Nearly 50 million Americans have student loan debt. Ask any one of them and they can tell you something far more enjoyable they’d rather do with that monthly payment. A hot political topic right now, student loan debt has also created an opportunity for a new wave of social finance lenders to shine. Private lenders like SoFi, LendingClub, CommonBond, and Earnest are all over social media (and now TV) boasting five-figure savings and fairytale endings. Some states even offer student loan refinance programs, such as Minnesota’s SELF Refi Program. The several billion in refinanced dollars over the last decade and current low interest rates suggest that refinancing is something anyone with a student loan should at least consider. 

Under the right circumstances, refinancing student loans can be a powerful way to lower interest rates and, in turn, change the trajectory of a financial plan. How does it work? Is it for you? Let’s dive in. 

Pay Down Debt or Invest? 

Looking objectively at a financial plan that involves student loans often leads to one age-old question: is it better to pay minimum balances and invest the difference or to aggressively pay off loans before investing? The answer certainly depends on multiple variables, including risk aversion, tolerance to hold debt, and Biblical convictions. A good financial planner should ask the right questions and help determine the best course of action for each unique individual and not just follow a rule of thumb. Regardless, it is hard to suggest focusing on anything other than paying down a loan if the interest is at 6-10% or more–especially given the volatile stock market we’ve seen lately. Refinancing to a lower rate, however, can change all that. 

A Practical Example 

Consider a married couple carrying a student loan balance of $33,000 at 6.8% with 7 years of payments remaining. If only the minimum payments of $495 are made each month, then the total paid, with interest, will be $41,563. Now, imagine the couple refinances and qualifies for 3.99% fixed interest with a 5-year term and monthly payment of $608. By only making the new minimum monthly payments, the total cost over the life of the loan is reduced to $36,441–a savings of over $5,000!  

But let’s go one step further with this example. Let’s consider the same situation, only in this case, the couple has $1,500/month of disposable income to put either towards student loans or to invest in a tax-advantaged IRA. For simplicity, the couple expects a return of 6.8% on any investments made.  

Before Refinancing

Before refinancing, and at an initial interest rate of 6.8%, the couple elects to put all disposable income towards one large monthly loan payment. Expecting to pay back the loan after two years, the couple plans to then switch over and begin investing the $1,500 each month. 

After Refinancing

After refinancing, however, the couple qualifies for 3.99% fixed interest with a 5-year term. The couple now elects to pay only the monthly minimum of $608 per month and immediately invest the remaining $892 per month. 

Here is how the two scenarios play out after 5 years: 

*Assuming a constant ROI on investments of 6.8% and interest compounding annually. 

In both scenarios, the student loan gets paid off within 5 years, but the portfolio balance after the refinance was more than $3,500 higher. How does this happen when the total invested is less and the amount paid on the loan was more? The answer: compound interest. Although slightly less was actually invested after refinancing, it was invested earlier, resulting in higher earnings over time. Of course, you could extrapolate this over a lifetime and the difference becomes astronomical.  

Additionally, this does not factor in the student loan interest rate tax deduction currently set by the IRS at up to $2,500 annually. The couple actually gains even more of an advantage from the tax deduction because refinancing encouraged them to stretch out the loan in favor of investing. Depending on their tax bracket, this could result in an additional benefit of up to $400! 

Important Considerations 

Refinancing to a private loan isn’t automatically the best option for every circumstance. Federal student loans come with unique benefits like deferment, forbearance due to financial hardship, and in some cases full or partial forgiveness. These benefits get surrendered when refinancing with a private lender. The value of these benefits varies based on circumstances. Additionally, not everyone who applies will qualify for a significantly lower rate. Therefore, the decision to refinance is largely a function of comparing the interest rate reduction to the likelihood of needing to exercise any of the benefits that come with a federal loan. 

Take the Next Step 

Guide Financial Planning can help make sense of student loans. We help those seeking to be wise biblical stewards step back from the stress of that monthly loan payment, see the big picture, and have a plan in which they can feel confident. Reach out today and let’s have a conversation about getting ahead of your student loans. 

Guide Financial Planning is not paid or endorsed by any of the social finance lenders mentioned in this article.

About Guide Financial Planning

Guide Financial Planning is led by founder Ben Wacek, who is a Christian fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Kingdom Advisor®. He has a passion to help people of all income levels make wise financial decisions and steward their resources from an eternal perspective using Biblical principles. Based in Minneapolis, MN, he works with clients both locally and virtually throughout the country and abroad. You can follow the links to learn more about Guide Financial Planning and our team and the services we offer.