” credit.

Older credit card users may have better credit because they’ve had more time to build their credit history.

    4. The amount of money spent by cash-back credit card users in a month was 67% greater than the amount spent by debit, cash, and money app users.

The difference is significant: Our study found that the money cash-back credit card users spent in a month was 67% more than the amount of money that debit, cash, and money app users spent.

The median spending amount for:

•  Cash-back credit card users was $1,000.

•  Debit card, cash, and money app users was $600.

Cash-back credit cardholders may feel incentivized to spend money since they know they’ll earn rewards on their purchases. Credit cards also allow for greater financial flexibility compared to debit cards.

Consider this: If the group who primarily uses a debit card, cash, or money app were to use a 2% cash-back credit card, they could potentially earn an extra $144 in a year (2% x $600/month x12 months = $144). If they were to use a 3% cash-back credit card, they would potentially pocket over $200 in a year, just in rewards (3% x $600/month x 12 months = $216).

    5. Gen Zers are the most conservative credit card spenders compared to other age groups.

Surprisingly, Gen Zers are the most frugal credit card spenders compared to all other age groups.

The median spending amount for Gen Z cash-back credit card holders was half that of Gen Xers and millennials.

Cash-back cards spending by generation:

•  Boomers: $700

•  Gen X: $1,000

•  Millennials: $1,000

•  Gen Z: $500

Gen Xers and millennials spent the most ($1,000), which could be because these groups are more likely to have growing families and more expenses. Gen Zers spent $500; contributing factors could be lower credit limits, financial support from their parents, and fewer financial obligations.

    6. More than half of respondents use their card to pay for mortgage, rent, and/or utilities.

More than half of people who regularly use a cash-back credit card (57%) used it to pay for their mortgage, rent, and/or utilities in March 2022. With living expenses on the rise, and the potential to earn considerable points, it makes sense that people would put these bills on their cash-back card.

There are some gender and age differences. We discovered that 65% of men used their cash-back card to pay for mortgage, rent, and/or utilities, compared to 47% of women. Millennials and Gen Zers were the age groups most likely to put these expenses on their credit card, and Boomers were the least likely.

Percentage of cash-back credit card users who paid for mortgage, rent, and/or utilities with their card:

•  Boomers: 41%

•  Gen X: 49%

•  Millennials: 64%

•  Gen Z: 62%

    7. More than one in 10 respondents spent over $500 on gas in March alone.

According to our study, 12% of cash-back credit card users spent over $500 on gas in the month of March. That means the amount of money these respondents spent on gas was more than the average monthly car payment for a used vehicle ($488).

Method of payment didn’t affect how much respondents spent on gas overall. We found that 10% of debit card, cash, and money app users spent over $500 on gas. The big difference: These consumers were not able to earn cash back on their petrol purchases the way cash-back credit card users were.

    8. Debit card, cash, and money app users may have a harder time saving compared to credit card users.

Over the course of a month, we found that:

•  33% of debit card, cash, and money app users were not able to put any money into savings.

•  15% of cash-back credit card users were not able to put anything into savings.

This means debit card, cash, and money app users are more than twice as likely to be unable to contribute to their savings compared to cash-back credit card users.

Looking at respondents who put at least $100 into savings in a month, we discovered that 72% of cash-back credit card users were able to do so, compared to 52% of debit card, cash, and money app users.

    9. Millennials may be the best savers of all the age groups.

Based on the results of our survey, millennials were the star savers. The median amount they put into savings monthly was $300.

Gen X and Gen Z save $250 and $287 monthly, respectively.

Boomers had the lowest median monthly savings amount at $100. One possible reason: Since they likely have some savings built up, they may not need to contribute as much to their nest egg as the younger generations.

    10. People in relationships were able to save three times as much as single people.

Being in a relationship may lead to fiscal stability. According to our survey, respondents who were married or living with a partner were able to save three times as much as those who were single, widowed, or divorced.

