Yes, we offer rate matching! If you’ve found a lower interest rate on a Student Loan from another lender, our Rate Match Program(1) may help you secure a comparable rate. If you’re looking for rate match details on a refinanced loan offer, check out this article.
To match a competitor's rate, you’ll need to submit an application and receive a loan offer from us. If you’re approved and have a qualifying offer from another lender, let our team know, and we can start the process of matching the offer. Below are important restrictions that apply:
- We can only match offers based on our terms: 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 years(2). While we aim to match offers based on these available terms, please note that other lenders may offer different term options that we may be unable to match.
- We’re unable to match rate estimate results or preliminary rate offers. You need to have a competitor's loan offer issued either 15 days prior to and/or within 30 days of an Earnest approval that has not already been disbursed.
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You must provide a screenshot or a copy of your loan approval disclosure from the other lender prior to accepting your Earnest loan offer and electronically signing your loan agreement. The document must legibly show:
- Your full name and your cosigner's name (if applicable).
- The competitor’s loan offer (loan approval disclosure).
- The document must have been issued within 15 days prior to the date your Earnest loan approval disclosure was issued, or up to 30 days after this date.
- The competitor’s approved term, loan amount, repayment option, and interest rate, excluding any discounts.
- If the loan is cosigned or primary-only.
- The approved loan amount from the other lender needs to be equal to or less than the amount the Earnest loan is approved for.
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The contractual interest rate must be shown (excluding any discounts for Auto Pay or good grades).
- The in-school repayment plan
If you have any questions or would like to start the process, please click the Get In Touch button at the bottom of this page.
Earnest Private Student Loans are subject to credit approval.
1 - To qualify for this Earnest Rate Match and Bonus offer: 1) you must submit a completed student loan application; 2) you must provide documentation of an eligible competitive rate offer exclusive of all discounts by calling Client Happiness at (888) 601-2801 or chat on Earnest.com and follow the instructions to send in your proof of lower rate; and 3) you must provide a valid email address during the application process. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Loyalty Discount. The bonus will be paid out in the form of a gift card to the primary borrower only (regardless of who submits the rate match). You will receive instructions on how to redeem the gift card via the email address you have provided. Limit one rate match bonus per application. A bonus cannot be issued to residents in KY, MA, MI or to applicants eligible for awards under other qualified programs.
Bonuses that are not redeemed within 180 calendar days of the date they were made available to the recipient may be subject to forfeit. Bonus amounts of $600 or greater in a single calendar year may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as miscellaneous income to the recipient on Form 1099-MISC in the year received as required by applicable law. Recipient is responsible for any applicable federal, state or local taxes associated with receiving the bonus offer; consult your tax advisor to determine applicable tax consequences. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Earnest may discontinue this program at any time.
2 - Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates are as of 9/4/2026 and without Auto Pay. Loan cost examples are based on a $10,000 loan with a 15 year/180 month term. For a variable rate loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. The variable interest rate is derived from the 30 day average SOFR index rate plus a margin. Changes in the 30 day average SOFR index rate may cause your monthly payment to increase or decrease. Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments.
For Interest-Only, Fixed $25, and Deferred payments, your actual repayment terms may vary. For Interest-Only, Fixed $25 and Deferred Payments, the calculations below assume that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period (for a total of 57 months).
Principal and Interest Payments: These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. A 17.10% annual percentage rate ("APR") variable interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $154.61 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,829.80. A 16.74% APR fixed interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $152.07 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,372.60.
Interest-Only Payments: These examples provide estimates based on interest-only payments while in school and the 9 month grace period. A 17.10% APR variable interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $154.61 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,952.30. During in-school and grace periods, the monthly interest-only payment will be $142.50. A 16.74% APR fixed interest rate loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $152.07 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,324.10. During in-school and grace periods, the monthly payment will be $139.50.
Fixed $25 Payments: These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school and during the 9 month grace period. A 17.10% variable interest rate (15.11% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $258.16 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,893.80. A 16.74% fixed interest rate (14.84% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $251.31 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $46,660.80. For both variable and fixed rate loans, the monthly payment will be $25 during in-school and grace periods.
Deferred Payments: These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. A 17.10% variable interest rate (14.85% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $280.20 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $50,436. A 16.74% fixed interest rate (14.58% APR) loan would have 15 years/180 monthly payments of $272.98 and would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,136.40.
Before applying for private student loans, it's best to maximize your other sources of financial aid first. It's recommended to use a 3-step approach to assembling the funds you need: 1) Look for funds you don't have to pay back, like scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities. 2) Next, fill out a FAFSA® form to apply for federal student loans. Federal student loans do not require a credit check or cosigner and offer various protections if you're struggling with payments. 3) Finally, consider a private student loan to cover any difference between your total cost of attendance and the amount not covered in steps 1 and 2. For more information, visit the Department of Education website at https://studentaid.ed.gov
Earnest Private Student Loans are made by FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. FinWise Bank, 756 East Winchester Street, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107.
Earnest student loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland, CA 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770).
FinWise Bank and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.