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Figuring out how to prepare for a recession — or any crisis — can be difficult. When facing a potential recession, financial decisions take on a new weight. After all, financial policy may change during a recession, which can leave consumers with questions. For example, if the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, should you borrow money during a recession?

While lower recession interest rates might sound appealing, there are lots of things to consider before borrowing money during a recession.

Understanding Recessions

A recession is a period of time when economic activity significantly declines. In the U.S., the National Bureau of Economic Research defines a recession as more than a few months of significant decline across different sectors of the economy. We see this decline in changes to the gross domestic product, unemployment rates, and incomes.

In essence, a recession is a period of time when spending drops. As a result, businesses ramp down production, lay off staff, and/or close altogether, which in turn causes a continued decrease in spending.

There are many possible causes of the recession. Usually, recessions are caused by a wide variety of factors — including economic, geopolitical, and even psychological — all coinciding to create the conditions for a recession.

For example, a recession could be caused by a major disruption in oil access due to global conflict, or by the bursting of a financial bubble created by artificially depressed interest rates on home loans during a financial boom (as was partially the case with the 2008 financial crisis in the U.S.). A recession also could be caused in part by something like a pandemic, which could create supply chain disruptions, force businesses into failure, and change spending habits.

As for how psychology plays a role in recessions, financial actors might be more likely to invest in a new business or home renovation during boom years when the market seems infallible. But when an economic downturn or recession starts, gloomy economic forecasts could make people more likely to put off big purchases or financial plans out of fear. In aggregate, these psychological decisions may help control the market.

In the case of a recession, for example, many people choosing not to spend out of fear could cause a further contraction of the market, and consequently further a recession.

Financial Policy During a Recession

Economic policy might temporarily change in an effort to keep the market relatively stable amid the destabilization a recession can bring. The Federal Reserve, which controls monetary policy in the U.S., often takes steps to curb unemployment and stabilize prices during a recession.

The Federal Reserve’s first line of defense when it comes to managing a recession is often to lower interest rates. The Fed accomplishes this by lowering the interest rates for banks lending to other banks. That lowered rate then ripples throughout the rest of the financial system, culminating in reduced interest rates for businesses and individuals.

Lowering the interest rate could help to stem a recession by decreasing costs for businesses and allowing consumers to take advantage of low interest rates to buy things using credit. The increase in business and purchasing might in turn help offset a recession.

The Federal Reserve also may take other monetary policy actions in an attempt to curb a recession, like quantitative easing. Quantitative easing, also known as QE, is when the Federal Reserve creates new money and then uses that money to purchase assets like government bonds in order to stimulate the economy.

The manufacturing of new money under QE may help to fight deflation because the increase in available money lowers the value of the dollar. Additionally, QE can push interest rates down because federal purchasing of securities lowers the risks to lending institutions. Lower risks can translate to lower rates.

Recommended: Federal Reserve Interest Rates, Explained

Downsides to Borrowing Money During a Recession

How do you prepare for a recession? It might seem smart to borrow during this time, thanks to those sweet recession interest rates. But there are other considerations that are important when deciding whether borrowing during a recession is the right move. Keep in mind the following potential downsides:

•   There’s a heightened risk of borrowing during a recession thanks to other difficult financial conditions. Disruptive financial conditions like furloughs or layoffs could make it more difficult to make monthly payments on loans. After all, regular monthly expenses don’t go away during a recession, so borrowers could be in a tough position if they take on a new loan and then are unable to make payments after losing a job. Missed payments could negatively impact a borrower’s credit score and their ability to borrow in the future.

•   It may be harder to find a bank willing to lend during a recession. Lower interest rates may mean that a bank or lending institution isn’t able to make as much money from loans. This may make lending institutions more hesitant.

•   Lenders could be reluctant to lend to borrowers who may be unable to pay due to changes in the economy. Most forms of borrowing require borrowers to meet certain personal loan requirements in order to take out a loan. If a borrower’s financial situation is more unstable due to a recession, lenders may be less willing to lend.

When to Consider Borrowing During a Recession

Of course, there are still situations where borrowing during a recession might make sense. If you’re hit with unexpected expenses or have the opportunity to buy quality stocks for a lower price, for instance, it could make sense to have extra funds available.