The monthly median savings amount for people who are:

•  Married or living with a partner was $300.

•  Single, widowed, or divorced was $100.

Those who are married or living with a partner had a median monthly spending amount of $1,000—meaning they save $0.30 for every $1 they spend. Those who are single, widowed, or divorced had a monthly median spending amount of $800, so they save about $0.13 for every $1 they spend.

    11. Men are twice as likely to spoil their pets compared to women.

Dogs really are man’s best friend: Men are more than twice as likely as women to spend a significant sum on their pets.

Overall, 9% of all cash-back credit card users spent over $500 on their pet in a month.

Breaking down the numbers, we found that:

•  12% of men spent over $500 on their pets in a month.

•  6% of women spent over $500 on their pets in a month.

Money can’t buy love, but it can buy toys and treats.

    12. More than one in 10 people spent over $500 on restaurants in a month.

Our survey found that 14% of cash-back credit card users spent over $500 on restaurants and bars. More specifically, 17% of men spent over $500 in a month versus 10% of women.

Millennials are most likely to spend a lot of money on restaurants and bars. This age group had nine times the percentage of respondents who spent over $500 compared to boomers.

Respondents who spent over $500 on restaurants in a month by generation:

•  Boomers – 2%

•  Gen X – 12%

•  Millennials – 18%

•  Gen Z – 13%

Debit card, cash, and money app users were not far behind—12% of these consumers spent over $500 on restaurants in a month. If they used a rotating rewards card that offered 5% back on dining instead, they would potentially earn $25 in rewards in a month, or $300 a year!

    13. Gen Z spent the most on clothes and shoes.

According to our survey, 20% of Gen Zers spent over $500 in a month on outfits and shoes.

To put it into perspective, here’s the percentage of cash-back credit card users in different age groups who spent over $500 on clothing and shoes in a month:

•  Boomers: 4%

•  Gen X: 10%

•  Millennials:18%

•  Gen Z: 20%

Boomers are the most frugal when it comes to new clothes. More than one-third spent $0 on clothing and shoes in a month.

Percentage of cash-back credit card users who spent nothing on clothing and shoes in a month:

•  Boomers: 35%

•  Gen X: 22%

•  Millennials: 16%

•  Gen Z: 11%

    14. Gas was the most regretted purchase for all respondents, regardless of payment method.

When asked what purchase respondents regretted most, gas rose to the top, regardless of payment method.

Here are a few other notable answers we received for most regrettable purchase:

•  A puppy my son said he would take care of and didn’t

•  A plane ticket and then forgetting what day the flight was

•  A ticket to a bad movie

•  I got scammed trying to buy an NFT

•  Crypto futures

•  A book shelf that fell apart two days after I put it together

•  A $1,000 pair of shoes

•  The wrong kind of ice cream

•  A gym membership I didn’t use

    15. Groceries and food purchases bring people the most joy.

When we asked cash-back credit card users what purchase brought them the most joy, we expected answers like vacations or special clothing. Instead, food and groceries were the most common responses.

We also discovered that people were happiest with purchases that involved a family member or pet, as illustrated by these responses:

•  Birthday present for my mom

•  Dinner with the wife for date night

•  My dog getting her tooth/mouth fixed as she wasn’t in pain any longer

•  A new bike for my daughter

•  Dog’s birthday gifts

•  My wedding dress

•  Gifts for my grandchildren

•  Catnip and wet food

•  Lunch for my dad on his birthday

•  A video game that me and my daughter play

•  Taking care of my dog at the emergency vet because her life was saved

•  Anniversary vacation with my wife

•  My heart surgery

    16. Men are more than twice as likely to spend over $500 on entertainment compared to women.

In one month, 15% of men who use cash-back credit cards spent over $500 on entertainment* compared to just 6% of women.

Of those men:

•  21% used a rotating-reward cash-back credit card.

•  11% used a flat-rate cash-back credit card.

