Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Citizens Bank Student Loans Review: Rates, Refinance, and Features Explained Updated May 23, 2025 6-min read Reviewed by Kristen Barrett, MAT Reviewed by Kristen Barrett, MAT Expertise: Writing, content design, proofreading, grammar, vocabulary Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has edited and written personal finance content since 2015. Learn more about Kristen Barrett, MAT Private Student LoansView Rates Student loans for undergraduates, graduates, and parents 0.25% rate discount for current Citizens Bank account holders Multiyear approval could lead to easier access to loans for future years Doesn’t let you prequalify with a soft credit check Must be enrolled at least half-time Rates (APR)5.99% – 15.03%Loan amounts$1,000 – $150,000Repayment terms5, 10, or 15 years Refinance Student LoansView Rates* Refinance options for students, medical residents, and parents Refinance without a degree 0.25% rate discount for current Citizens Bank account holders Consolidate federal and private student loans Check your rate without affecting your credit score Cosigners can’t be released until 36 on-time payments are made Interest rates tend to be a bit higher than other lenders Rates (APR)6.49% – 12.41%Loan amounts$10,000 – $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 years*Powered by Credible Is Citizens Bank a good student loan lender? Here’s what to know. Citizens Bank offers private student loans and refinancing options for students, parents, and medical residents. Its competitive rates and multiyear approval make it worth a look, especially if you already bank with Citizens and qualify for loyalty discounts. However, while Citizens is strong on rates and flexibility, it doesn’t offer repayment assistance or support students at community colleges or part-time programs. In this review, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from loan types and rates to how Citizens compares with other lenders. Table of Contents Overview: Citizens Bank student loans at a glance Citizens Bank undergraduate student loans Citizens Bank graduate and professional loans Citizens Bank parent loans Citizens Bank student loan refinance Citizens Bank medical resident refinance Citizens Bank refinance for parents How Citizens compares to other lenders FAQ Overview: Citizens Bank student loans at a glance Citizens Bank offers a wide range of private student loans and refinance options tailored to undergraduates, graduates, medical professionals, and parents. Known for its multiyear approval feature and discounts, it may appeal to financially stable borrowers looking for long-term flexibility. Citizens does not offer federal student loans. Citizens Bank undergraduate student loans Undergraduate loans from Citizens Bank come with competitive rates and three repayment plans: immediate, interest-only, and deferred. Cosigners are recommended for most applicants. Borrowers can qualify for up to $150,000 in funding and may benefit from the multiyear approval feature, which simplifies borrowing for future academic years. FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)4.43% – 11.94%Variable rates (APR)6.03% – 13.25%Rate discountsLoyalty discount of 0.25%; 0.25% autopay discountLoan amounts$1,000 – $150,000In-school repayment plansImmediate, interest-only, or deferredRepayment terms5 – 20 yearsGrace period6 monthsCosigner releaseYes, after 36 consecutive on-time paymentsFeesNo application, origination, disbursement, or early repayment feesUnique featuresMultiyear approval; Citizens Scholarship (no-essay application that could result in up to $15,000 toward tuition) Citizens Bank graduate and professional loans FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)4.99% – 10.74%Variable rates (APR)6.53% – 12.19% Graduate loans are available for general grad school, law, MBA, medical, and dental students. Citizens offers tailored maximum loan amounts and the same multiyear approval and rate discount options. Interest-only or deferred payment options are available in-school, with repayment terms ranging from five to 20 years. Degree programFixed rates (APR)Variable rates (APR)Max loan amt.MBA4.99% – 9.74%6.53% – 11.46%$225KLaw4.99% – 9.74%6.53% – 11.46% $225KMedical and dental school4.99% – 9.40%6.53% – 11.06%$180K or $350K (based on degree) Note: The lifetime aggregate limit includes federal and private loan debt. Citizens Bank parent loans Parents can borrow on behalf of their child and benefit from the same rate discounts. Repayment terms range from 5 to 20 years, with no grace period. In-school repayment options include interest-only and full principal plus interest. FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)6.50% – 11.01%Variable rates (APR)7.16% – 12.67% Citizens Bank student loan refinance Citizens allows borrowers to refinance both private and federal loans. You must have at least $10,000 in student loans, and cosigners can be released after 36 on-time payments. Refinance