Student Loan Refinance Calculator

Compare current student loans vs refinanced terms. See monthly savings, total interest savings, and break-even point.

$
%
$
months
%
months

New Monthly Payment

$530.33

Monthly Savings

$45.07

Total Interest Savings

$5,408.89

Current Loan

Monthly Payment$575.40
Remaining Term120 months
Total Remaining Payments$69,048.20
Total Interest Remaining$19,048.20

Refinanced Loan

New Monthly Payment$530.33
New Term120 months
Total Payments$63,639.31
Total Interest$13,639.31

Savings Summary

Monthly Savings$45.07
Total Interest Savings$5,408.89

Use the Student Loan Refinance Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

This calculator helps you determine if refinancing your student loans is a financially beneficial decision. It compares your current loan terms with potential new terms to show your estimated monthly savings, total interest saved, and the impact on your repayment period.

The calculator works by first calculating the total cost of your current loans based on your principal, interest rate, and remaining term. It then performs the same calculation for the proposed refinanced loan, using your new interest rate and chosen term. The difference in total interest paid and monthly payments highlights the potential savings.

Always compare interest rates from multiple lenders and consider both fixed and variable rate options. Don't extend your loan term unnecessarily just to lower your monthly payment, as this often leads to paying more interest over time.

Example: Should Sarah Refinance Her $50,000 Student Loan?

  1. 1 Sarah has a $50,000 student loan with a 6.5% interest rate and 8 years (96 months) remaining. A new lender offers her a 4.0% interest rate for a 7-year (84 months) refinance term.
  2. 2 Current Loan: Using a loan payment formula, her current monthly payment is approximately $666.27. Total interest paid over 8 years: $13,962. New Loan: With a 4.0% interest rate over 7 years, her new monthly payment would be approximately $695.53. Total interest paid over 7 years: $8,424.
  3. 3 While her new monthly payment is slightly higher ($29.26 more), she would save a significant $5,538 in total interest ($13,962 - $8,424) and repay her loan one year sooner.
  4. 4 In this scenario, even with a slightly higher monthly payment, refinancing is beneficial for Sarah due to the substantial interest savings and shorter repayment period. This illustrates the importance of looking at both monthly payments and total interest paid.

Source: FSA · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I refinance my student loans?
Refinancing makes sense if you can get a significantly lower interest rate and do not need federal protections like income-driven repayment, PSLF, or forbearance options. Private loans are generally good candidates for refinancing.
What credit score do I need to refinance student loans?
Most refinance lenders require a credit score of 650-700+, a stable income, and a low debt-to-income ratio. The best rates go to borrowers with scores above 750.
Can I refinance federal student loans?
Yes, but refinancing federal loans with a private lender converts them to private loans permanently. You lose access to federal income-driven repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and federal forbearance options.