Can You Transfer Private Student Loans to Federal Student Loans?

No, you can’t transfer private student loans to federal student loans—but there are still ways to get some of the same benefits. If you’re hoping to switch your private loans over to the federal system, you’re probably looking for perks like income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, deferment or forbearance options during tough times, or even student loan forgiveness.

The catch? The Department of Education doesn’t allow you to turn private loans into federal ones. But you aren’t totally without options. In this guide, we’ll walk through your options for managing private student loan repayment, including how to find lenders that offer flexible terms and what federal-only benefits you might be missing out on.

Table of Contents

1. Can I refinance my private student loans to federal?
2. Options when you want to convert your private loans to federal—but can’t
3. The best refinance private student loans for repayment benefits
   1. Credible
   2. ELFI
   3. Earnest

Can I refinance my private student loans to federal?

No, you can’t refinance private student loans into federal loans. It’s a common question—and totally understandable. Federal student loans come with big benefits, like:

• Income-driven repayment plans that lower your monthly bill based on your income.
• Deferment and forbearance options when money’s tight
• Forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

But once you’ve borrowed from a private lender, you’re outside the federal system. And while you can refinance federal loans into private ones (not always recommended), it doesn’t work the other way around—there’s no path to turn a private loan into a federal one.

If you’re wondering about federal consolidation, that’s something different. Federal loan consolidation simply combines multiple federal loans into one—it doesn’t apply to private loans. Refinancing, on the other hand, involves taking out a new loan (usually with a private lender) to replace one or more existing ones, often to get a better rate or repayment terms.

So, while you can’t refinance private loans into federal loans, you do have some options to get closer to the flexibility you’re looking for.

Options when you want to convert your private loans to federal—but can’t

Just because you can’t switch your private loans over to federal doesn’t mean you’re stuck with rigid repayment. Here are two smart ways to find more flexibility:

1. Contact your lender

Your lender might already offer some flexibility—you just have to ask. While private student loans don’t come with the same benefits as federal loans, some lenders offer similar features that can help you manage your payments, especially during financial hardship.

Here are some of the federal-like benefits to look for:

• Deferment: Temporarily pause your payments while you’re in school, serving in the military, or facing other qualifying situations.
• Forbearance: Temporarily stop or reduce your payments due to financial hardship—like a job loss or medical emergency.
• Payment reduction or interest-only plans: Some lenders allow you to pay just the interest (or a smaller amount) for a period of time, easing your financial load.

Here are a few private lenders and the perks they offer:

Lender	Benefit	What it does
Earnest	Skip-a-payment	Skip 1 scheduled monthly payment every 12 months.
Earnest	Loan forbearance	Offers up to 12 months of payment forbearance for hardship.
Sallie Mae	Term modification	Temporarily reduce your monthly payment.
Sallie Mae	Reduced payment	Make interest-only payments for up to 6 months.
Sallie Mae	Graduated repayment	12 interest-only payments while you transition from school.
Sallie Mae	Loan forbearance	Temporarily pause your monthly payments during hardship.
Funding U	Loan forbearance	Paused payments in 90-day increments while in repayment.
College Ave	Extended grace period	Will extend grace periods an additional 6 months for undergrads, 9 months for grads

Even if your lender isn’t on this list, it’s worth reaching out—it may offer temporary relief or help restructure your loan payments.

2. Refinance to another private lender that offer repayment benefits

If your current lender isn’t flexible, refinancing your private loans with a new lender could open the door to better terms. When you refinance, you’re essentially replacing your loan(s) with a brand-new one—ideally with lower interest, a more manageable monthly payment, or built-in borrower protections.

Some refinancing lenders go beyond just offering competitive rates—they also include options like temporary forbearance, flexible repayment terms, and even payment reduction plans, much like you’d find with federal loans.

In the next section, we’ll share some of the top student loan refinance lenders that offer borrower-friendly features to help you stay on track—even when life gets unpredictable.

The best refinance private student loans for repayment benefits

If you’re looking to refinance your private student loans specifically to get more flexible repayment options, some lenders stand out. While you can’t switch your loans to the federal system, the right private lender can still give you tools to manage your payments during tough times—like temporary forbearance, interest-only payment plans, or even letting you skip a payment now and then.

All the lenders mentioned below are worth considering if you’re not already working with them. (Note: Sallie Mae does not offer student loan refinancing, so it’s not included in our refinance recommendations.)

Here are our top picks for refinancing private student loans when repayment flexibility is a priority:

Credible

Best for Comparison Shopping

5.0 _/5

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Why it’s a good option

Credible isn’t a direct lender—it’s a marketplace that lets you compare offers from multiple lenders at once. That makes it one of the best places to start if your goal is to find a refinancing loan with borrower-friendly perks. Instead of researching individual lenders one by one, you can submit a quick form and get real, personalized rate quotes from a variety of top refinancing lenders.

When you’re facing repayment challenges, comparison shopping is key—not just to find the lowest interest rate, but also to spot lenders that offer hardship protections, flexible repayment terms, or deferment and forbearance options. Credible also performs a soft credit check for quotes, so it won’t hurt your credit score to browse your options.

Learn more about Credible student loan refinancing.

ELFI

Best Personalized Support

4.7 _/5

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Why it’s a good option

ELFI stands out for offering dedicated student loan advisors—real humans who guide you through the refinancing process from start to finish. That kind of personalized support can be especially helpful if you’re struggling to manage your current payments and need help crafting a strategy.

In terms of features, ELFI offers competitive rates and flexible repayment terms (up to 15 years), and its advisors can help you choose a plan that aligns with your goals. While it doesn’t have the most robust hardship benefits out there, the one-on-one support is a major perk if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your next step.

Learn more about ELFI’s student loan refinancing.

Earnest

Best Skip-a-Payment Benefit

4.6 _/5

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Why it’s a good option

Earnest is a strong choice if you’re specifically hunting for federal-style repayment perks. It offers a standout feature that lets you skip one payment every 12 months—something that mimics federal forbearance on a small scale. Earnest also provides up to 12 months of forbearance during times of financial hardship, and allows you to customize your monthly due date, giving you more control over your budget.

Plus, Earnest offers flexible term lengths (between 5 and 20 years), and you can fine-tune your repayment plan to get the monthly payment that works best for you. It’s a good match for borrowers who want more predictability, control, and room to breathe when life throws curveballs.

Learn more about Earnest student loan refinancing.