Earnest Snapshot
Earnest offers both private student loans and student loan refinancing.1 Earnest’s student loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is best if you are seeking competitive interest rates, unique borrower perks, and flexible repayment options that allow you to find a loan that matches your budget.
Pros
Competitive interest rates- Flexible repayment options
- Wide range of loan terms to match your budget
- Nine-month grace period
- Option to skip 1 monthly payment per year
- Allows biweekly payments via autopay
Cons
Loans aren’t available to borrowers in Nevada- Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible
- No cosigner release
Best Features of Earnest Student Loans
Competitive interest rates and zero fees for qualified borrowers
When looking for a student loan, finding a low-interest rate is typically a top priority. If you qualify for an Earnest student loan, you’ll have access to some of the best rates in the industry. Earnest’s variable and fixed interest rates are typically lower than competing student lenders. In addition, you won’t have to pay origination fees, application fees, prepayment penalties, late fees, or insufficient funds fees.
Variety of in-school repayment options
Earnest offers you four repayment options for your student loans.
If possible, it’s beneficial to make in-school loan payments in order to reduce the amount of interest you pay over time.
Repayment Option
Terms
Pros
Cons
Immediate Repayment
Make full payments as soon as the loan is disbursed, while you’re still in school.
You will minimize the interest you pay, resulting in the greatest savings. Because you’re paying down both interest and principal while you’re still in school, you’ll already have made a good start on repaying your loan by the time you graduate.
For many students, it’s not realistic to make full monthly payments while still enrolled in college.
Interest-Only Repayment
Pay only interest while you’re in school.
Your monthly payments will be more manageable, and your loan balance won’t grow while you’re in school.
You won’t make any progress paying down your loan balance while you’re a student. But at least you won’t owe more than you borrowed when it’s time to start making full payments.
Partial Repayment
Pay $25 per month while you’re in school to reduce accrued interest.
You can keep your loan balance in check, and reduce the total amount repaid.
You’ll still owe more than you borrowed when you graduate, but your loan balance won’t grow as quickly.
Deferred Repayment
Don’t make any payments while you’re in school. Begin repayment after graduation or 6 months after graduation.
You won’t have to make payments while you’re in school.
You will likely pay the highest overall cost since unpaid interest will be added to your principal amount at the end of your grace period.
Note: Parents borrowing on behalf of students are limited to interest only and immediate repayment options.
Wide range of loan terms to match your budget
Earnest offers a wide range of loan terms to reduce the burden of your student debt. If you have a cosigner, you can choose a loan term of 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years. If you don’t have a cosigner, you’ll have to choose between a 10, 12 or 15-year loan term, unless you are a graduate student. In that case, you may be considered for 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 year loan terms.
Offers a nine-month grace period
After you are no longer in school at least halftime – because you’ve graduated, left school, or dropped below half-time enrollment – you have a grace period before you begin making full principal and interest monthly payments. While most lenders offer a six-month grace period, some require immediate repayment.
Earnest, on the other hand, offers a nine-month grace period on its student loans. This can be a massive benefit if you need some extra time to find a job and stabilize your income.
Be careful though – interest starts to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed so delaying your payments means you’ll be paying more interest over the lifetime of your loan.
Option to skip one monthly payment every year
Earnest is the only lender that allows you to skip one monthly payment on your student loan every year. This can be incredibly helpful if you lose your job or face an unexpected expense.
In order to qualify, you must:
- Make the request at least five business days before the payment is due.
- Make the request after six months of timely payments of both interest and principal.
While this feature can be extremely helpful when life hits a bump in the road, do note that the principal and interest from that payment will be spread out across your remaining payments, resulting in increased monthly payments.
Allows biweekly payment via autopay
When you repay your student loan, your payments are due monthly by default. Instead, Earnest gives you the option to make biweekly payments via autopay — where you automatically pay half your monthly amount once every two weeks. Many borrowers use biweekly autopay in an effort to pay off their student debt faster and pay less in interest over the lifetime of the loan.
In addition to offering biweekly payments via autopay, Earnest gives you the option to make greater-than-minimum payments via autopay. This means you have the option to pay more than your monthly balance in order to reduce the interest that accrues over time. With Earnest, you can set this up automatically so that the desired monthly payment is drawn from your bank account at the end of each month.
The latest rates from Sparrow’s partners
If you want to skip pre-qualification and apply directly with a lender, you can do so by clicking Apply below.
