Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Student Loan Repayment 8 Lenders That Refinance Student Loans Without a Degree Updated May 23, 2025 7-min read Expert Approved Expert Approved This article has been reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner™ for accuracy. Written by Kristen Barrett, MAT Written 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 Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP® Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP® Expertise: Insurance planning, education planning, retirement planning, investment planning, military benefits, behavioral finance Erin Kinkade, CFP®, ChFC®, works as a financial planner at AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust. Erin prepares comprehensive financial plans for military veterans and their families. Learn more about Erin Kinkade, CFP® Company What to know Loan amounts Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates Best for comparison shopping Vary by lender 5.0 View Rates 4.6 View Rates Best skip-a-payment benefit $5,000 – $500,000 4.6 View Rates 4.4 View Rates Offers income-based repayment plans $7,500 – $250,000 4.4 View Rates 4.4 View Rates Marketplace – shares results for international students Vary by lender 4.4 View Rates 4.1 View Rates Parent student loan refinance $10,000 – $500,000 4.1 View Rates 4.1 View Rates Fixed rates only Starting at $10,000 4.1 View Rates 3.8 View Rates Up to 36 months of deferment if you return to school $10,000 – $200,000 3.8 View Rates 3.6 View Rates Benefits for New Hampshire students $7,500 – $200,000 3.6 View Rates Show more Graduating isn’t a requirement for refinancing student loans at every lender. While many require a diploma, a growing number of private lenders offer options for borrowers who didn’t finish school. These lenders may evaluate your credit score, payment history, or income instead. Below, we highlight lenders that allow you to refinance student loans without a degree, along with eligibility details, rates, and pros and cons. Table of Contents 1. Credible 2. Earnest 3. RISLA 4. Sparrow 5. Citizens Bank 6. MEFA 7. PNC 8. EdvestinU Should you refinance your loans without a degree? FAQ 1. Credible Best for Comparison Shopping 5.0 /5 View Rates About Credible’s refinancing Many positive customer reviews $200 best rate guarantee Open about its partner lenders Fewer lenders in network than several other marketplaces Doesn’t offer support once loan is made We found lower rates on other comparison sites Credible is a marketplace, so degree requirements vary by partner lender. Some lenders within its network will allow you to refinance without graduating, especially if you have a strong credit history and income. It’s a good first stop if you’re not sure which lenders are flexible on degree status. Rates (APR)3.85% – 12.35%Loan amountsVary by lenderRepayment terms5 – 20 years (may vary by lender) 2. Earnest Best Skip-a-Payment Benefit 4.6 /5 View Rates About Earnest’s refinancing 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 Earnest has one of the clearest policies for refinancing without a degree, but it’s also among the strictest. You must be more than six years out of school, have a credit score of at least 700, and your school can’t be a for-profit institution. If you meet those criteria, Earnest can be an excellent fit for nongraduates with solid finances. Rates (APR)5.19% – 9.74%Loan amounts$5,000 – $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 yearsMin. credit score665 3. RISLA Offers Income-Based Repayment Plans 4.4 /5 View Rates About RISLA’s refinancing Offers income-based repayment plans Rhode Island residents and students can refinance while still in school Limited live customer support No cosigner release in some states RISLA prefers that borrowers have a degree but doesn’t make it a hard requirement. It evaluates applicants case-by-case, so strong financials may outweigh the lack of a diploma. This makes RISLA a solid option if you’re in good standing but didn’t finish your program. Rates (APR)3.99% – 8.54% fixed (rates higher for non-RI residents and for not using autopay)Loan amounts$7,500 – $250,000Repayment terms5, 10, or 15 years 4. Sparrow Offers for International Students 4.4 /5 View Rates About Sparrow’s refinancing Compare 17+ lenders in one place (and lenders can’t pay for rankings) No impact on credit for basic search Loans with and without a cosigner Shows results for parents and international students Lacks rate transparency on its website Few reviews on Trustpilot (with a low average rating) Like Credible, Sparrow is a lending platform that partners with multiple lenders, some of which don’t require a degree to refinance. It’s a flexible way to explore your options if you’re unsure who will work with you. Be sure to read lender-specific eligibility terms once you get your quotes. Rates (APR)Varies by lenderLoan amountsVaries by lender, but most allow between $5,000 and $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 years 5. Citizens Bank Offers Parent Loan Refinance 4.1 /5 View Rates About Citizens Bank’s refinancing 0.25% rate discount for current Citizens Bank account holders 