Best Low-Interest Student Loans in 2024

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The best low-interest student loans for borrowers are from the federal government. Generally, federal student loans offer lower interest rates than banks, along with a range of protections and benefits. However, keep in mind that federal student loans alone may not be able to cover the cost of higher education — this is where private student loans can help.

Private student loans originate from banks, credit unions and sometimes online lenders. However, these traditional lenders often have stricter underwriting processes and higher interest rates than federal loans. Finding private student loans with the lowest interest rates can help you best manage and pay off student debt after graduation.

College Ave Review


  • College Ave

    Borrow up to 100% of the cost of your education with no origination fees or prepayment penalties.


    • 3.89% - 17.99%Fixed APR Range
    • 5.59% - 17.99%Variable APR Range
    • $1,000 minimum, no maximumLoan Amount Range
    • Not requiredCo-signer

    College Ave is an online student loan lender offering various student loan products and refinancing since 2014 in 50 states and Washington, D.C. These loans are offered to both students and their parents or guardians for funding one’s higher education.

    One of the best things about College Ave is that they offer student loans starting at $1,000 up to the total cost of tuition or attendance, which is not common among other lenders. Borrowers can also get a fixed APR as low as 4.43% and a variable APR as low as 5.59%, depending on their financial situation and other factors, along with various repayment options.

    To save on interest, College Ave offers borrowers the opportunity to reduce their APR by 0.25% if they make automatic payments. Further, if a co-signer is present, they can be released after a specific time. A permanent disability or death can also trigger loan forgiveness at College Ave.

    However, students must make satisfactory academic progress to be considered — and College Ave confirms with the school that requirements are met. Additionally, if you have any late payments, you will be charged a fee based on the monthly payment amount.

    Pros

    • Borrow up to 100% of the cost of your education
    • No origination fees
    • No prepayment penalties
    • Automatic payment discounts available
    • Flexible repayment terms offered

    Cons

    • Funding processing can take up to 10 business days
    • Late payment fees
    • Minimum GPA required
    College Ave

Earnest Review


  • Earnest

    Pre-qualify for loans with no origination or late payment fees.


    • 4.43% - 14.90%Fixed APR
    • 5.32% - 16.20%Variable APR
    • $1,000 upLoan Amount
    • Allowed Co-signer

    Earnest was founded in 2013 and began refinancing federal and private student loans in 2015. With customizable terms, Earnest launched private student loans for undergraduates and graduates in 2019. In addition, the company provides credit cards and personal loans to its clientele.

    Earnest does not charge origination fees or late payment penalties like its competitors. Additionally, they allow you to pre-qualify, letting you know the potential rate you may qualify for without affecting your credit score. Once you’ve applied and are approved, your can receive your loan within two to five weeks.

    It's possible to delay loan payments for up to nine months after graduation if you qualify for a grace period offered by the company. Earnest may also allow you to skip one payment every 12 months if you’ve been on time with your payments.

    Pros

    • Pre-qualify with a soft credit check
    • Co-signers allowed
    • Payment skipping every 12 months
    • No origination fees
    • No late payment fees

    Cons

    • Services are not available in all U.S. states
    • Student loans only available to full-time students
    • Borrowers must meet the state's majority requirement
    Earnest

Sallie Mae Review


  • Sallie Mae

    U.S. Citizens, DACA and permanent residents: Get up to 100% of the cost of your education


    • 3.50%–13.83% Fixed APR
    • 1.37%–11.76%Variable APR
    • $1,000 minimum, no maximumLoan Amount
    • Allowed but not requiredCo-signer

    Sallie Mae began in 1972 as a publicly listed banking corporation providing federal education loans. Currently, the company only gives private student loans to undergraduate, graduate and career training students who seek to finance part or all of their education. Students enrolled half-time or less than half-time can also get a student loan through Sallie Mae, which is unique among student loan lenders. The lender also provides loans to students taking online programs or studying abroad.

    Your program of study and creditworthiness determines the APR, and you can select between a fixed or variable interest rate. While the fixed APR can range between 3.50% and 13.83%, the variable APR range is 1.37% to 11.76%. All students get a 0.25% discount on the APR for scheduling automatic payments and receive a four-month subscription to the Chegg learning platform for signing up. There is also a Sallie Mae parent loan for parents that want to fund their kids’ education.

