Dental school is a considerable investment. Of course, you have to worry about tuition, but you also have to think about your living expenses and other associated costs. When it’s time to start paying back your loans, the bills can be daunting. That’s where refinancing comes in. This article will discuss dental student loan refinancing and how it can help you get ahead financially.
What is refinancing, and why would you want to do it for dental student loans specifically?
Refinancing is taking out a new loan to pay off one or more existing loans. The most common reason to refinance student loans is to get a lower interest rate, which can save you money over the life of your loan.
Dental school expenses are significant, and you likely have loans to pay. The American Dental Association (ADA) reveals that the average first-year dental school student can pay $39,662 for public education and $72,271 for private education.
Refinancing can be especially beneficial for dental students because it can help you consolidate multiple loans into one single payment each month. This can make repayment more accessible and more manageable after graduation. Additionally, refinancing at a lower interest rate could save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan.
Most borrowers refinance dental school loans to get a lower interest rate and pay less interest over the life of the loan. Here’s how it works. You owe $300,000 in dental school loans with a 6% interest rate and a 20-year term. If you can refinance to a 4% interest rate and 20 years, you’ll pay $79,524 less in total interest. Your monthly payment will also be $331 less.
How does refinancing work – what are the steps involved?
Refinancing your loans could be a good option if you’re looking to lower your monthly dental student loan payments or save money on interest. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to refinance your dental student loans:
First, research different lenders to compare rates and terms. Be sure to look at both online and brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions. It’s essential to reach a variety of lenders to find the best deal.
Next, fill out an application with the lender of your choice. You’ll likely need to provide some basic information about yourself and your financial situation.
Once you’re approved for refinancing, you’ll need to sign some paperwork and choose a repayment plan. Once that’s all set, your new lender will take over your loan payments, and you’ll start making payments to them instead.
The benefits of refinancing dental student loans?
The average dental student loan debt is $287,331. Refinancing your dental student loans can save you money in interest and help you pay off your debt faster.
When you refinance your dental student loans, you can choose a new loan term that works for you. A shorter loan term will mean higher monthly payments, but you’ll pay less interest. A longer loan term will mean lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more interest.
Private loans also usually have variable interest rates, which means your monthly payments could go up or down depending on the market.
If you’re struggling to make your monthly student loan payments, refinancing into a lower interest rate loan can help. A lower interest rate will mean lower monthly payments and less money spent on interest over the life of the loan.
You can also choose a new repayment plan when you refinance your dental student loans. The standard repayment plan is the most common, but if you struggle to make your monthly payments, an income-based repayment plan could be a better option.
How to compare lenders and find the best deal
When you’re looking to refinance your dental student loans, it’s important to compare lenders and find the best deal. There are a few things to consider when doing this:
The interest rate. This is probably the most crucial factor to consider when refinancing your loans. You want to find a loan with a lower interest rate than what you’re currently paying.
The repayment term. This is the length of time you have to repay the loan. A shorter repayment term will mean higher monthly payments, but you’ll pay less in interest. A longer repayment term will mean lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more in interest. Choose a repayment term that makes sense for your financial situation.
The risks associated with refinancing dental student loans
The risks of refinancing dental school loans are minimal. In most cases, you’ll save money by refinancing your loans. The key is to compare rates and terms from multiple lenders before deciding on a new loan.
Federal student loan borrowers should beware of private student loan consolidation companies that charge high fees. In addition, these companies often target borrowers struggling to make their monthly payments.
When you refinance your dental school loans, you may lose some available benefits with federal student loans. For example, you’ll no longer be eligible for income-based repayment plans or public service loans.
When is the right time to refinance dental student loans?
There’s no one answer to that question – it depends on your circumstances. However, a few general things to keep in mind may help you decide.
First, if you’re struggling to make your monthly payments, refinancing could give you some relief. By lowering your interest rate or extending your repayment term, you may be able to lower your monthly payment and make it more manageable.
Second, if you have good credit and want to save money over the life of your loan, refinancing at a lower interest rate could be a good option. Even if your monthly payment doesn’t change, you’ll save money in the long run by paying less interest overall.
Refinancing your loans may make sense if you have private student loans, are not eligible for federal forgiveness programs (like PSLF) or are looking to reduce the cost of your loan.
Dentists can refinance dental school loans during residency or wait until they’re employed full-time. But don’t do either if Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment will make sense for your career — refinanced loans aren’t eligible for those programs.
Finally, keep in mind that you’re taking on a new loan with new terms any time you refinance. That means it’s essential to compare offers from multiple lenders and choose the best one for you.
In conclusion
Whether or not refinancing your dental student loans makes sense for you depends on various factors. Therefore, it’s essential to research and compare offers from multiple lenders before deciding.