Another scenario where it might be a good idea is if you’re consolidating other debts with a consolidation loan.

If you already have debt, perhaps from credit cards or personal loans, you may be able to consolidate your debt into a new loan with a lower interest rate, thanks to the changes in the Fed’s interest rates. Consolidation is a type of borrowing that doesn’t necessarily increase the total amount of money you owe. Rather, it’s the process by which a borrower takes out a new loan — with hopefully better interest rates and repayment terms — in order to pay off the prior debts.

Why trade out one type of debt for another? Credit cards, for example, often have high interest rates. So if a borrower has multiple credit card debts with high interest rates, they may be able to refinance credit card debt with a consolidation loan with a lower interest rate. Trading in higher interest rates loans for a consolidation loan with potentially better terms could save borrowers money over the life of the loan. It also streamlines bill paying.
When considering consolidation, borrowers may want to focus on consolidating only high-interest loans or comparing the interest rates between their current debts and a potential consolidation loan.

Note that interest rates on consolidation loans can be either fixed or variable. A fixed rate means a borrower may be able to lock in a lower interest rate during a recession. With a variable interest rate, the loan’s interest rate could go up as rates rise following a recession.

Additionally, just like many other types of loans, consolidation loans require that borrowers meet certain requirements. Available interest rates may depend on factors like credit score, income, and creditworthiness.

Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan

The Takeaway

It can be challenging to navigate any economic downturn, and it’s natural to wonder how to prep for a recession. Deciding whether to borrow, including taking out a personal loan, is a decision that depends on your specific circumstances. There are downsides to consider, such as the general economic uncertainty that can increase risk and heightened risk-aversion from lenders. But if you have high-interest debt, or can secure a lower rate by consolidating, then taking out a consolidation loan during a recession could make sense. It’s a good idea to weigh the risks and benefits carefully and seek out professional advice before making a decision.

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

FAQ

Is it good to have money in the bank during a recession?

The general consensus is that banks are a safe place to keep your cash during a recession. If your account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), then individual deposits up to $250,000 are protected. Banks also protect funds against theft or loss.

Is it better to have cash in a recession?

It’s a good idea to have some of your money in cash during a recession. That’s because if you’re laid off from your job or an emergency arises, it can be helpful to have a cushion of readily accessible money.

Should I withdraw all my money during a recession?

If you’re thinking about how to prepare for the recession, it can be tempting to want to take out all of your money from a bank. But there’s good reason to reconsider. Many banks are FDIC insured, which means deposits up to $250,000 are protected.

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.

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There is no minimum credit score needed for a credit card. Even borrowers with poor credit (a score of 300 to 579) or no credit card at all can qualify for some credit cards. However, options for bad-credit borrowers are limited and usually come with a high annual percentage rate (APR) and fees. Borrowers with no credit or poor credit may also only qualify for secured credit cards.

By building your credit score, you’ll have more options for credit cards with better rates, fees, and even rewards, bonuses, and perks. Read on for details on this important financial topic.

How Your Credit Score Affects Your Odds of Credit Card Approval

A good or excellent credit score typically increases your odds of credit card approval. But if you have a bad credit score, you’re not out of luck. Some credit card issuers have options for borrowers with no credit history or extremely low credit scores.

Before applying for a credit card, it’s a good idea to read the fine print for that specific card. Often, credit card companies will list their minimum credit score requirements for the card. If you’re at the bottom of the stated range or below it, you may have a harder time qualifying.

To avoid getting declined (and having an unnecessary hard inquiry on your credit report), you may want to consider a less competitive credit card that you’re more likely to be approved for based on your credit score.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Credit Card?

While there is no minimum credit score to get a credit card, you’ll need a higher credit score to qualify for the best credit cards available. Typically, travel credit cards and cash-back credit cards are reserved for borrowers with good to excellent credit (690 and above on the FICO® scale).

If you have a fair credit score, you might be able to qualify for a decent credit card with a higher annual percentage rate (APR) and limited perks. Experts recommend having a credit score at least in the low 600s to apply for a standard credit card.

Borrowers with bad credit or no credit at all may be limited to secured credit cards (cards that require a security deposit as collateral), credit-building cards, or high-interest credit cards with high annual fees.

