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Student Loans Student Loan Repayment

Splash Financial Student Loan Refinancing Review

4.5 /5
Student Loan Refinance
  • Competitive rates 
  • Compare offers from several lenders at once 
  • Special options for medical school loan refinance
  • Can’t apply with a cosigner 
  • Terms and features will vary by lender
  • Must have graduated with your degree
Rates (APR)4.89% – 9.99
Loan amounts$5,000 and up 
Repayment terms5 – 25 years

Splash Financial is a student loan refinancing marketplace that lets you compare offers from multiple lenders at once. You can check your refinance offers without impacting your credit score by entering a few basic pieces of information. 

We like Splash Financial for creditworthy borrowers looking to snag a better rate, which could lead to significant savings. You can also choose new repayment terms to adjust your payment. However, its undisclosed network of lenders and graduation requirements mean it’s not a fit for everyone.

How does Splash Financial work?

Splash Financial partners with student loan companies to connect you with student loan refinancing offers. It’s an online marketplace that allows you to check your offers from multiple lenders at once in three minutes or less after you answer a few basic questions. 

If you prequalify for student loan refinancing offers (a process that won’t ding your credit score), Splash Financial will show you offers from its network of lenders. You can review the rates and terms of each offer to see if any work for you. If you decide to move forward, you can go on to submit a full application.

Splash Financial isn’t a direct lender, so you may need to check with individual lenders for their unique requirements. Along with student loan refinancing, Splash can also connect you with in-school student loans and personal loans. 

Plus, it has a special option for borrowers looking to refinance medical school loans. Specifically, you can choose to pay $100 per month on your loans during training and for six months afterward if you refinance them through Splash. 

Splash Financial student loan refinancing pros and cons

When considering Splash Financial’s student loan refinancing, it’s important to weigh both its advantages and potential drawbacks. Here’s a look at the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your financial needs.

Pros

  • Compare offers from multiple lenders at once

  • Prequalifying won’t ding your credit score

  • Competitive interest rates starting at 4.89%

  • Special options for refinancing medical school loans

Cons

  • No option to apply with a cosigner

  • Splash doesn’t disclose which lenders are in its partner network

  • Specific requirements and terms may vary by individual lender

  • Requires that you graduated with a four-year degree from a Title IV school or associate degree in an eligible field

Rates, borrowing limits, and fees 

The lenders in Splash Financial’s network offer rates starting at 4.89% and going up to 9.99%. You generally must refinance at least $5,000 in student loans, but there’s no stated maximum limit. Cosigner release is not applicable, as Splash’s partner lenders don’t accept student loan refinancing applications with a cosigner. Here are the full details: 

FeatureDetails
Loan amounts$5,000 and up 
Repayment terms5 – 25 years 
Cosigner release?Cosigners not accepted 

What are the eligibility requirements?

Various borrowers are eligible to refinance student loans with Splash Financial, but it doesn’t offer a cosigner option. Some lenders might recommend a cosigner to bolster your chances of approval or secure better rates, but Splash Financial focuses on the individual applicant’s credentials.

Here’s a snapshot of the basic eligibility requirements:

RequirementDetails
CitizenshipU.S. citizen or permanent resident
State of residenceApplicants from all 50 states may apply (but certain partner lenders aren’t available in all 50 states)
Graduation statusBorrowers must have a degree (associate degree at minimum)
Minimum credit score640 (TransUnion and FICO Score 9, which includes medical debt and rent payments and disregards paid collections)
Minimum income$30,000

How does repayment work?

Repaying a refinance student loan from a Splash Financial partner is contingent on the terms you prequalify for. Not all refinanced student loans carry the same terms. They hinge on individual borrower factors, including creditworthiness and income. 

How long does repayment last?

With Splash Financial’s partners, you can choose a term that suits your financial capability. 

You can pay off the loan early without penalty, saving you on interest costs in the long run. Remember, the longer your term, the lower your monthly payments, but the higher your overall cost due to accrued interest.

Here’s what repayment of a $50,000 refinance loan at a 6% fixed rate might look like:

Repayment term (years)Monthly paymentTotal repayment cost
5$966.64$57,998.40
10$555.10$66,612.00
15$421.34$75,840.60
20$358.22$85,972.80
25$323.05$96,915.00

Does Splash Financial offer unique refinance student loans?

Yes, Splash Financial caters to the specific needs of medical professionals by offering specialized refinance options for medical school loans through its partner lenders. These account for the unique financial circumstances and career trajectories of medical professionals.

