Earnest Student Loan Refinance Review 2026

Earnest lets you select the exact monthly payment amount you want, and then sets your loan term accordingly — rather than offering fixed 5/7/10/15/20-year buckets. This gives you fine-grained control over the payment vs. total interest tradeoff. For example, you can target a specific dollar amount that fits your budget, rather than choosing between two term lengths with payments that don't quite match your cash flow.

Earnest typically requires 650+ FICO and reasonably strong income relative to debt. The platform also looks at factors beyond credit score — your savings, career trajectory, and full financial picture — consistent with its roots as a cash-flow underwriter. Pre-qualification uses a soft pull and doesn't affect your credit score.

No — Earnest charges zero fees. There is no origination fee, no prepayment penalty, and no late fee. The APR range (5.39–9.99% variable, 5.49–9.99% fixed with autopay) is the all-in cost. The skip-a-payment feature (once per year with advance notice) also carries no fee.

Earnest is a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs (acquired via Marcus). It operates independently under the Earnest brand, with Goldman Sachs's financial backing providing institutional depth. The product is serviced through Navient's platform. Earnest's parent company ownership means it is backed by a major regulated financial institution, not a standalone fintech.