LendKey Student Loan Refinancing review

LendKey connects borrowers with credit unions and community banks, which suits graduates who would rather owe a local institution than a large online lender. Its page lists fixed rates of 4.28% to 9.64% APR and variable rates of 4.56% to 9.91% APR, both including a 0.25% autopay discount, with terms from 5 to 20 years. The fixed ceiling is well below SoFi's 11.99% and Splash's 12.37%. LendKey is also unusually clear about eligibility: a bachelor's degree from an eligible school, a minimum credit score of 650, steady employment or a job offer, income of at least $24,000, US citizenship or permanent residence, and a loan above $5,000 in most states. Its lenders charge no origination fees, no application fees and no prepayment penalties. The catch is that a credit union lender may require you to open a share account and pay membership fees, and borrowers without a bachelor's degree do not qualify. Rate quotes take about 2 minutes and do not affect your credit score.

Who it is for

graduates who prefer a credit union or community bank lender

Price

No origination, application or prepayment fees; fixed 4.28% to 9.64% APR with autopay.

Our lenders charge no origination fees, no application fees, and no prepayment penalties
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Fixed rates of 4.28% to 9.64% APR and variable rates of 4.56% to 9.91% APR, including a 0.25% autopay discount
• Terms from 5 to 20 years, fixed or variable
• Lenders are credit unions and community banks
• Rate quote in about 2 minutes with no impact on credit score
• Refinances federal and private loans into one payment

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Top fixed rate of 9.64% APR is lower than SoFi's or Splash's
• Strength: Published eligibility: 650 minimum credit score and $24,000 minimum income
• Strength: No origination, application or prepayment fees
• Weakness: Requires a bachelor's degree from an eligible school
• Weakness: Credit union lenders may require opening a share account and paying membership fees
• Weakness: Minimum loan is higher in Arizona ($10,001), Connecticut ($50,001) and Massachusetts ($6,001)

Key facts

• Fixed APR: 4.28% to 9.64% with autopay
• Variable APR: 4.56% to 9.91% with autopay
• Terms: 5 to 20 years
• Minimum credit score: 650
• Minimum income: $24,000

Where it ranks

LendKey Student Loan Refinancing is No. 4 in our Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders verdict.