Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Earnest Loans 2025 Review: Student Loans and Student Loan Refinance Updated Dec 09, 2025 11-min read Reviewed by Kristen Barrett, MAT Reviewed by Kristen Barrett, MAT Expertise: Student loans, mortgages, personal loans, home equity, investing Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015. Learn more about Kristen Barrett, MAT Our take: Earnest stands out in the student loan market by offering flexible repayment terms, no origination, late payment, or prepayment fees, large loan amounts, skip-a-payment features, and extended grace periods (longer than industry standard). See our full, in-depth student loan review and student loan refinance review below. Best for Large Loans 4.7 /5 View Rates Private Student Loans Loans for undergraduates, graduates, parents, and more Choose an in-school repayment plan or defer payments No fees, including late payment or origination fees ⓘ 9-month grace period is longer than other lenders ⓘ Skip one payment per year without penalty Check your eligibility in minutes without impacting your credit score Doesn’t allow for cosigners to be released Must be enrolled at least half-time Not available in Nevada Fixed Rates (APR)4.13% – 17.99% ⓘVariable Rates (APR)4.13% – 17.99% ⓘLoan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years Student Loan RefinanceView Rates Consolidate federal and private student loans Choose between biweekly and monthly payments Adjust your payment date if needed Make extra or early payments with no fees Skip one payment per year without penalty Cosigners must reside in the same state as the borrower Not available in Nevada Rates (APR)5.19% – 9.74% ⓘLoan amounts$5,000 – $550,000Repayment terms5 – 20 yearsMin. credit score665 Table of Contents Student loans Rates and terms Loan types Eligibility Repayment How to apply Alternatives Student loan refinance Rates and terms Features Eligibility Repayment How to apply Alternatives Earnest pros and cons Earnest customer reviews and reputation How to contact Earnest Final verdict: Is Earnest right for you? Student loans Best for Large Loans 4.7 /5 View Rates Private Student Loans Loans for undergraduates, graduates, parents, and more Choose an in-school repayment plan or defer payments No fees, including late payment or origination fees 9-month grace period is longer than other lenders Skip one payment per year without penalty Check your eligibility in minutes without impacting your credit score Doesn’t allow for cosigners to be released Must be enrolled at least half-time Not available in Nevada Fixed Rates (APR)4.13% – 17.99% ⓘVariable Rates (APR)4.13% – 17.99% ⓘLoan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years Rates and terms TermDetailsFixed rates (APR)3.47% – 16.49% ⓘVariable rates (APR)4.99% – 16.85% ⓘRate discounts0.25% autopayLoan amounts$1,000 – 100% of certified costsRepayment terms5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 yearsGrace period9 monthsCosigner releaseNoneFeesNone Earnest’s nine-month grace period is longer than the six-month standard, giving recent graduates extra time before repayment. However, Earnest doesn’t offer a cosigner release option, which could be limiting for borrowers seeking to eventually take full responsibility for the loan. Loan types Loan typeRates (APR) ⓘUndergraduate4.11% – 16.20% Graduate4.11% – 16.20% Parent4.11% – 16.20% Eligibility RequirementDetailsCitizenshipU.S. citizen or permanent residentEnrollmentAt least half-time in a Title IV accredited schoolCredit scoreMinimum of 650 for private loans; 665 for refinancingIncomeNo minimum income but must be employed or have consistent income.State availabilityNot available in Nevada Repayment Deferred: No payments while in school. Interest-only: Pay only the interest while in school. Fixed $25 payments: Make fixed payments of $25 per month while in school. Full payments: Start full principal and interest payments immediately. How to apply Prequalification: Check your eligibility with a soft credit inquiry. Application: Complete the online application with necessary documents. Selection: Choose your loan terms and repayment plan. Certification: Earnest verifies your enrollment and certifies the loan amount with your school. Disbursement: Funds are sent directly to your school. Read More: How to Get a Student Loan Alternatives If you’re looking for alternatives—a company that offers cosigner release or one available in Nevada—check out our highest-rated student loan lenders. Sallie Mae offers cosigner release after just 12 months, and College Ave, Sallie Mae, and SoFi® are available in all 50 states. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 4.7 View Rates Best for Large Loans 4.7 View Rates 5.0 View Rates Best Overall 5.0 View Rates 4.8 View Rates Best for Cosigners 4.8 View Rates 4.7 View Rates Best for Member Benefits 4.7 View Rates Read more: Earnest vs. Sallie Mae Student loan refinance Best Skip-a-Payment Benefit 4.6 /5 View Rates Student Loan Refinance Consolidate federal and private student loans Choose between biweekly and monthly payments Adjust your payment date if needed Make extra or early payments with no fees Skip one payment per year without penalty Cosigners must reside in the same state as the borrower Not available in Nevada Rates (APR) ⓘ5.19% – 9.74%Loan amounts$5,000 – $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 yearsMin. credit score665 Rates and terms FeatureDetailsFixed rates (APR)3.99% – 9.74% ⓘVariable rates (APR)5.74% – 9.74% ⓘRate discounts0.25% autopayLoan amounts$5,000 – $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 yearsCosigner releaseNoneFeesNone Variable rates are unavailable in Alaska, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Features Consolidate loans: Combine federal and private loans into one. Flexible payments: Choose between biweekly and monthly payments. Adjust payment dates: Change your payment date as needed. No fees: No prepayment penalties or fees. Eligibility Here are Earnest’s eligibility criteria for refinancing: RequirementDetailsCitizenshipU.S. citizen or permanent residentGraduation statusEnrolled less than half-time, in your last semester, or have graduatedCredit score665 for refinancingIncomeMinimum annual income of $35,000State availabilityNot available in Nevada Repayment Earnest stands out to us as a flexible lender for two reasons: Skip a payment: Earnest allows eligible borrowers to skip one payment per year without penalty. This is processed as a one-month forbearance and counts against the total 12-month forbearance allowance over the life of the loan. Grace period: Earnest offers a 9-month grace period, giving borrowers extra time to secure employment before starting repayments. How to apply Prequalification: Check your eligibility with a soft credit inquiry. Application: Complete the online application with necessary documents. Selection: Choose your loan terms and repayment plan. Disbursement: Upon approval, funds are sent directly to your current lender to pay off your debt in full. Your loan amount will then be available to repay via Earnest. Here’s what to consider before you decide to take out a student loan with Earnest. Read More: How to Refinance Student Loans Alternatives We’re fans of Earnest’s refinance program, but here’s how it stacks up against three other excellent refinance lenders. Take a look at Credible if you’re not sure Earnest is right for you: You can see your prequalified rates with several lenders at once without any effect on your credit. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 4.6 View Rates Best Skip-a-Payment Benefit 4.6 View Rates 5.0 View Rates Best for Comparison Shopping 5.0 View Rates 4.9 View Rates Best Online Lender 4.9 View Rates 4.5 View Rates Powered by Credible Best Personalized Support 4.5 View Rates Powered by Credible Earnest pros and cons Pros No fees for application, origination, or late payments Flexible repayment options Ability to skip one payment per year Extended 9-month grace period Competitive interest rates Cons No cosigner release option Not available in Nevada Higher credit score requirements than several competitors Earnest customer reviews and reputation Earnest earns high praise on Trustpilot for its transparent terms and user-friendly digital experience. SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviewsTrustpilot4.6/56,995BBB1.22/59 Collected on April 23, 2025. While Trustpilot reviews suggest most borrowers are satisfied, it’s important to understand that negative BBB and Google reviews typically come from more complex customer service interactions. Earnest handles all servicing in-house, which can lead to a smoother experience for most borrowers. How to contact Earnest Earnest provides dedicated customer service to its borrowers, handling all aspects of loan servicing in-house, including repayment management and communication. When you need help, you’ll deal with Earnest’s team rather than being passed to a third-party loan servicer. Affectionately referred to as the “Client Happiness” team, Earnest’s customer service department is committed to answering all your questions and assisting you during office hours. The team can help with various inquiries, from general to account-specific. Here’s how you can reach Earnest’s customer service: Email: [email protected]. Phone: Call 888-601-2801 between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday to Friday. Chat: Click the chat icon in the bottom right corner to access Earnest’s virtual assistant anytime. If it can’t assist you, a team member will chat with you during regular office hours. Mailing address: For written correspondence (not payments), you can write to: P.O. Box 9250, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-9250. Final verdict: Is Earnest right for you? Earnest is one of the best choices for borrowers who want large loan amounts, no fees, and maximum repayment flexibility. It’s especially strong for: Students who want to customize their loan term down to the month Borrowers looking to skip a payment once a year without penalties Graduates who need a longer grace period before repayment starts However, if you want a cosigner release or live in Nevada, you may need to look elsewhere. And if your credit profile or income is below Earnest’s thresholds, you may need a more flexible lender. Still, for qualified borrowers, Earnest offers a rare mix of affordability, ease, and control—making it a top-tier pick for both student loans and refinancing. How we rated Earnest student loans and refinancing We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best student loans and student loan refinancing. Our system awards higher ratings to companies with affordable solutions, positive customer reviews, and online transparency of benefits and terms. We compared Earnest to several student loan and refinancing lenders, using hundreds of data points from company websites, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives. We weighted, scored, and combined each factor to produce a final editorial rating. This rating is expressed on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Our take is represented in our rating and best-for designation, recapped below. Company Best for… Rating (0-5) 4.7 View Rates Best for Large Student Loans 4.7 View Rates 4.6 View Rates Best Skip-a-Payment Benefit for Refinanced Student Loans 4.6 View Rates Disclosures 1 Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107. 2 Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770) One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved. 3 Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved. 4 Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 3.04% to 16.74% (2.79% – 16.49% with auto pay discount). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 5.24% to 17.10% (4.99% – 16.85% with auto pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and require selection of our shortest term offered, full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. Enrolling in autopay is not required as a condition for approval. 5 Earnest does not charge fees for late payment, prepayment, or loan origination. However, late payments may still be reported to credit bureaus and may affect your credit score. 6 Earnest clients may skip a payment through a one, one-month forbearance during a 12 month period. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time full principal and interest payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Any unpaid accrued interest may capitalize (added to the principal balance) at the end of the forbearance period by adding unpaid accrued interest to the outstanding principal as permitted by law and the terms of the loan agreement. Interest will not be capitalized on loans originated to Michigan residents under the Regulatory Loan Act of 1963. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count toward the forbearance limits. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term. 7 Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school. 8 Please note that you will lose benefits associated with your underlying federal loans, such as federal Income-driven Repayment Plans, Economic Hardship Deferment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or other deferment and forbearance options, if you refinance into a private loan. If you file for bankruptcy, you may still be required to pay back this loan. 9 Student loan refinance disclosure: Earnest Loans are made by Earnest Operations LLC. Earnest Operations LLC, NMLS #1204917. 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. California Financing Law License 6054788. Visit www.earnest.com/licenses for a full list of licensed states. For California residents: Loans will be arranged or made pursuant to a California Financing Law License. About our contributors Written by Kristen Barrett, MAT Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.