That means men who have a rotating rewards cash-back card are almost twice as likely to spend over $500 on entertainment compared to men who use a flat-rate cash-back credit card.

*”Entertainment” was defined as “sports, concerts, etc.”

    17. Millennials were the biggest travelers, but Gen Z isn’t far behind.

Traveling can be an amazing experience, and being able to do so now is a sign that life is returning to normal. So who is going places? Looking at travel expenditures by age group, we found millennials to be the biggest travelers, with Gen Z right behind them.

Percentage of cash-back card users who spent over $500 on travel in a month:

•  Boomers: 5%

•  Gen X: 15%

•  Millennials: 21%

•  Gen Z: 18%

These numbers may speak to a greater travel trend, which predicts that Gen Z will overtake millennials in travel spending this year. According to Travel Pulse, 72% of Gen Zers are planning to splurge on a vacation in 2022, while 68% or millennials plan to do the same.

    18. Men are more likely to spend a lot of money on home decor compared to women.

In our study, we found that 16% of all men who have cash-back credit cards spent over $500 on home-related expenses (furniture, decor, repairs), compared to 10% of women.

Of these men, 13% were single, divorced, or widowed, and 16% were married. Looking at the women who spent over $500 using their cash-back rewards card, 10% were married and lived with their partner, and 9% were single, divorced, or widowed.

The Takeaway

Our survey found that payment method, gender, and age can all affect a person’s spending and savings. For instance, men tend to spend more on their pets and home furnishings than women. Gen Zers accrue the most credit card rewards; boomers the least. And the majority of cash-back credit card users have “very good” or “excellent” credit scores.

In addition, cash-back credit card users are more likely to be able to put money into savings compared to people who use a debit card, cash, or money app to pay for most of their purchases. Perhaps the money they get in rewards goes into their nest egg.

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¹See Rewards Details at SoFi.com/card/rewards.

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in direct deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus when they set up direct deposits of at least $1,000 over a consecutive 25-day period. Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of direct deposit. The Program will be available through 12/31/23. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 3/17/2023. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

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.


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Do you know who oversees your student loans? If you’ve taken out loans from a variety of lenders, it can be hard to keep track. But it’s important to know who your student loan servicers and/or lenders are so you can make payments on time and reach out with any questions.

You’ll also want to contact your loan servicer or lender if you’re having trouble paying back your loan to discuss your options. Falling behind on payments or defaulting on a loan can have serious financial consequences. Here’s what to know about the different types of student loan servicers and lenders—and how to identify your own.

What Is a Student Loan Lender?

A lender is any individual or institution that loans money to someone and expects it to be paid back, usually with interest. In the case of private student loans, your lender is typically a bank or other financial institution.

When it comes to federal student loan providers, your lender is the federal government. But while you’re borrowing funds from the government, several different companies—called loan servicers—handle the administration of the loan and collect payments.

What Are Student Loan Servicers?

The federal government contracts with student loan servicers to take care of billing borrowers, setting up repayment plans, handling loan consolidation, and administering other tasks related to federal student loans.

The government currently works with nine different loan servicers to handle Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL). If you’ve ever wondered, “who is my student loan servicer?” it’s likely one of the following companies:

•  FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)

•  Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.

•  Edfinancial (HESC)

•  MOHELA

•  Aidvantage

•  Nelnet

•  OSLA Servicing

•  ECSI

•  Default Resolution Group

What Do Student Loan Servicers Do?

Loan servicers are the main point of contact for the administration of your loan. Here are some of the main functions of federal student loan servicers:

Collect Payments

The U.S. Department of Education assigns your loan to a loan servicer after it’s disbursed. As mentioned, your student loan servicer handles the billing and customer service for your student loans.

For federal loans, you can reach out to your loan servicer to confirm your balance and interest rate, or check your monthly payment. It’s helpful to register on the loan servicer’s site so you can stay on top of payments and understand what you owe. If you have any questions, it’s worth reaching out to ask.

