What is the difference between a fixed rate and a variable rate student loan? Which option is best for refinancing student loans? When borrowers begin to consider their options for refinancing student loans, one of the most commonly asked questions is whether to choose a fixed or variable rate loan. While the details of each loan type are fairly simple, the crux of the decision is centered around what will be right — and best — for you. If you are still undecided, take a look at the following details to help you better understand and choose between a fixed or a variable rate loan. Let’s start with the who. There are hundreds of financial institutions that can help you consolidate or refinance your student loan. One thing borrowers should keep an eye out for, however, is an organization that offers no application fees, no loan origination fees, and no penalty for paying off your loan early. When it comes to the how, the first step is getting prequalified for a better look at your potential savings. Prequalifying with a student lender means undergoing a soft credit check to learn the interest rates you may qualify for if you decide to refinance.
Fixed Rate Student Loans
A fixed rate student loan has an interest rate that does not change over the life of the loan. This means you will pay the same amount in interest each month for the duration of the loan. Here are a few benefits of this type of loan:
- You’ll always know your exact monthly payment amount
- It’s easy to plan ahead for future payments
- If interest rates rise, your loan won’t be affected
On the other hand, with a fixed rate, you may also experience a few drawbacks. They include:
- Fixed rate student loans can have slightly higher starting rates than variable rate loans
- Even if student loan interest rates drop, your rate will remain the same
To determine which type of student loan you have, first, consider your lender. All federal student loans have fixed rates, while private student loans may have either fixed or variable rates. Based on your financial situation, you may easily be able to determine which type of student loan is right for you. If you’re unsure whether student loan interest rates may rise during your repayment period, a fixed interest rate could be a more reliable choice. Additionally, if you’re on a tight budget and can’t risk higher interest, a fixed rate student loan could be for you.
Variable Rate Student Loans
Variable rate loans, on the other hand, have interest rates that may fluctuate during the term of your loan. These fluctuations are directly linked to changes in common financial indexes. Previously these variable interest rates were based on the LIBOR index but are now based on SOFR. Compared to fixed rate loans, variable rate loans tend to have lower starting interest rates for the same term, but this can change (and increase) after your loan closes. However, most lending institutions, including Education Loan Finance, put an interest rate cap on variable rate student loans.* If you’re trying to decide between fixed and variable rate loans, then consider these benefits:
- If student loan interest rates drop, then your monthly payment will decrease
- Variable rate student loans can have slightly lower starting rates than fixed rate student loans
Variable rate loans, however, are less consistent than fixed rate loans, which can make planning ahead more difficult:
- If student loan interest rates rise, your monthly payment and overall interest total will also rise
- It may be more difficult to budget your monthly payments knowing that your interest rate may change
Variable interest rate student loans may be a good choice if you have a bit more flexibility in your budget. That way, you’ll be prepared if interest rates rise, but can also enjoy the lowered payments if rates fall. Additionally, if rates do fall, you may be able to reduce your loan amount more quickly by making more than the minimum monthly payment. Additionally, those with a shorter loan term may be better suited for a variable interest rate loan because of the limited amount of time that the interest rate may fluctuate.
Comparing Fixed vs. Variable Student Loan Interest Rates
Here are a few of the primary differences between fixed and variable rate student loans. You can compare the two to determine which may be the better fit for your needs:
| Fixed Rate | Variable Rate |
|---|---|
| Same interest rate throughout the life of the loan | Changing interest rate, up or down, over the life of the loan |
| Monthly payments don’t change based on market fluctuations | Monthly payments change frequently based on market fluctuations |
| Tend to have higher initial interest rates | Tend to have lower initial interest rates |
| More consistency, but generally lower savings potential over the life of the loan | Generally higher (but riskier) savings potential over the life of the loan |
| Fixed rate protects borrowers from changing rates | Interest rate caps protect borrowers from rates going too high |
| Dependent on credit score | Dependent on credit score |
| May be better for students with little or poor credit history | May reward students with fair and good credit |
| Available with private or federal student loans | Only available for private or refinanced student loans |
What’s the Best Choice for My Student Loan?
Both fixed and variable interest rate loans have pros and cons. By examining your repayment plan and long-term financial goals, you can determine which is right for you. If you’d like to change your current loan from one type of interest rate to another, then student loan refinancing could be the answer. When you refinance your student loans, you’ll have the option to choose between a fixed or variable interest rate. Student loan refinancing also offers you the opportunity to earn a lower student loan interest rate if you have a strong credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Additionally, you can shorten or lengthen your student loan repayment term to better fit your financial plan. If you’re able to lower your interest rate by refinancing, then both fixed and variable rate loans offer different benefits. With a fixed rate loan, you’ll enjoy the same lowered interest rate until the loan is paid off. A variable rate, on the other hand, may fluctuate slightly, and if it goes down, you’ll have your lowest interest rate yet. Also, don’t forget to check out ELFI’s Student Loan Refinance Calculator to see how student loan refinancing may affect your loans. If you’re interested in refinancing your student loans with ELFI, our expert Customer Care team would love to speak with you. Contact us or give us a call at 1-844-601-ELFI (3534).
