If you’re looking to take out a student loan you probably just have the basics in mind — good rates, manageable terms and a clear path to repayment. While many lenders check those boxes, some go a step further. SoFi, one of the biggest names in the private student loan space, offers more than just funding. From career coaching to financial planning tools and member perks, SoFi is designed to support borrowers well beyond the classroom. Let’s break it down.
SoFi Student Loans
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APR
3.23% to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount (Undergraduate New Loan). Other rates and loan types are available. Visit SoFi’s website for full details.
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Loan types
Undergraduate, graduate, parent loans, law school, MBA and health professions loans
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Loan amounts
$5,000 (or state-mandated minimum) up to the cost of attendance
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Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15 years; refinancing loans up to 20 years
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Co-signer required?
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Offer student loan refinancing?
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Offer parent loan?
Pros
- High loan amount
- No co-signer required
- 0.25% interest rate discount for autopay
- Offers student loan refinancing
Cons
- No co-signer release
- Minimum loan is on the high side
Fixed rates range from 3.23% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.39%APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 7/10/2025 and are subject to change at any time.Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers.Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthlyprincipal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
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Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, health professionals
$5,000 minimum (or up to state); maximum up to cost of attendance
5, 7, 10, 15, years; up to 20 years for refinancing loans
What does SoFi offer student loans for?
SoFi offers private student loans for undergraduate, graduate, law, MBA and parent borrowers. These loans are designed to help cover educational expenses not met by scholarships, grants or federal student aid. SoFi also offers student loan refinancing for those looking to consolidate and potentially lower their existing loan payments.
How to qualify for a SoFi student loan
To qualify for a SoFi student loan, you must meet several eligibility criteria related to your enrollment status, credit history and U.S. residency. You’ll also need to apply with the necessary documentation, such as proof of income, ID and school certification.
Enrollment status
SoFi required you to be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible Title IV school. SoFi loans are not available for non-degree or certificate programs.
Credit requirements
You also need to have good to excellent credit, typically a minimum FICO score of 650 to 680, though having a co-signer can improve approval odds and interest rates. SoFi performs a soft credit check for prequalification, so checking rates won’t affect your score.
SoFi Student rates, terms and fees
SoFi offers competitive rates with no hidden fees. Their loans are often best suited for borrowers with strong credit or access to a creditworthy co-signer.
Rates
SoFi offers fixed rates starting at around 3.23% to 15.99% APR, and variable rates starting at around 4.39% to 15.99% APR. Exact rates vary by creditworthiness, loan term and whether you sign up for autopay.
Terms
SoFi offers both fixed and variable rate student loans with terms ranging from five to 20 years.
Fees
SoFi charges no origination fees, prepayment penalties or late fees.
Loan amounts
Borrowers can take out up to the full cost of attendance, as certified by the school, minus any other financial aid received.
Repayment options
SoFi offers several repayment plans:
- Immediate – Full payments start right away
- Interest-only – Pay only interest while in school
- Partial – Small fixed monthly payments while in school
- Deferred – No payments due until after graduation (interest accrues)
SoFi benefits and features
SoFi goes beyond traditional student lending and offers a range of perks, such as:
- Unemployment protection – If you lose your job, you may qualify for temporary forbearance and career assistance to help you get back on track
- Career coaching – SoFi members get free access to career advisors who can help with resume building, job searches and interview prep
- Member rate discounts – Existing SoFi members may qualify for interest rate discounts on additional loans
SoFi pros and cons
Like any private lender, SoFi has its strengths and trade-offs
Pros
- Competitive interest rates
- No fees or prepayment penalties
- Offers loans for multiple degree levels and parent borrowers
Cons
- Requires strong credit or a co-signer
- Not available for international students
- No income-based repayment options
SoFi customer service
SoFi offers a 7-day-a-week customer support via phone, email or live chat. It also has an A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), highlighting its intuitive online platform.
How to apply for a SoFi student loan
To apply for a SoFi loan, you’ll first have to get prequalified with a soft credit check. From there, you’ll:
- Choose your rate and term
- Submit a full application with supporting documents
- Certify your loan with your school
- Receive disbursement directly to the school once approved
How SoFi compares to other student loans
While SoFi offers flexible terms and valuable perks, many of the same benefits can also be found with Earnest, which provides a wide range of loan terms and amounts — from $1,000 up to the full cost of attendance, or $5,000 to $550,000 for student loan refinancing. Earnest also offers a nine-month grace period, which is three more months than what most lenders offer before repayment begins.
Earnest
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Eligible borrowers
Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, half-time students, international and DACA students
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Loan types
Undergraduate, graduate loans, parent loans, MBA, medical school, law school, international and DACA student loans
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Loan amounts
$1,000 up to the cost of attendance for new loans, $5,000 to $550,000 for refinance loans
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Loan terms
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Borrower protections
Nine-month grace period available
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Co-signer required?
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Offer student loan refinancing?
Pros
- Nine-month grace period available
- No co-signer required
- 0.25% interest rate discount for autopay
- Qualified borrowers can skip one payment every 12 months
- Offers student loan refinancing
Cons
- No co-signer release option available
- Variable rates not available in all states
Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.24% APR to 10.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 6.13% APR to 10.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan refinance loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. The maximum rate for your loan is 8.95% if your loan term is 10 years or less. For loan terms of more than 10 years to 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 9.95%. For loan terms over 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 11.95%. Please note, we are not able to offer variable rate loans in AK, IL, MN, NH, OH, TN, and TX. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account.
If you’re looking to apply without a co-signer, Ascent is another strong option. It offers loans to borrowers without established credit or a co-signer by evaluating alternative factors such as your school, program, expected graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Ascent® Funding
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APR
3.09% to 15.61% APR with autopay discount (undergraduate new loan). Other rates and loan types are available. Visit Ascent’s website for full details.
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Loan types
Undergraduate and graduate loans, MBA, medical school, dental school, law school, doctorate and Master’s, health professional loans.
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Loan amounts
$2,001 up to $200,000 for undergraduate loans and $400,000 for graduate loans
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Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 years
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Borrower protections
Deferment and forbearance options available
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Co-signer required?
For DACA recipients and non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents
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Offer student loan refinancing?
Pros
- Considers borrowers with no credit
- High loan limit
- Co-signer release available after just 12 payments
- Up to 1% interest rate discount for autopay
- 1% cash back rewards
Cons
- Maximum fixed APR is on the high side
- Doesn’t offer student loan refinancing
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Fixed rates range from 3.23% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.39%APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 7/10/2025 and are subject to change at any time.Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers.Check out our eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthlyprincipal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.