In some cases, the department may decide to transfer your loans from one loan servicer to another. If this happens, you’ll receive a letter from the new servicer that will include the company’s contact information.

Execute Deferment or Forbearance Requests

If you run into financial hardship, contact your loan servicer to discuss options, such as applying for deferment or forbearance. One of the worst things to do is avoid contacting your lender or loan servicer because you’re embarrassed, confused, or overwhelmed.

These institutions are designed to help you understand your loan and pay it off according to schedule, and that means explaining things you don’t understand or working with you to come up with a more affordable repayment plan.

Handle Repayment Plan Changes

Loan servicers can help you figure out the best repayment plan for you and whether to consolidate your student loans. Federal borrowers can change their repayment plan at any time without any fees.

For example, if you’re hoping to lower your monthly student loan payment, you can extend your loan term. You’ll pay more in interest over the life of the loan, but it’s one way to get relief if you’re struggling to make payments.

On the flip side, you can shorten your loan term if you’d like to pay off your loan sooner. There are also income-driven repayment plans that tie the amount of a borrower’s income to their monthly payments.

Help Process Loan Consolidation Requests

If you’re looking to simplify your payments, your loan servicer can help you consolidate your federal loans through the Direct Loan Program, combining different federal loans into a single new loan with an interest rate that’s a weighted average of all of your existing federal loan rates. Keep in mind you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan due to the rate change.

Your loan servicer can also help you determine if you’re eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness or other types of federal loan forgiveness and help you find out if you’re on the right repayment plan to qualify.

How To Find Your Student Loan Servicer or Lender

Finding your student loan servicer can vary depending on the types of student loans that you have. Here are some of the most common ones:

Private Student Loans

There generally aren’t private student loan servicers; your main point of contact is your lender. You can find contact information for your private student loan lender on the emails or billing statements you should be receiving each month once you enter repayment.

Some private lenders also send a welcome packet or call you once you begin repayment. You can also look for their contact details on the documents you received when you first took out the loan, such as a promissory note.

If you’ve completely lost sight of your private student loan lender, you can confirm who they are by checking your credit report. You can request one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The financial aid office at your school may also be able to help you track down your lender.

Federal Student Loan Lenders

For federal student loans, you can log in to the Federal Student Aid site in order to confirm the name of your loan servicers and retrieve their contact information.

Another option is to check the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This Department of Education database is a centralized repository of information about your student loans, aggregating data from universities, federal loan programs, and more.

Federal Perkins Loans

For federal student loans outside of the Direct Loan and FFEL programs, you can find out information about your loan servicer in other ways.

For a Federal Perkins Loan, contact the school that issued it, which may also be your loan servicer. If your Federal Perkins Loan has been transferred to the Department of Education, contact the ECSI Federal Perkins Loan Servicer at 1-866-313-3797.

If you have a FFEL Program loan owned by a private lender and not the Department of Education, you can find the lender’s details on your credit report as well.

Contacting Your Lender or Loan Servicer

Most lenders and loan servicers make it easy for you to contact them. They want you to be able to get in touch easily to make sure repayment goes as smoothly as possible. You can find phone numbers and website URLs for the nine federal loan servicers on the Department of Education site.

Loan servicers are generally available by phone, mail, and email, and some are also accessible through live online chat. You can find contact information for a private lender by searching online or reviewing mail or email correspondence they have sent you.

Why Might You Need to Contact Your Student Loan Servicer?

As mentioned earlier, you can reach out to your federal loan servicer for payment questions or issues or to adjust your payment plan. You can also apply for deferment or forbearance or look into forgiveness options.

Ignoring payment problems, or neglecting your student loans, can backfire in the long term. If your student loans become delinquent or you default on your student loans, there can be serious financial repercussions, including the unpaid balance of the loan being due immediately.

If you’re having trouble making payments, contact your loan servicer to find out payment options that may be available to you.