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 Citizens Bank allows borrowers to refinance without a degree as long as they’ve made at least 12 qualifying payments on their student loans after leaving school. This makes it a practical option for borrowers with an established repayment history but no diploma. It’s especially helpful if you’ve made payments consistently and want to lower your rate. Rates (APR)6.49% – 12.41%Loan amounts$10,000 – $500,000Repayment terms5 – 20 years*Powered by Credible 6. MEFA No Variable Rates 4.1 /5 View Rates About MEFA’s refinancing Multiple repayment terms available Check your rates with no credit impact Almost all loans are eligible, including parent loans Can’t apply right out of school Loans from for-profit schools don’t qualify MEFA doesn’t require you to have graduated, but it does require that your debt be from attendance at a nonprofit, degree-granting institution. In other words, you need to have been on a degree track, even if you didn’t finish. That still gives many borrowers a path forward as long as their school qualifies. Rates (APR)6.20% – 8.99%Loan amountsStarting at $10,000Repayment terms7, 10, or 15 years 7. PNC 36-Month Deferment If Returning to School 3.8 /5 View Rates About PNC’s refinancing Deferment option for up to 36 months if you return to full-time school Refinance up to $200,000 in loans (depending on degree attained) No refinancing options for Parent PLUS loans separately No prequalification or soft credit check option to see rates Customer service reviews across PNC as a whole are largely negative PNC doesn’t require a degree to refinance, but you must be out of school and actively making payments on your loans. This helps demonstrate financial responsibility in lieu of graduation. It’s a straightforward option for borrowers who didn’t finish but are already managing repayment well. Fixed rates (APR)4.43% – 16.99%Variable rates (APR)5.59% – 16.99%Loan amounts$10,000 – $200,000 (depending on degree attained)Repayment terms5, 10, 15, or 20 years 8. EdvestinU Benefits for New Hampshire Students 3.6 /5 View Rates About EdvestinU’s refinancing Nonprofit lender Helpful customer service New Hampshire students get much cheaper rates and easier approvals Wider range of term length options Steep income requirements High minimum loan amounts required Can’t refinance education debt with family EdvestinU prefers borrowers with a degree, but its underwriting process leaves room for exceptions. If you have steady income and solid credit, you may qualify even if you didn’t graduate. The lender may also consider the type of school attended and your repayment history. Rates (APR)5.400% – 9.741% fixed, 7.061% – 8.809% variable, w/ autopayRefinance amounts$7,500 – $200,000Repayment terms5 – 20 years Before refinancing, gather your income and expenses and create a budget to see what payments fit. Then compare lenders carefully. If you have a cosigner, consider releasing them; if not, adding one could help you qualify or get a better rate. Erin Kinkade , CFP®, ChFC® Should you refinance your loans without a degree? If you can qualify based on credit and income, refinancing could save you money on interest or lower your monthly payment. But it isn’t always the right move: Avoid refinancing federal loans if you need access to benefits like income-driven repayment or forgiveness. Compare multiple lenders since rates and eligibility vary. Weigh adding or removing a cosigner depending on your credit profile and goals. Ask yourself what you’re hoping to achieve: lower payments, reduced interest, or removing a cosigner. Consider whether your loans are federal or private and if you still need federal protections. Your income, budget, and the current interest rate environment should all factor into your decision. Erin Kinkade , CFP®, ChFC® Read more: How to Refinance Student Loans With a Cosigner [Best Rates + Lenders] FAQ Do I need a cosigner to refinance without graduating? It depends. A strong credit profile may be enough, but adding a cosigner can improve your chances and rates. Does refinancing without a degree hurt my credit? You may see a temporary dip from the hard inquiry, but refinancing can help your credit long-term if you make on-time payments. Will I lose federal loan protections if I refinance? Yes. If you refinance federal loans with a private lender, you’ll lose benefits like IDR plans and forgiveness programs. Recap of lenders that will refinance student loans with no degree Company What to know Loan amounts Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates Best for comparison shopping Vary by lender 5.0 View Rates 4.6 View Rates Best skip-a-payment benefit $5,000 – $500,000 4.6 View Rates 4.4 View Rates Offers income-based repayment plans $7,500 – $250,000 4.4 View Rates 4.4 View Rates Marketplace – shares results for international students Vary by lender 4.4 View Rates 4.1 View Rates Parent student loan refinance $10,000 – $500,000 4.1 View Rates 4.1 View Rates Fixed rates only Starting at $10,000 4.1 View Rates 3.8 View Rates Up to 36 months of deferment if you return to school $10,000 – $200,000 3.8 View Rates 3.6 View Rates Benefits for New Hampshire students $7,500 – $200,000 3.6 View Rates