Drawbacks of Earnest Student Loans
Loans aren’t available to borrowers in Nevada
If you live in Nevada, you’ll have to consider other lenders for your private student loan. A variety of lenders offer private student loans to borrowers in Nevada, such as College Ave, Ascent, and more.
Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible
If you are not enrolled in school at least half-time, you are ineligible for student loans through Earnest. If you’re studying less than half-time, you may want to consider another lender for your private student loan.
No cosigner release
Most private student lenders require or strongly encourage you to apply with a cosigner. Given that young people generally have no/limited credit history, a cosigner can help you qualify for better loan terms.
Many private student lenders allow you to release your cosigner after a few years of timely payments (typically 1-2 years). This essentially means that the cosigner is no longer liable for repaying the loan in the event that you (the borrower) are unable to make payments.
While becoming a cosigner can be daunting, the cosigner release policy is meant to ease the burden and make it less risky. Unfortunately, Earnest does not offer any form of cosigner release. Instead, you will have to apply to refinance your student loan, which is only available once you’ve graduated.
Earnest Eligibility Criteria, Repayment Options & More
Fees and Terms
Loan Terms
For cosigned loans: 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years.
For solo borrowers: 10, 12 or 15 years.
For graduate students with non-cosigned loans, you may be considered for 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15-year loan terms.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to cost of attendance.
Application or Origination Fee
No
Prepayment Penalty
No
Lates Fees
No
Eligibility Requirements (Financial)
Minimum Credit Score
650
Minimum Income
$35,000 for cosigned loans.
Typical Credit Score of Approved Borrowers or Cosigners
Did not disclose.
Typical Income of Approved Borrower
Did not disclose.
Maximum Debt-to-Income Ratio
65%.
Ability to qualify if you’ve filed for bankruptcy
No.
Eligibility Requirements (Personal)
Citizenship
Primary borrower must have a Social Security number. International students are eligible if applying with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Location
Not available to borrowers in Nevada.
Must be enrolled half-time or more
Yes
School requirements
Any school authorized to receive federal aid.
Percentage of borrowers who have a cosigner
Did not disclose.
Repayment Options
In-school Repayment Options
Immediate repayment: Make full payments as soon as the loan is disbursed, while you’re in school.
Interest-only repayment: Only pay interest while you’re in school.
Fixed repayment: Pay $25 a month during school.
Deferred repayment: Wait to make payments until you’re out of school.
Grace period
9 months.
In-school Deferment
Yes
Military Deferment
Yes
Internship, Residency, or Fellowship Deferment
Borrowers can defer payments for up to 48 months during a medical residency, internship, or fellowship program.
Forbearance
Up to 12 months available.
Cosigner Release
No. Borrowers may refinance with Earnest and release their cosigner.
Death or Disability Discharge
Yes, if the borrower dies or suffers a permanent disability.
Loan discharge if cosigner dies or becomes disabled
No.
Autopay
Allows for surplus payments via autopay: Yes.
Allows for biweekly payments via autopay: Yes.
Customer Service
Loan Servicer
Earnest.
In-house Customer Service Team
Yes.
Process for Escalating Concerns
Yes.
Borrowers get assigned a personal customer service representative
No.
Average time from application to approval
Online application: a few minutes.
Approval: Varies by applicant.
Student loan rates from our partners
Ascent
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
LendKey
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
Earnest
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
College Ave
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Earnest FAQs
Is Earnest a legitimate lender?
Yes, Earnest is a legitimate lender that was founded in 2013 and has been providing private student loans since 2019.
Is Earnest available in all 50 states?
Earnest is available in all 50 states except Nevada.
How long does it take to get an Earnest student loan?
Submitting an application through Earnest takes a few minutes. Once you’ve submitted your loan application, Earnest will return a decision about your eligibility, but the exact timeline of this response varies by applicant. If you qualify, you will receive the rate and terms of your loan.
What happens if I don’t qualify for an Earnest student loan?
If you don’t qualify for an Earnest student loan, the company will inform you why. Depending on the reason, you may consider applying with a qualified cosigner or trying with a different lender. To check your rates across multiple lenders at once, try using Sparrow’s free search engine. In just two minutes, you can receive real, personalized offers from over 15 different lenders ready to help you. And best of all, it won’t impact your credit score.
Are Earnest student loans federal or private?
Earnest loans are private loans. Before you take on a private loan, we recommend that you exhaust your federal loan options.
Does applying for a loan through Earnest hurt my credit score?
Applying for a loan through Earnest could hurt your credit score. Earnest has both eligibility check (hard credit check that may temporarily impact your credit score) and rate check (soft credit check, which will not impact your credit score).