Recommended: How to Avoid Interest on a Credit Card

Tips for Estimating the Credit Score You Need

How can you determine a credit card’s credit score requirements? Here are a few ways to estimate the minimum score you’ll need:

•   Checking the website: Often, the credit card issuer will clearly state what credit score is required for each of its credit cards.

•   Reading reviews: If the issuer’s website isn’t clear, you may want to check third-party review websites, which often print the recommended credit scores needed for credit cards.

•   Using third-party services. Platforms like Credit Sesame and Credit Karma can help you gauge which credit cards you’ll qualify for with your current credit score — but it’s never guaranteed.

•   Getting preapproved. Many credit card issuers offer preapproval for their cards. This means they only initiate a soft pull on your credit report (with no effect on your credit score). A preapproval is not a guaranteed yes; you still have to go through the process, but it can instill more confidence if you’re worried about your chances.

Recommended: Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower Your Rating?

Factors Affecting Your Credit Score

Building your credit score is a great way to qualify for more (and better) credit cards. But knowing how to positively impact your credit score requires that you know what affects your credit score in the first place.

FICO and VantageScore both constantly monitor consumers’ credit and assign them different credit scores based on a consumer’s activity. While the models are similar, each company uses its own proprietary scoring method to calculate credit scores. Both scores range from 300 to 850.

FICO Scoring Method

Your FICO credit score depends on five key factors:

•   Payment history (35%): The largest factor impacting your credit score is your payment history. Making on-time payments not just for loans but for things like rent and utilities will build your score. Late payments can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.

•   Credit utilization (30%): How much of your available credit you are using is expressed as your credit utilization ratio. Using less of the credit available to you can positively impact your score, while using more can negatively impact your credit score. Ideally, your utilization rate will be 30% or lower.

•   Credit history (15%): The length of your credit history plays an important part in your credit score. Responsible credit users should see their scores increase over time, meaning the longer you keep accounts open, the more you can positively impact your three-digit credit score.

•   Credit mix (10%): Having a healthy mix of loan types (both installment credit and revolving credit) can build your score — if managed properly. That means a combination of mortgages, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, and credit cards can positively impact your credit score.

•   New credit applications (10%): When you apply for new credit, lenders will make a hard inquiry on your credit report. Even if you are denied the credit, this inquiry will temporarily lower your credit score, which is how applying for a credit card affects your credit score.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

VantageScore’s Scoring Method

VantageScore, on the other hand, assigns different factors a value of influence:

•   The most influential factor affecting your VantageScore is payment history, as it is with FICO.

•   Three highly influential factors include the age of credit, type of credit, and credit utilization.

•   A moderately influential factor is the total debt balance you maintain across all loans.

•   The least influential factor is your recent credit activity (opening new accounts, recent hard inquiries, etc.).

Recommended: Understanding the Different Types of Credit Cards

Tips for Building Your Credit Score

Wondering how to build your credit score to increase your chances of credit card approval? Here are some tips:

•  Understand your credit score: The first step to building your credit score is knowing how it’s calculated — and knowing what your current credit score is.

•  Make on-time bill payments: Paying bills on time is good for more than just avoiding late fees. It’s also the top factor in determining your FICO score and VantageScore.

•  Decrease your credit utilization: By reducing the amount of purchases on your credit cards — and paying them off in full every month — you’ll decrease your credit utilization, which can positively impact your credit score.

•  Become an authorized user: If you have no credit history or are repairing bad credit, you may benefit from becoming an authorized user on a friend or family member’s credit card. If they are responsible with the card, it’s an easy way for you to build your score without applying for your own card.

•  Keep old cards open: Once you qualify for better credit cards, you may be tempted to close out old accounts. But each of those cards has a credit limit. By keeping the card open but not using it, you decrease your overall credit utilization and keep the average age of your credit higher. The exception: If the card has an annual fee and you’re not using it at all, it may not be worth keeping it open.

•  Only apply for credit cards when you need them: Each time you apply for a credit card, the issuer makes a hard inquiry on your credit report, which lowers your score. Because of this, it’s a good idea to wait at least six months between credit card applications — and only apply when you need to. Choose your credit card applications wisely.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsiblya

Getting a Credit Card with Bad Credit

Bad credit doesn’t mean you can’t gett a credit card. In fact, you can find credit cards on the market designed specifically for people with bad credit. However, such cards typically have high fees and interest rates.