Don’t try to reach out to a loan servicer for questions about the status of your loan application or disbursement amounts and timelines—those are queries best left to your financial aid office since they are the ones responsible for ultimately disbursing your loan.

The same goes for questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) should be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-4-FED-AID).

Recommended: FAFSA Guide

The Takeaway

While you may borrow money from the federal government, student loan servicers—private companies that work with the Department of Education—oversee the administration of your loan. They collect payments, handle applications for deferment or forbearance, assist with repayment plan changes, and offer customer service and general assistance. When you have a private student loan, the lender generally oversees the administration of the loan.

If you have any questions about your loan or if you’re having trouble making payments on your loan, you should reach out as soon as possible to your student loan servicer or lender. They may be able to help you find solutions that will prevent you from defaulting on your loan.

Wondering if your student loans are with the lender or servicer that’s right for you? Learn more about refinancing your student loans with SoFi.

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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.

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.

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Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.

Wondering what to do about your undergraduate school loans before starting graduate school? There are several options to consider, including deferment and refinancing college student loans.

Some grad students defer loan repayment while enrolled in school or refinance college student loans before starting a graduate program. As with your undergraduate student loans, the right choice for you will depend on a range of factors, such as whether you have federal or private student loans as well as how you plan to pay for grad school. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of graduate school loan refinancing.

Grad School Student Loans

Before considering whether you should refinance your college student loans, it may be helpful to consider how you’ll be paying for graduate school. The average cost of public, in-state tuition for graduate school was $12,410 for the academic year 2019-2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For a private institution, that number more than doubles to $26,597. In fact, graduate student loans account for 40 percent of federal student loans, according to The Center for American Progress.

You may be eligible for various types of student financial aid, including federal loans and private student loans. You’ll likely want to start by pursuing options such as grants (federal or private) that don’t need to be repaid, work-study programs, and federal loans.

Federal loans offer some benefits and protections, such as fixed interest rates, income-driven repayment plans, and access to forgiveness programs. As a grad student, you can apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct Grad PLUS Loan. (Direct Subsidized Loans are only an option for undergrads.) If federal options don’t cover what you’ll need to pay for grad school, private loans may be an option. Here are the most common grad school student loans.

Recommended: How Do Student Loans Work?

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

With federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, students enrolled at least part-time can access financing at a fixed interest rate. Unlike Direct Subsidized Loans, the government doesn’t pay for accrued interest while you’re in school, during the loan’s grace period, or if a loan is in deferment. This means you’re responsible for repaying all interest charges that incur.

Although you can choose not to pay interest while you’re in school and during periods of deferment, the accumulated interest will capitalize. Capitalized interest means the unpaid interest charges are added to your principal balance, so that when you start making student loan payments, you’ll pay interest on a larger balance.

Your school will determine how much in Direct Unsubsidized Loans you can borrow each academic year, up to the maximum of $20,500. (Students enrolled in certain health profession programs may be eligible for additional loan amounts.) Any existing undergraduate federal loans you have will count toward the $138,500 aggregate federal loan limit for grad students and may affect the amount you’re able to borrow.

Direct Grad PLUS Loans

Graduate and professional students enrolled at least half-time can also look into federal fixed-rate Direct Grad PLUS Loans if they need more funding. Direct PLUS Loans are the only federal loan program that require a credit check.

Like Direct Unsubsidized Loans, you’re fully responsible for all interest charges that accrue. You also have the option to let interest charges capitalize on the account if you choose not to make interest payments while you’re in school or during deferment.

The maximum you can borrow through a Direct Grad PLUS Loan is the cost of attendance minus any existing financial aid you’ve received.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans offer non-federal funding from a private institution, like a bank, online lender, college, or credit union.

Private student loans can come with fixed or variable interest rates, and eligibility criteria and terms differ between lenders. Graduate students who’ve built a positive credit history might qualify for more competitive rates. Students with adverse credit — or those applying to grad school who haven’t graduated college yet — might require the help of a cosigner to qualify.

