Student loan refinance replaces existing loans with a new private loan—this calculator compares lifetime interest and monthly payment against federal protections you may lose.
Durch die Umschuldung von Studienkrediten können Absolventen teure Altverträge durch zinsgünstige Neudarlehen privater Banken ersetzen. Insbesondere bei verbessertem Scoring oder gesunkenem Marktzinsniveau lassen sich so Tausende Euro Zinslast vermeiden und die Schuldendauer verkürzen.
Umschulden oder Bundesdarlehen behalten?
Bundesdarlehen-Refinanzierung macht sie privat—PSLF, IDR, Stundung und Bundes-Konsolidierung entfallen. Vergleichen Sie APR und Laufzeit mit dem Wert dieser Schutzrechte.
Niedrigere Rate bei längerer Laufzeit kann mehr Gesamtzinsen kosten als beim aktuellen Bundesdarlehen. Lebenslange Zinsen und Restmonate nebeneinander prüfen.
Bei Public Service Loan Forgiveness oder einkommensabhängiger Tilgung lohnt private Refinanzierung selten, selbst bei 1–2 % niedrigerem APR.
Leitfaden, Beispiele und Methodik
How to use this student loan refinance calculator
Enter your combined federal and/or private student loan balance, current weighted APR, remaining term in years, and a quoted refinance offer (new APR, new term, optional origination fee). The calculator compares monthly payment, total interest paid, and lifetime savings. Use it before signing a private refinance offer—especially if you are comparing a 10-year aggressive payoff against a 20-year lower payment that adds total interest.
This tool models a single consolidated private loan. It does not replicate income-driven repayment (IDR) caps, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) progress, or federal deferment. If any part of your strategy depends on those programs, treat private refinance savings as hypothetical until a certified student loan counselor or CPA confirms you are not giving up more value than you gain in rate reduction.
Example (USD): $45,000 at 6.8% refinanced to 4.9%
Scenario
Monthly payment
Total interest (illustrative)
Current: 6.8% APR, 10 years left
~$518
~$17,200 remaining
Refi: 4.9% APR, 10 years
~$475
~$12,000 remaining
Refi: 4.9% APR, 15 years (lower pay)
~$354
~$18,700 total
A lower rate with a longer term can reduce your payment but increase lifetime interest versus keeping the original schedule—even when the APR drops. Always compare total interest, not just the new monthly bill. The break-even on any refinance fee is similar to mortgage math: upfront cost ÷ monthly savings ≈ months to recover the fee.
Federal protections you may lose
Income-driven repayment (IDR) — payments tied to income and family size, with forgiveness after 20–25 years on eligible plans.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments while working for eligible employers.
Death/disability discharge and certain forbearance options tied to federal loan status.
Future payment pauses or broad forgiveness policies that apply only to federal loans.
Refinance makes the most sense when you have stable W-2 income, credit scores often in the 720+ range for the best rates, no credible PSLF path, and no need for IDR because your payment is already affordable at standard amortization. High earners with graduate PLUS loans at older rates are common refinance candidates—but run the numbers here first.
Private vs federal-only refinance
Some borrowers refinance only private loans while keeping federal loans intact. That preserves federal options on the federal portion while still lowering rate on private debt. If you consolidate federal loans into a private refinance, that conversion is irreversible—you cannot move them back to federal status.
How we calculate
We amortize each scenario with standard fixed-rate installment math: payment = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1], where P is principal, r is monthly rate, and n is months. Origination fees, if entered, are added to the amount financed. We do not model variable rates, co-signer release, or autopay discounts unless you adjust the quoted APR yourself.
Common mistakes
Chasing the lowest payment by extending term 5–10 years without comparing total interest.
Refinancing federal loans during a period when IDR or PSLF is still on the table.
Ignoring that a co-signer release or death benefit may differ on the new private note.
Assuming pre-qualification APR equals final underwriting APR after hard credit pull.
Forgetting to compare against aggressive extra payments on the current loan instead of refinancing.
Related US loan decisions
Student loan refinance is one piece of a household balance sheet. If you also carry a mortgage or auto lease, compare break-even framing across tools: use our mortgage refinance calculator for home debt and the car lease buyout calculator if you are deciding whether to buy out a lease versus accelerating loan payoff.
Nur, wenn die Ersparnis den Verlust staatlicher Sonderrechte rechtfertigt. Bei Umschulung öffentlicher Kredite in Privatkredite verfallen Sonderregelungen wie einkommensabhängige Stundungen oder Teilerlasse.
Wie beeinflusst eine Laufzeitänderung die Gesamtlast?
Längere Laufzeiten reduzieren zwar die Ratenbelastung, erhöhen jedoch die Summe aller gezahlten Zinsen drastisch. Kurze Laufzeiten sparen maximal Zinsen, verlangen aber ein hohes Budget.