If you’re worried about high fees and rates, a secured credit card for bad credit may be the better option. Some secured credit cards even approve borrowers without conducting a credit check. The big difference between a secured vs. unsecured credit card is that secured credit cards require a security deposit, which acts as the card’s credit limit.

Alternatively, borrowers with bad credit may be able to qualify for a retail credit card. These cards can only be used at a specific store or chain of stores. While retail credit card credit score requirements vary, many are available to borrowers with limited or bad credit.

Recommended: What Is the Average Credit Card Limit?

Getting a Credit Card With Fair Credit

With a fair credit score (580 to 669 per FICO), you won’t qualify for the top rewards credit cards available. That being said, it’s still possible to get approved for an unsecured credit card with no annual fee and limited perks.

Interest rates tend to be higher for those within this credit score range, but if you can pay the card off in full every month, you won’t have to worry about racking up credit card debt. Eventually, you may even build your credit score enough to graduate to a rewards credit card with a better rate and terms.

Getting a Credit Card With No Credit

What if you have no credit history at all? Believe it or not, you can still qualify for a credit card with no credit history — though your options may be more limited.

Like borrowers with bad credit, you can likely qualify for no-frills secured credit cards if you can come up with the security deposit. Alternatively, borrowers without an established credit history can ask a close friend or family member to be added as an authorized user on their card. There are also credit cards designed for those who are currently enrolled in school and are just embarking on their credit journey.

The Takeaway

While there isn’t a minimum credit score for a credit card, having a good to excellent credit score improves your chances of approval for the top credit cards on the market (ones with robust rewards and lower interest rates). If you have a poor or fair credit score or no credit history at all, you may be able to qualify for secured credit cards or credit cards with higher APRs. By building your credit score, you may find you have more options.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Can you get a credit card with limited or no credit history?

Yes, you can get a credit card with limited or no credit history. Borrowers with no history can look for secured credit cards or consider becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit account. Without credit history, however, you likely will not qualify for low-APR credit cards or rewards credit cards.

Can I get a credit card with a score of 600?

Yes, with a credit score of 600 (in the fair credit range), you may qualify for basic credit cards that offer limited perks, if any. You likely will not be able to qualify for a rewards credit card. However, credit card issuers may at least approve you for an unsecured credit card, though likely with a higher APR.

What is the easiest card to get approved for?

If you have no credit history (or a limited credit history) or a bad credit score, the easiest card to get approved for is typically a secured credit card. Secured credit cards present lower risk to credit card issuers because borrowers must make a security deposit that serves as collateral and their credit limit.

Photo credit: iStock/Antonio_Diaz

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.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

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 .

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.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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Your credit card closing date marks the end of your billing cycle, which determines how much you’ll owe when your credit card payment comes due. Your credit card due date, on the other hand, is when you’ll need to make at least the minimum payment if you want to avoid a late fee.

By understanding the implications of both your credit card closing date and your credit card due date, you can better strategize to make purchases and also ensure you make on-time payments.

What Is a Credit Card Closing Date?

A credit card closing date determines your credit card “billing cycle,” which spans an interval of about 28 to 31 days. This day might vary each month, but according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), it can’t vary by more than four days.

The bank uses your credit card’s statement closing date to determine which purchases are calculated toward the current statement’s total balance and the minimum credit card payment that’s due. Any purchases made after your credit card closing date are applied to the next month’s billing statement.

The closing date for a credit card is also the date the bank uses to calculate your credit card’s finance charges, which are also called the interest charges. Typically, credit card issuers offer a grace period on new purchases starting on the date after the closing date until your credit card payment due date. During this time, interest charges aren’t incurred yet.

Although many credit card companies offer a grace period, it’s not a requirement, so check the terms of your credit card closely.

Recommended: What Is a Charge Card?

What Is a Credit Card Due Date?

Another critical date to remember when it comes to your credit card account is your credit card due date. Payments received by the bank by 5 p.m. on the credit card payment deadline are considered on-time; after this period, your credit card payment is considered past due. (Keep in mind that the time zone in which your bank is located may vary from yours. You might want to check that when trying to pay right before the deadline.)

Your credit card due date is the same for each billing statement. For example, if this month’s credit card bill is due on June 15, your next billing statement will be due on July 15. This due date applies regardless of whether you’re making a full payment for your statement balance or the minimum amount due.

