NaviRefi Student Loan Refinancing Review
NaviRefi is an invite-only student loan refinance product for those looking to save on their debt. If you didn't get an invite to the party, there are many alternatives to consider.
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What we like:
Loans originated by Earnest
| Fixed APR | Not disclosed |
| Variable APR | Not disclosed |
| Loan Terms | 5 – 20 years |
| Loan Amounts | $5,001 to $250,000 |
Navient, one of the four largest student loan servicers in the United States, has branched out into student loan refinancing. In 2017, Navient acquired financial technology and education finance company Earnest, resulting in NaviRefi Loans, which are offered by Earnest Operations and serviced by Navient Solutions.
NaviRefi says it offers competitive interest rates according to a borrower’s credit and finances. Read on to find out if NaviRefi student loan refinancing is the right fit for your needs.
In this review:
- Getting a Loan Through NaviRefi
- Rates, Terms, Loan Amounts
- Benefits of NaviRefi
- Downsides of NaviRefi
- Alternatives to NaviRefi
Getting a Loan Through NaviRefi
You’ll Need an Invitation Code
You’ll need an invitation code to start the NaviRefi application. This caveat makes the service a bit more exclusive—even before your credit history comes into play.
Further, refinancing is only available to current Navient customers. If you are a current customer but aren’t the proud holder of an invitation, you can call them to inquire about eligibility.
If you aren’t a Navient customer or haven’t received an invitation, you can check out our Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders page to compare other options.
State Eligibility
Assuming you have been invited, applicants are only eligible for NaviRefi loans if they are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and of the age of majority in your state (typically 18). However, if you live in any of the states that are not currently serviced by NaviRefi (AL, CA, DE, FL, IN, KY, MD, ME, NV, RI, and WA — a fairly large list), you will be ineligible for their refinancing program.
Employment & Graduation Requirements
Further, only applicants who are currently employed (or have proof of income from other sources) and those who have graduated from a nonprofit college or graduate program eligible for Title IV federal aid will be considered.
The Basics: Rates, Terms, Loan Amounts
Rates are based on many factors, including your income, debt-to-income ratio, and of course, your credit score which must be at or above 640.
Borrowers must have at least $5,001 in qualified student loans, but NaviRefi will not service any amount over $250,000.
Those approved for a NaviRefi loan will have the opportunity to select a repayment term of 5 to 20 years.
What are the Benefits of NaviRefi?
Easy Application Process: The application process is quick, and you can get a rate quote in a few minutes. Once approved, borrowers can combine multiple educational loans, including federal loans, which can lead to a simplified repayment plan with better rates and lower payments.
Relatively Low Rates: NaviRefi’s rates are relatively low compared to other refinance lenders — and you can potentially qualify for a rate that is lower than what is currently on federal student loans.
Autopay Discount: You can qualify for an interest rate discount of 0.25% by enrolling in autopay. In addition, if you do this, you won’t have to manually submit payments each month.
What are the Downsides of NaviRefi?
Lose Federal Benefits & Protections: It’s worth noting that refinancing federal loans with a private lender (including Navient) will remove any federal protections and benefits including access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness.
Must Be Invited to Apply: As of right now, NaviRefi student loan refinancing is only extended to customers of Navient, and loans are by invitation only. Paired with a fairly large list of states not currently eligible for the program, refinancing through this lender may be more difficult than doing so with competing refinance lenders.
Hard Credit Inquiry: Be aware that when you apply for student loan refinancing, NaviRefi will conduct a hard inquiry into your credit report. This is normal when applying for loans or loan refinancing, but too many inquiries can hurt your credit score, so don’t apply until you’re sure you want to refinance with this company.
Few Customer Reviews Available: NaviRefi is fairly new, so there isn’t a lot of feedback available from those who have direct experience with the refinancing service. That said, Navient, the servicer for NaviRefi Loans, has had its share of bad publicity, with numerous borrower complaints and a handful of lawsuits. Of course, those complaints may not have any impact on your Navient or potential NaviRefi loan, but it’s something to keep in mind as you shop for a refinance lender.
Alternatives to NaviRefi
If you weren’t invited to NaviRefi or if you want to do your homework on other lenders, you can check out our choices for the best student loan refinance lenders or check out some options below.
Alternative lenders that don’t require an invite
>> Read More: Student loan companies
Is NaviRefi Right for You?
If you’ve received an invitation and your rates are more competitive than other lenders, then it might be a good fit for you. Though eligibility is fairly limited compared to other lenders, with Navient leading the process and joining other competitive student loan refinancers, it’s likely these restrictions will ease over time.