Here’s what sets its medical school loan refinancing apart:

TermDetails
Rates (APR)6.39%9.84%
Rate discountsAutopay discounts available vary by lender
Loan amountsStart at $10,001
Repayment termsUp to 25 years (based on prequalification)
Repayment assistance$100 minimum monthly payment during residency

In addition to the general eligibility requirements above, here’s what you need to qualify for this refinance loan:

RequirementDetail
State of residenceAll except Mississippi and Montana
Graduation statusMust have graduated from medical school and matched to a residency or fellowship program at the time of application

How do Splash Financial refinance student loans compare to other lenders?

Splash Financial’s student loan refinance options are competitive when compared with other lenders, as they can offer low interest rates and no fees. Plus, you can check your rates with several lenders at once, allowing you to find an affordable offer. 

However, Splash Financial is not particularly transparent about which lenders are in its network. Credible, by contrast, is another student loan refinance marketplace that discloses the lenders it works with. 

Since Splash is not a direct lender, you’ll also have to check with individual lenders to determine their specific eligibility requirements and repayment options, including protections like deferment and forbearance. A direct lender like SoFi and Earnest can share this information upfront. 

Finally, Splash Financial doesn’t accept cosigners on student loans. Applying with a cosigner can help you get approved if you have weak credit or access better rates. You might prefer an alternative lender if you want to apply with a cosigner. 

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Is Splash Financial legit?

Splash Financial is a legitimate loan marketplace that protects your data with SSL verification and encryption. Since its founding in 2013, Splash has opened over 100,000 accounts and managed over $6 billion in refinancing requests. 

Splash has largely positive reviews on TrustPilot and Google, receiving ratings of 4.8 and 4.7 stars out of five, respectively. Satisfied customers say the loan application process was simple, straightforward, fast, and stress-free. 

The marketplace does have a few negative reviews. Some customers complained about unwanted advertisements, while others were unable to get the interest rates they wanted. Overall, though, Splash has positive feedback from thousands of online customer reviews. 

SourceCustomer ratingNumber of reviews
Trustpilot4.8/51,120
Better Business Bureau1/52
Google4.7/5594 
Collected on August 2024

Does Splash Financial have a customer service team?

Splash, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, offers customer support over the phone, email, and web chat. For general information, call (800) 349-3938, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 9 pm EST. Existing borrowers can call (928) 550-6295, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm EST. 

Alternatively, you can email [email protected] for general questions or [email protected] for help with a current loan. Live web chat is also available on the Splash website Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8 pm EST.

How to apply for Splash Financial refinancing

With most work done online, applying for a student loan refinance with Splash Financial is fast and easy.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to apply:

  1. Check your rate: Click the “Check your rate” button on the Splash Financial website. This process is quick and will take about three minutes. It’s a soft credit check, so it won’t affect your credit score.
  2. Create an account: To proceed, you’ll need to create an account. This involves providing your email address and creating a password.
Account creation screen on Spash's website
Source: Splash Financial
  1. Answer several questions: Splash Financial will ask you questions to assess your eligibility. These might include your current student loans, income, and education details.
  2. Browse refinancing offers: If you qualify, you can browse through various refinancing offers across Splash Financial’s network of lenders.
  3. Choose your loan: Once you’ve found a loan that suits your needs, select it and proceed with the application with the lender. Splash Financial will continue to guide you.
  4. Get refinanced: If your application is approved, the Splash partner you selected will pay off your student loans. You’ll then have a new loan with a single monthly payment.

Every step of the process is designed to be fast and easy. Still, having all your documents and information handy is important to speed up the process. 

You’ll need details about your current student loans, proof of income, and any other information to help Splash Financial assess your eligibility.

FAQ

Does Splash Financial offer private or federal student loans?

Splash Financial is not a direct lender, but it can connect you with student loan refinancing offers from various private lenders. Splash also partners with Earnest to offer in-school private student loans. 

Does applying with Splash Financial hurt my credit?

Applying for student loan refinance with Splash Financial involves a soft credit check to provide you with a preliminary rate quote. This soft check doesn’t affect your credit score. 

If you choose an offer and proceed with a full application, however, Splash will perform a hard credit inquiry. Hard inquiries can lower your credit score by a few points.

Does Splash Financial require a cosigner?

Splash Financial does not require a cosigner—or even offer a cosigner option—for refinancing applications. A cosigner can be beneficial if your credit score or income isn’t sufficient to secure approval on your own. If you want to refinance with a cosigner, consider ELFI.

Is Splash Financial responsible for paying off my current student loans?

Yes. When you refinance your student loans with one of Splash Financial’s lender partners, the new lender pays off your loans with the loan amount you’re approved for. You then repay at the new interest rate and term you’ve agreed upon. This process consolidates your student loans into one monthly payment.

How we rated Splash Financial 

We designed LendEDU’s editorial rating system to help readers find companies that offer the best 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 Splash Financial Ave to several student loan refinance companies, 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 ratings, recapped below.

ProductOur rating
Splash Financial student loan refinancing4.5/5