Although you should always aim to make your credit card payment on time, card issuers generally don’t report late payments to credit bureaus until 30 to 60 days after your credit card due date. Late fees might be applied to your credit card account if you don’t make a payment by the credit card payment due date, however, given how credit cards work.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

Differences Between a Credit Card Closing Date vs Due Date

Here’s a look at some of the key distinctions between credit card payment due date vs. closing date to keep in mind:

How Your Credit Card Closing Date Affects Your Credit Score

On your credit card statement closing date, your card issuer typically reports your account activity, including your card’s outstanding balance, to the three credit bureaus — Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion®. This information impacts your credit utilization ratio, which is the ratio of credit in use compared to the amount of credit you can access.

As an example, say your closing date is May 20, and you made a $2,000 purchase on your credit card on May 15. That purchase will be reported and can increase your credit utilization ratio. A high credit utilization ratio can adversely affect your credit score.

If the purchase isn’t urgent, perhaps you might wait until May 21 to put the charge on your credit card. In this scenario, your $2,000 credit card purchase wouldn’t be reported to the credit bureaus until the end of your next billing cycle. And if you pay it off before then, it might not affect your credit utilization ratio.

Determining Your Next Credit Card Statement Closing Date

Knowing how to decipher your credit card bill each month can help you to uncover your statement closing date. Typically, you’ll find your billing cycle dates at the top of your credit card bill. This might be called your “opening/closing dates,” and it typically will be displayed as a date range.

When reading your credit card statement, you can find these dates and then count the number of days between the dates. Then, count forward from the credit card closing date to determine your next credit card statement closing date.

Guide to Changing Your Credit Card Due Date

You might find that changing your credit card due date can help you better manage your credit card payments. This might come up if you get paid on a certain date each month and want your due date to fall closer to payday.

Generally, card issuers are willing to work with you on a due date that will help you make regular, on-time payments. However, credit issuers have different restrictions, so talk to your credit card issuer to see whether it’s flexible.

To change your credit card due date, you can either:

1.    Call the phone number at the back of your credit card to speak to a customer service associate who can help.

2.    Log in to your credit card’s online account and make the change (if available) yourself.

Be aware that it can take one to two billing cycles to see the change on your account.

What You Should Know About Determining Your Time to Pay

Your credit card closing date and payment due date can help you strategically decide when it’s time to pay your credit card bill. For example, if you need to keep your credit utilization low to improve your credit to secure a mortgage loan approval, then paying your credit card bill before your closing date can help.

However, if you simply want to avoid interest charges and late fees on your purchases, making a payment by your credit card due date is sufficient. Still, make sure to stay mindful of the potential to fall into credit card debt, which can be hard to shake (here’s what happens to credit card debt when you die).

The Takeaway

Your payment due date vs. closing date are two very important dates that relate to your credit card account. The closing date indicates the end of the monthly billing cycle, and the payment due date tells you when at least the minimum payment must be paid to avoid a late fee. Being aware of both dates can help you make purchases strategically and ensure you make payments on time.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Should I pay off my credit card before the closing date?

Paying off your credit card as early as possible is always ideal. Doing so can help you maintain a low credit utilization ratio, which is beneficial to your credit score.

Can I make more than one payment per statement period on my credit card?

Yes, you’re allowed to make more than one payment per statement period to pay off your statement balance. In fact, doing so can help you potentially avoid incurring interest charges and rolling a balance into your next billing cycle.

Can I use my credit card between the due date and the closing date?

Yes, you can use your credit card between the due date and the credit card statement closing date. Purchases made after your credit card due date are simply included in the next billing statement.

Is the credit card closing date the same every month?

Not always. Your credit card closing date might be the same date each month, but billing cycles can vary up to four days from the typical closing date.

Photo credit: iStock/Seiya Tabuchi

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.

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Student loan borrowers with a good credit score generally have a better chance of qualifying for student loan refinancing. FICO®, the credit scoring model, considers a score of 670 to 739 to be good. Yet according to the most recent report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the average credit score of student loan borrowers was 656, which falls short.

The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to be approved for refinancing, and also to get a lower interest rate and favorable loan terms. Here’s what you need to know about your credit score and student loan refinancing.