terms range from five to 20 years. Rates are competitive, though not the lowest in the industry. FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)5.40% – 10.65%Variable rates (APR)6.67% – 12.02%Loan amounts$10,000 – $300,000 (Bachelor’s degree or below); $10,000 – $500,000 (Graduate degree)Repayment terms5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 yearsCosigner releaseYes, after 36 consecutive on-time paymentsFeesNo application, origination, or disbursement feesUnique featuresNo degree requirement for refinancing; Offers refinancing options for loans in the student’s name and loans in the parent’s name Citizens Bank medical resident refinance Medical professionals in residency or fellowship can refinance and make $100 monthly payments for up to seven years. The interest rate is based on future earning potential rather than current income, which may improve approval odds or reduce rates. FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)5.40% – 10.65%Variable rates (APR)6.67% – 12.02%Loan amounts$10,000 – $750,000Repayment assistanceFixed $100 monthly payments throughout medical residency or fellowshipUnique featuresThe loan’s interest rate is based on the borrower’s future expected earnings; Affordable fixed payment of $100 per month throughout medical residency or fellowship Citizens Bank refinance for parents Parents with Parent PLUS or private loans can refinance into one loan. Citizens allows up to $500,000 in refinanced debt with fixed or variable rates, plus access to rate discounts. FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)5.40% – 10.65%Variable rates (APR)6.67% – 12.02%Loan amounts$10,000 – $500,000 Who’s eligible for a Citizens Bank loan? Borrowers must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or resident aliens with a valid Social Security number. Undergraduate and graduate loans require enrollment at least half-time in a four-year Title IV institution. RequirementDetailsCitizenshipU.S. citizen, permanent resident, or resident alien with a valid U.S. Social Security numberState of residenceAll 50 states and Wsahington, D.C.Minimum ageBorrower or cosigner must be the age of majority in their state of residence (18 in most states)Enrolled school4-year Title IV public or private institutionsEnrollment statusMust be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institutionMinimum incomeGross annual income of $12,000 (borrower and cosigner combined) How repayment works Repayment options include immediate, interest-only, or deferred during school. Terms range from 5 to 20 years, depending on loan type. Cosigners can be released after 36 consecutive on-time payments. Citizens does not advertise repayment assistance programs but partners with Firstmark Services for servicing. Pros and cons Pros Competitive rates Loyalty and autopay discounts Multiyear approval available Cosigner release after 36 payments Refinance available for borrowers without degrees Cons No federal loans No repayment assistance disclosed Only 4-year schools are eligible Cosigner release takes longer than some competitors How Citizens compares to other lenders Citizens’ multiyear approval stands out when compared to other student loan companies, as well as the option to refinance even if you haven’t earned a degree. However, if you’re attending school less than half-time, College Ave doesn’t have a minimum enrollment requirement. Earnest allows for more repayment customization, and SoFi offers generous member benefits. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 4.7 View Rates Best for multiyear approval 4.7 View Rates 5.0 View Rates Best overall private student loan 5.0 View Rates 4.9 View Rates Best online refinance lender 4.9 View Rates 4.7 View Rates Best skip-a-payment benefit 4.7 View Rates Read more: Best Private Student Loans, Best Student Loan Refinance Companies Customer reviews Citizens Bank is BBB-accredited but has poor customer reviews. Here are its ratings as of May 2025: SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviewsBetter Business Bureau1.08/5199Trustpilot1.2/5663Google1.4/595Collected on May 22, 2025. Common complaints center on non-student-loan services (e.g., fraud claims, checking fees), but response to student loan inquiries is generally handled through Firstmark Services. How to apply Get a soft credit check and rate quote online Complete the full application Submit documents and add a cosigner if needed Review loan terms and accept the offer Citizens sends funds to your school (or pays off your old loans, if refinancing) FAQ Is Citizens Bank good for student loans? Yes, if you have strong credit or a qualified cosigner. Its multiyear approval and rate discounts are standouts. But weaker-credit borrowers may struggle. Who services Citizens Bank loans? Firstmark Services handles servicing for Citizens Bank student loans and refinanced loans. Does Citizens Bank offer hardship assistance? Citizens doesn’t advertise deferment or forbearance. Contact support to discuss options.