If you’re considering a private student loan, always compare multiple offers from different lenders to find the lowest rate for you.

Do You Have to Pay Undergraduate Loans While in Graduate School?

If you have federal student loans and you’re enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school, you can opt to defer payment on your loans while you’re in graduate school.

In-school deferment for a federal loan is typically automatic after your school reports your enrollment status. Expect to receive a notice from your loan servicer that your loans are in deferment. If your loans aren’t automatically placed on deferment, ask your school to report your enrollment status.

Keep in mind that if you defer federal loan payments while you’re in school, interest on deferred Direct Unsubsidized Loans from your undergrad years will continue to accrue and capitalize. You also won’t make any progress toward loan forgiveness, if you plan on participating in programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Choosing when to pay back student loans and whether to take advantage of federal loan deferment is a personal decision that depends on your individual financial situation.

If you borrowed private student loans while pursuing your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to contact your lenders about your options. Not all private lenders offer in-school deferment and eligibility may vary.

Recommended: Examining How Student Loan Deferment Works

Should I Refinance Before Grad School?

If you only have federal Direct Subsidized Loans, you don’t need to make payments while in school and, since interest doesn’t accrue, it won’t make sense to refinance. If you have Direct Unsubsidized or private student loans, however, refinancing college student loans might help lower your monthly obligation by extending your loan term or lowering your interest rate.

Keep in mind if you refinance a federal loan with a private lender, you’ll lose access to federal protections and benefits. And extending your term may mean that when you start making payments, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan and will be in debt longer. To find the choice that’s right for you, it’s helpful to look at the pros and cons of graduate school loan refinancing.

Refinancing College Student Loans, Explained

A student loan refinance lets you put one or multiple student loans, federal and/or private, into a new loan — ideally, with a lower interest rate. This loan is provided by a private lender, and it will pay off your original student loans in full. In turn, you’ll repay the lender under the new refinance loan which can be at a fixed or variable rate, as well as a different repayment term. As mentioned earlier, if you refinance a federal loan with a private lender, it will no longer be eligible for federal benefits and protections.

If your goal is to reduce the monthly loan payments for private and/or unsubsidized loans while you’re in grad school, for example, you might consider extending your term to make smaller payments over time.

Pros of Refinancing Before Grad School

Refinancing is a repayment strategy that offers some advantages.

Lets You Change Your Loan Term

When you refinance, you can change the specific repayment terms of your original undergraduate loan — electing, for example, a 10-year term instead of a five-year one (again, this may result in your paying more interest over the life of the loan.)

Allows for a Reallocation of Your Monthly Budget

A longer term reduces your monthly payment amount. As a grad student, freeing up money upfront can help pay for graduate school expenses, like textbooks, lab equipment, and fees.

Simplifies Repayment for Two or More Undergraduate Loans

Student loan refinancing helps simplify your repayment experience. Instead of managing payment amounts and due dates for multiple undergraduate loans, a student loan refinance results in one monthly payment and one due date to remember.

Cons of Refinancing Before Grad School

Although there are advantages to refinancing college student loans, there are downsides, too.

You may pay More Interest Over Time

Again, an extended repayment term may result in paying more interest over time, and paying more toward your education loan overall. It also prolongs the amount of time you’ll be in debt.

You’ll Lose Access to Federal Loan Forgiveness

Refinanced federal student loans won’t be eligible for forgiveness or other current or future federal loan benefits. This applies to all refinanced student loans, regardless of whether they originated as a federal loan.

Recommended: Can Refinanced Student Loans Still Be Forgiven?

Some Refinance Lenders Don’t Offer Academic Deferment

If you originally had federal loans from your undergrad, you’ll no longer receive automatic in-school deferment after refinancing. Although some lenders, like SoFi, offer eligible members in-school deferment, not all lenders do. This means you might be required to continue refinance payments while you’re studying for your grad program.