Understanding the Credit Score Requirement

Your credit score is important because it gives lenders a synopsis of your borrowing and repayment habits. It’s based on information from your credit report, which is a highly detailed record of activity on all of your credit accounts. A credit score tells lenders how well you’ve managed your credit and repayments thus far.

With student loan refinancing, many lenders are looking for a good credit score. That’s because a higher score generally indicates that you’re likely to repay your debts on time. FICO calls a credit score of 670 to 739 a good score, while VantageScore®, another commonly used credit scoring model, designates a good credit range as 661 to 780.

Some lenders have more flexible credit score requirements than others, and they may set what’s called a minimum credit score requirement. This is the lowest eligible credit score for which they’re willing to approve a borrower for student loan refinancing.
However, higher is usually better when it comes to a credit score for refinancing, regardless of the scoring model that’s used. If your credit score exceeds the good range, and is considered “very good” or “excellent,” you may be more likely to qualify for student loan refinancing. This also improves your chances of getting a lower interest rate and favorable terms, which are important when you’re refinancing student loans to save money.

Recommended: Guide to Refinancing Private Student Loans

Additional Requirements for Refinancing

In addition to your credit score for a student loan, lenders have other requirements you’ll need to meet, whether you’re refinancing private student loans or federal loans. These eligibility requirements include:

Income

Lenders look for borrowers with a stable income. This indicates that you consistently have enough money coming in to pay your bills. You will likely have to provide lenders with proof of your employment and income, such as pay stubs.

If you’re a contract worker or freelancer whose income is more sporadic, you may need to show a lender your tax returns or bank account statements to show that you have enough funds in your bank account.
Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a percentage that shows how much of your income is going to bills and other debts versus how much income is coming in each month. The lower your DTI, the better, because it indicates that you have enough money to pay your debts, making you less of a risk to lenders.

To calculate your DTI, add together your monthly debts and divide that number by your gross monthly income (your income before taxes). Multiply the resulting figure by 100 to get a percentage, and that’s your DTI.

Aim to get your DTI to below 50%, and pay off as much debt as you can before you apply for student loan refinancing.

Credit History

In addition to your credit score, lenders will also look at your credit history, which is the age of your credit accounts. Having some active older credit accounts shows that you have a solid pattern of borrowing money and repaying it on time.

Minimum Refinancing Amount

Lenders typically have minimum refinancing amounts. This is the outstanding balance on your loans that you want to refinance. For some lenders, the minimum refinancing amount is between $5,000 and $10,000. For others, it may be higher or lower. Lenders set minimums to ensure that they will earn enough interest on the loan.

Recommended: Student Loan Refinancing Calculator

Strengthen Your Credit Score for Refinancing

If your credit score isn’t high enough to meet a lender’s minimum score requirement, you can work on strengthening your score and apply for refinancing at a later date. The following strategies may help you build credit over time.

Make Timely Payments

Making full, on-time payments on your existing credit accounts is the most impactful way to improve your credit. This factor accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score calculation and is at the forefront of what lenders look at when evaluating your eligibility.

Lower Your Credit Utilization Ratio

This is the ratio of how much outstanding debt you owe, compared to your available credit. Credit utilization ratio accounts for 30% of your FICO score. Keeping your credit utilization low can be an indicator that, while you have access to credit, you’re not overspending.

Maintain Your Credit History

A factor that’s moderately important when it comes to your FICO score calculation is the age of your active accounts. Keeping older accounts active and in good standing shows that you’re a steady borrower who makes their payments.

Keep a Balanced Credit Mix

As you’re establishing credit, having revolving accounts such as credit cards, as well as installment credit like student loans or a car loan, shows you can handle different types of credit. This factor affects 10% of your credit score calculation.

Alternatives to Refinancing

If your credit isn’t strong enough for you to qualify for student loan refinancing, you have a few other options to help you manage your student loan payments. Some ideas to explore include:

•  Loan forgiveness programs. There are federal and state student loan forgiveness programs. For instance, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is for borrowers who work in public service for a qualifying employer such as a not-for-profit organization or the government. For those who are eligible, PSLF forgives the remaining balance on Direct loans after 120 qualifying payments are made under an IDR plan or the standard 10-year repayment plan.

  Individual states may offer their own forgiveness programs. Check with your state to find out what’s available where you live.

