Refinancing is essentially you applying for private loans. If you are on a student loan, there are companies out there who specialize in loans just like this. Here are some things you need to know before you opt for a private student loan refinance as you may have to give up loan protections, which may include:

• Income-driven plans: You may become ineligible for plans that are offered on the basis of income, which usually includes repayment based on income, pay as you earn plans and so on.
• Loan forgiveness: Loan forgiveness will not be an option if you are looking for a loan with private student loan refinancing companies.

Irrespective of what your reason may be for refinancing college loans, there are banks that offer student loans refinancing as an option. That said, before you go for refinancing college loan as an option, you must know that you cannot go back at a later date. You’re going to be with your refinancing company until you have completely paid off your pending installments to them. In addition to that, you should also note that since student loan refinancing companies are private lenders, you are provided with more options to choose from.

• SoFi – SoFi offers attractive refinancing options at 2.58% – 7% for both undergraduate and graduate students.
• Laurel Road – Laurel Road has options at 2.99% – 6.99% for both kinds of students.
• Earnest – Earnest is another company that has been popular in the market with a rate of 2.57% – 6.39%, offering some of the lowest rates on the list.
• Lendkey – Lendkey is a lending company that is also known with rates of 2.90% – 7.82% for students.

Do your research well before you zero in on a company and weigh all your pros and cons before you decide to refinance your student loan.