Pros: refinancing college student loans	Cons: refinancing college student loans
Extending your loan term can help lower your monthly payment.	Extending your student loan term means paying more interest over time.
Monthly savings can be put toward graduate expenses today.	Refinancing a federal loan means losing access to student loan forgiveness programs.
You can simplify repayment for multiple undergraduate loans into one new loan.	Not all refinance lenders offer in-school deferment while you’re in grad school.

Refinancing Student Loans With SoFi

If you’ve decided to refinance your student loans, comparing a few different lenders can help you find the right fit for your needs. SoFi’s student loan refinancing offers flexible terms, no fees, no prepayment penalties — and you can view your rate in 2 minutes.

Learn more about a SoFi student loan refinance today.

FAQ

Can you refinance student loans before graduation?

Yes, you can technically apply for a student loan refinance at any time. But proceed with caution when refinancing federal loans. Doing so removes you from the federal loan system and you’ll lose access to income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness, and other federal loan benefits and protections. Also, for Direct Unsubsidized loans, there is a six-month grace period after graduation, when payments aren’t due yet.

If I go to grad school, can I defer my loans?

Yes, you can defer federal student loans as long as you’re enrolled at least half-time in grad school. However, if your federal student loans aren’t Direct Subsidized, the interest may still accrue.

Do undergraduate loans affect grad school student loans?

Yes, for federal loans, undergraduate loans count toward the $138,500 aggregated loan limit that graduate students are allowed to borrow. Your available federal loan funds toward grad school might be limited, based on how much you borrowed as an undergraduate student.

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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.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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Federal financial aid funds are generally referred to as Title IV under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and are administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Title IV funds may come from grants, work-study, or student loans. It’s important that students understand all of their options when it comes to paying for college.

Here are some more details about Title IV financial aid, how it works and how these funds can help pay for school-related expenses.

What Is Title IV?

Under the HEA, Title IV refers to federal financial aid funds. Title IV of the HEA authorizes student financial aid programs of the federal government, which are the primary source of direct federal support to students attending certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). These institutions include public, private nonprofit, and proprietary institutions, which must meet a variety of criteria to participate in Title IV programs.

Federal aid awarded to students can be used to pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Federal financial aid is mainly distributed to students through federal student loans, grants, and work-study.

In 2021, Federal Student Aid (FSA) processed more than 17.6 million FAFSA® forms — otherwise known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In 2021, $112 billion was delivered via Title IV financial aid to more than 10.1 million postsecondary students and their families. These students attended 5,600 active institutions of postsecondary education that participate in federal student aid programs.

Different Types of Title IV Funds

Title IV doesn’t include all forms of financial aid that can be used to help pay for college. Here is what Title IV does cover.

•   Direct Subsidized Loans are a type of federal student loan available to undergraduates where a borrower isn’t generally responsible for paying interest while in school. Direct Subsidized Loans are only available to students who demonstrate financial need.

•   Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans available to undergraduates and graduates where a borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan.

•   Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans available to graduates or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for college or career school.

•   Direct Consolidation Loans are federal loans that allow the borrower to combine multiple federal student loans into a single new loan.

•   Federal Grant Programs offer eligible students financial assistance by the U.S. government out of the general federal revenue. Title IV covers several federal grant programs, including Federal Pell Grants, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant Program.

•   Federal Work-Study Program is a federally-funded program that offers part-time employment to students in financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for school-related expenses.

Who Is Eligible for Title IV?

To be eligible for federal student aid, you must meet basic eligibility requirements . Students must:

•   Demonstrate financial need for most programs.

•   Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

•   Have a valid Social Security number.

•   Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certification program.

•   Enrolled at least half-time for Direct Loan Program funds.

•   Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

•   Sign the certification statement on the FAFSA stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you will only use federal student aid for educational purposes.

•   Show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or its equivalent or enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives.

Some Title IV programs have additional eligibility criteria specific to the program. Check with your school’s financial aid office for more information or questions on a particular program.

Recommended: FAFSA Guide

What Can Title IV Loans Be Used For?

