How to Pay Off Large Student Loans

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Paying off large student loans quick can feel like an impossible task. Many borrowers graduate from a bachelor’s degree program with nearly $25,000 in student loans, according to the Department of Education, and repaying this level of debt can be challenging.

Thankfully, there’s more than one strategy you can use to repay your student loans. Some borrowers make extra monthly payments and earn an autopay discount. Other borrowers can refinance or take advantage of tax deductions.

Use the following strategies and information as a guide to help you pay off large student loan debt.

8 strategies to pay off large student loans

Every borrower’s situation is unique, particularly when it comes to paying off large amounts of education debt. Consider your potential fit for these eight strategies.

1. Consider refinancing

If you think you can repay your student loans in fewer years than the original term, or if you have student loans with very high interest rates, you may want to consider refinancing. Refinancing involves replacing your current loan with a new loan, one that ideally will have either a lower interest rate or shorter term.

Some of the benefits of refinancing include:

• Getting a lower interest rate
• Lower monthly payments with an extended repayment term
• Paying off your balance faster with a shorter repayment term
• Releasing a cosigner from your original loan

By visiting Credible, you can learn more about student loan refinancing and compare rates from multiple lenders.

The student loan refinancing companies in the table below are Credible’s approved partner lenders. Because they compete for your business through Credible, you can request rates from all of them by filling out a single form. Then, you can compare your available options side-by-side. Requesting rates is free, doesn’t affect your credit score, and your personal information is not shared with our partner lenders unless you see an option you like.

Lender	Variable rates from (APR)	Fixed rates from (APR)
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	4.54%+	4.4%+
Fixed APR: 4.4%+ Variable APR: 4.54%+ Min. credit score: 690 Loan amount: $10,000 to $400,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must have a credit score of at least 720, a minimum income of $60,000, and must be a resident of Texas Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Does not disclose Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 – $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 – $400,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Does not disclose
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	5.39%+1	5.39%+1
Fixed APR: 5.39%+1 Variable APR: 5.39%+1 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $10,000 to $750,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, loyalty Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $150,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	5.24%+2	5.24%+2
Fixed APR: 5.24%+2 Variable APR: 5.24%+2 Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $5,000 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: All states except for ME Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $300,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	7.41%+5	7.41%+5
Fixed APR: 7.41%+5 Variable APR: 7.29%+5 Min. credit score: 700 Loan amount: $7,500 to $200,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and submit two personal references Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 36 months Loan servicer: Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R) Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $199,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing : Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	3.99%+3	4.83%+3
Fixed APR: 4.83%+3 Variable APR: 3.99%+3 Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: $10,000 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 Repayment options: Forbearance Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have at least $15,000 in student loan debt, and have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an approved school Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Mohela Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $250,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $250,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	6.61%+4	5.61%+4
Fixed APR: 5.61%+4 Variable APR: 6.61%+4 Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $5,000 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: Yes Max undergraduate loan balance: $250,000 Max graduate loan balance: $250,000 Offers Parent PLUS refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	4.38%+	4.49%+
Fixed APR: 4.49%+ Variable APR: 4.38%+ Min. credit score: 700 Loan amount: $5,000 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15 Max. undergraduate Loan Balance: $125,000 Time to Fund: 10 to 30 days Repayment options: Immediate repayment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have already graduated with at least an associate degree from an eligible institution Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: LendKey Technologies Inc. Max. graduate Loan Balance: $175,000 Credible Review: LendKey Student Loans review Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: No
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	N/A	5.1%+
Fixed APR: 5.1%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $10,000 up to the total amount Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15 Repayment options: Military deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: AES Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: No maximum Max. Gradaute Loan Balance: No maximum Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	N/A	5.49%+
Fixed APR: 5.49%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $7,500 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 12, 15 Repayment options: Does not disclose Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen and have and at least $7,500 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: PenFed Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $300,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $300,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology.	N/A	5.29%+
Fixed APR: 5.29%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: $7,500 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Available in all 50 states; must also have at least $7,500 in student loans and a minimum income of $40,000 Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Does not disclose Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Rhode Island Student Loan Authority Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 – $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 – $249,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Compare personalized rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. 100% free! Compare Now
All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | 1Citizens Disclosures | 2College Ave Disclosures | 5EDvestinU Disclosures | 3 ELFI Disclosures | 4INvestEd Disclosures | 7ISL Education Lending Disclosures

2. Apply for loan forgiveness

The CARES Act of 2020 was designed to provide economic assistance to a variety of Americans, including student loan holders. Federal student loan repayments were suspended with a 0% interest rate — and collections were halted — until 60 days after June 30, 2023.