    The best part of a Sallie Mae student loan is the flexible repayment options (three in total) and the six-month grace period. Plus, students who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States, including DACA students living or attending school in the country, may acquire loans with a co-signer. The co-signer, however, must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

    Pros

    • No Origination fees or any prepayment penalties
    • Flexible repayment plans offered
    • 0.25% interest rate discount for automatic payments
    • Borrow up to 100% of the cost of your education
    • Colleges and scholarships search tool

    Cons

    • 13.83% APR for undergraduate loans
    • Funds release can take up to 10 days
    • 5% late fee payment charge (up to $25)
    Sallie Mae

SoFi Review


  • SoFi

    Fund your undergraduate, graduate, law or MBA degree.


    • 3.22%–11.16%Fixed APR
    • 1.10%–11.68%Variable APR
    • $5,000 minimum, no maximumLoan Amount
    • OptionalCo-signer

    SoFi, founded in 2011, started offering student loan refinancing in 2012. It was the first company to offer the refinancing of both federal and private student loans. Since then, it has funded over $50 billion in loans.

    SoFi offers several different financial products, including student loans. Depending on your needs, you can choose an undergraduate, graduate, law or MBA loan. SoFi also offers student loan refinancing. Parents and sponsors can also take out a loan to finance their student’s education.

    If you choose to make automated payments, you can get a 0.25% discount on your interest rate. If you or your co-signer is already a SoFi member, you can also enjoy a 0.13% interest rate reduction. Additionally, you can earn and redeem rewards points by using the SoFi app. Student loans in good standing that are at least nine months old may also apply for unemployment protection assistance, which may lower monthly payments in the event of unemployment.

    SoFi is a great option for individuals looking to finance the total cost of attendance in school. That said, there is a minimum loan amount of $5,000. If you need a lower amount, you may want to explore other options.

    Pros

    • Borrow up to the total cost of your education
    • No origination fees
    • No prepayment penalties
    • No late payment or insufficient funds fees
    • Several discounts and rewards offered

    Cons

    • $5,000 minimum loan amount
    • Four to six weeks funds processing
    • 11.68% maximum variable APR
    SoFi

Current Rates for Federal Student Loans

Federal loans are the best option for the lowest interest rate student loans. Unlike traditional student loans, federal student loan interest rates are set by federal law instead of based on your financial history.

The U.S. Department of Education extended COVID-19 emergency relief for student loans through the end of 2022, suspending loan payments, implementing a 0% interest rate and stopping collections on defaulted loans. Below are the rates through July 1, 2023.

Fixed Rates for Federal Student Loans
Loan Type
Borrower Type
Fixed Interest Rate

Direct Subsidized &
Unsubsidized Loans

Undergraduate

4.99%

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Graduate or professional

6.54%

Direct PLUS Loans

Parents, graduate or
professional students

7.54%

How to Find Low-Interest Student Loans

Finding a private student loan with the lowest interest rate is essential for any borrower. It reduces how much you have to pay overall in the long run.


Tips to help you find a private student loan:

  1. 1
    Maintain a good credit history

    If you need to opt for a private student loan lender, your credit history determines your interest rates. Make sure to maintain a good credit history by making on-time payments on your bills or any other debt you might have.

  2. 2
    Aim for a lower DTI ratio

    Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a key factor determining your APR. The lower it is, the better, as lenders have different thresholds or maximums.

  3. 3
    Consider getting a co-signer

    If you aren’t sure about your credit history or want a lower APR, getting a co-signer may help. Ask a family member or loved one with good credit if they would be willing to co-sign your loan. You may also want to opt for a lender who releases co-signers after a certain time.

  4. 4
    Find a flexible repayment plan

    It may be difficult to repay your loan right away — opt for lenders with a flexible repayment plan that can adjust depending on your situation in life.

  5. 5
    Search for automatic payment discounts

    The easiest way to reduce your interest rate is by opting for lenders who offer APR discounts. The most common one is for automatic payments, which a number of lenders we reviewed offer.

  6. 6
    Compare fees and member benefits

    When looking at private lenders, compare their offers and member benefits. Comparing lenders allows you to opt for the lowest rate available to you or perks that can help you with your studies and payments.

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HOW WE REVIEWED PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN LENDERS

We reviewed more than 30 private student loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking criteria category, we considered several individual data points that carry the most weight when choosing a private student loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.

With the consumer in mind, we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible — like pre-qualification, payment options and mobile apps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Student Loan Rates

If you’re still unsure about low-interest student loans, MoneyGeek answered a few frequently asked questions.

Is a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate the better option?

Is it possible to get a low-interest student loan without a co-signer?

What is a good interest rate for a student loan?

What determines the interest rate on student loans?

How can I make my student loan payments more affordable?

About Christopher Boston


Christopher Boston headshot

Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.

Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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