Title IV loans can be used for tuition and fees, room and board, books and classroom supplies, transportation and even some eligible living expenses. Tuition is typically the largest expense. According to the College
Board , the average college tuition including fees for a private four-year nonprofit institution in 2021-2022 is $38,070 while the average for a public, out-of-state four-year institution is $27,560 and $10,740 for a public four-year institution with in-state tuition.

Beyond tuition, Title IV loans can also be used to purchase books and school supplies, like a backpack, laptop, and notebooks. To help reduce costs, you can purchase used textbooks or rent them through your school or other services. Title IV loans can also help cover housing expenses and food costs, even if you live off-campus, and pay for the maintenance of your car, fuel, or bus and taxi fares.

If Title IV loans are used inappropriately, the school can report it to the Department of Education via a hotline and you may be held liable for those funds.

Recommended: Using Student Loans for Living Expenses and Housing

Title IV Payments

As mentioned, grants, scholarships, and work-study attained through Title IV generally don’t need to be repaid. However, as mentioned, student loans do need to be repaid.

Once you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school, your federal student loan goes into repayment and you must make Title IV payments. However, if you have a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, there is a six-month grace period before you are required to start making regular payments. Graduate and professional student PLUS borrowers will be placed on an automatic deferment while in school and for six months after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

When your loan enters repayment, your loan servicer will automatically enroll you on the Standard Repayment Plan, which spreads monthly payments over a 10-year period. This can be changed at any time for free. You can also make prepayments on your loan while you are in school or during your grace period.

Your loan servicer will provide you with a repayment schedule with the due date of your first payment, the number and frequency of payments and the amount of each payment. Your monthly payment depends on your chosen repayment plan. Most Title IV loan services will send out an email when your billing statement is ready to be viewed online.

What to Do if Your Title IV Loans Aren’t Enough

If your Title IV loans aren’t enough to cover all costs, there are other options.

You can apply for scholarships or grants, which are a form of gift aid that typically do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, such as academic or athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, financial need and more. Most grants for college are need-based.

Another option is a part-time job. Your school may have job boards that list on-campus jobs for students or you could check external job sites for part-time opportunities.

Once you’ve exhausted every other option, private student loans are another possibility to consider. Private student loans can be used to cover college costs, but they are issued by banks, credit unions, and online lenders rather than the federal government. Private student loans are also credit-based and the lender will have their own eligibility criteria. The lender will typically review factors including your credit history, income, debt, and whether you’re enrolled in a qualified educational program. If you don’t have enough credit history or enough proof of income, you may choose to apply with a cosigner. Adding a cosigner with an established credit history can help improve your application and potentially allow you to qualify for a more competitive loan.

If you take out student loans, you can refinance them after you graduate to save money when it’s time to repay. Refinancing involves taking out a new loan and using it to repay all your existing loans, which can include federal loans and private loans. Refinancing student loans with a private lender also means forfeiting federal loan benefits like deferment, forbearance or income-driven repayment plans.

Recommended: I Didn’t Get Enough Financial Aid: Now What?

The Takeaway

Title IV financial aid has given millions of students the means to afford and attend college, university and trade school. And if you don’t receive enough Title IV aid, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to funding your college education. By applying for scholarships, taking on part-time jobs, applying for private student loans or refinancing, you can make your dreams a reality.

If refinancing seems like an option for you, consider SoFi. It only takes minutes to apply, even with a cosigner, and there are no fees, period.

Check out student loan refinancing with SoFi and find what works for you.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Title IV?

Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the HEA. The FSA’s mission is to ensure that all eligible students benefit from federal financial assistance throughout postsecondary education.

What is included in Title IV?

Title IV provides grant, work-study, and loan funds to students attending college or career school.

Is Title IV a loan?

Title IV does include federal student loans such as Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized loans. However, Title IV funds are also distributed to students through federal grants and work-study programs.

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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.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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.

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.

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.

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