3. Stick to a budget

This can help you afford your minimum monthly payment comfortably. It can also help you increase your monthly payment to repay your loans faster.

Make a list of your monthly expenses and how they compare to your monthly income. This will help you identify which percentage of your income is devoted to your minimum monthly payment. When you see an area where you can cut back on spending, you might devote that extra money toward your loans each month.

4. Make additional payments

Making additional payments each month can significantly reduce the overall amount you’ll repay in interest.

But if you were to make an additional payment of only $20 per month, you’ll lower your overall interest payment to $2,165 — that’s almost $600 in total savings just by devoting an extra $5 per week to your loans.

Use a student loan repayment calculator to see how much additional payments could save you over the lifetime of your loan.

5. Set up automatic payments

Some lenders offer a discount on automatic payments. For instance, federal loan servicers offer an interest rate deduction of 0.25 percentage points for automatic payments made on Direct Loans. Many private lenders offer the same discount.

Missing your monthly payment by even a single day can result in serious consequences. Automatic payments help ensure that your monthly payment is paid on time.

6. Use discounts to lower your interest rate

Discounts lowering your student loan interest rates are typically small, but any savings is worth securing. Scheduling automatic payments can provide you with a discount of 0.25 percentage points or more depending on the loan servicer.

There are also other discounts available that you may qualify for. Some banks offer discounts if you refinance your student loans with them. Other lenders may offer discounts to borrowers simply for graduating, earning good grades, or opening a second account (perhaps for savings or checking).

Talk to your lender about any discounts you may be eligible for.

7. Take advantage of tax deductions

Borrowers repaying their student loans may be eligible for tax deductions.

8. Ask your employer about repayment assistance

Some employers offer repayment assistance programs. While many of these programs are available to eligible full-time employees, some companies offer monthly matching programs to part-time employees as well. Talk to your employer about its programs.

These employers currently offer employee student loan repayment assistance:

• Aetna will match repayments up to $2,000 per year up to a maximum of $10,000.
• Google will match up to $2,500 per year to employee student loan repayment.
• New York Life offers $170 monthly over a period of five years towards student loans in good standing.
• Western Union offers a $50 monthly contribution to employee student loans.

How long does it take to pay off student loans?

This can vary depending on the type of loan you take out, whether it’s federal or private.

When you take out a federal student loan, you’re assigned a 10-year loan term. You can switch repayment plans, to a term ranging from 10 to 30 years.

Private student loans depend on the lender, usually ranging between 5 and 20 years.

Is it smart to pay off student loans early?

It depends on your financial situation. You’ll also hear conflicting advice when it comes to which method is best for paying off your student loans quick. Some experts suggest paying off your loans early to avoid paying unnecessary interest costs; others will advise you to pay them off in a way that ensures you’re still financially comfortable.

Pros of paying off your student loans early:

• You accrue and pay as little interest as possible
• You remove a financial obligation
• You free up your debt-to-credit ratio which might allow you to pursue other financial goals

Cons of paying off your student loans early:

• You might put a strain on your finances
• You’ll have less money to devote to other payments or debts
• You may have to reduce your lifestyle expenses in the short term
• You might not be able to fully take advantage of employer reimbursement or federal forgiveness programs

Remember, the best strategy for repaying your student loans will always be the one that aligns with your unique budget, lifestyle, and financial goals.

About the author

Nick Dauk is a Credible authority on personal finance. His work has been featured in Business Insider, The Edge, Bisnow, The Telegraph, BBC, and Culture Trip.

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