•  Income-driven repayment plans. You may be able to reduce your federal loan monthly payment with an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, which bases your monthly student loan payments on your income and family size. Your monthly payments are typically a percentage of your discretionary income, which usually means you’ll have lower payments. At the end of the repayment period, which is 20 or 25 years, depending on the IDR plan, your remaining loan balance is forgiven.

•  Consolidation vs. refinancing: Which is right for you? Whether consolidation or refinancing is right for you depends on the type of student loans you have. If you have federal student loans, a federal Direct Consolidation loan loan allows you to combine all your loans into one new loan, which can lower your monthly payments by lengthening your loan term. The interest rate on the loan will not be lower — it will be a weighted average of the combined interest rates of all of your consolidated loans. Consolidation can simplify and streamline your loan payments, and your loans remain federal loans with access to federal benefits and protections. However, a longer loan term means you’ll pay more in interest over the life of the loan.

  If you have private student loans, or a combination of federal and private loans, student loan refinancing lets you combine them into one private loan with a new interest rate and loan terms. Ideally, depending on your financial situation, you might be able to secure a new loan with a lower rate and more favorable terms. If you’re looking for smaller monthly payments, you may be able to get a longer loan term. However, this means that you will likely pay more in interest overall since you are extending the life of the loan. On the other hand, if your goal is to refinance student loans to save money, you might be able to get a shorter term and pay off the loan faster, helping to save on interest payments.

Just be aware that if you refinance federal loans, they will no longer be eligible for federal benefits like federal forgiveness programs.

Understanding the Impact of Refinancing on Your Credit Score

Just as your credit score affects whether you qualify for refinancing, refinancing has an impact on your credit score.
When you fill out an application for refinancing, lenders do what’s called a hard credit check that usually affects your credit score temporarily. The impact is likely to be about five points of reduction to your score, which lasts up to 12 months, according to the credit bureau Experian.

After refinancing is complete, however, as long as you make on-time payments every month, your credit score might go up. Conversely, if you miss payments, or if you’re late with them, your score could be negatively affected.

It’s wise to keep your credit score as strong as possible before, during, and after refinancing. And watch out for common misconceptions about credit scores and student loan refinancing.

For instance, be sure to shop around for the best loan rates and terms. Checking to see what rate you can get on a student loan refinance, unlike filling out a formal loan application, typically involves a soft credit pull that won’t affect your credit score.

Also, if you choose to fill out refinancing applications with more than one lender, some credit scoring models may count those multiple applications as just one, as long as you apply during a short window of time, such as 14 to 45 days, which can lessen the impact to your credit.

Finally, keep paying off your existing student loans during the refinancing process. If you stop repaying them before refinancing is complete, your credit score may be negatively affected.

Making Informed Decisions About Student Loan Refinancing

As you’re considering refinancing, weigh the pros and cons of refinancing your student loans. Advantages of student loan refinancing include possibly getting a lower interest rate on your loan, adjusting the length of your payment term, and streamlining multiple loans and payments into one loan that’s easier to manage.

But remember: If you’re refinancing federal student loans, you will lose access to federal protections and programs like income-driven repayment plans. And refinancing may be difficult to qualify for on your own if you don’t have a good credit score and solid credit history, so you may need a student loan cosigner. Make the decision that’s best for your financial circumstances.

If you decide to move ahead with refinancing, be sure that your credit score is as strong as it can be. Then, shop around to compare lenders and find the best rates and terms. Once you’ve chosen a lender or two, submit an application. You’ll need to provide documentation of your income and employment, so be sure to have that paperwork on hand.

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.

FAQS

Can I refinance with a 580 credit score?

You may be able to refinance student loans with a credit score of 580, depending on the requirements of the lender. While most lenders look for borrowers with a good credit score, which FICO® defines as 670 to 739, some lenders set a minimum credit score as low as 580. If you meet other eligibility requirements, such as having a steady income and a low debt-to-income ratio, a lender may consider you with a 580 credit score.

What is the minimum credit score for a refinance?

Each lender has its own specific requirements, including the credit score needed to refinance. While most lenders look for applicants with a good score, which starts at 670, according to FICO, some lenders set a minimum credit score, which may be as low as 580. Check with different lenders to see what their requirements are.

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

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.