 TITLE: Is Now a Good Time to Refinance Your Student Loans? CONTENT: How to Apply for Private Student Loan Refinancing\n-------------------------------------------------\nIf you are considering refinancing, know that your credit score is an important factor private lenders consider to determine if you qualify and at what interest rate. The higher your credit score, the better the interest rate you can potentially obtain, which can lead to greater overall savings.\nIf your credit score is less-than-perfect, applying with a cosigner could help you secure a better rate. Your cosigner may not have to stick around on the loan forever, either. Some lenders offer cosigner release if you make a certain number of payments and meet other credit criteria.\nMost private lenders have an easy online application process. You may even be able to prequalify beforehand to check rates without a hard inquiry that can damage your credit scores. Then you can complete the full application if you like one of the offers. Once approved, funds are disbursed to pay off your old loans, and you start making payments to the new lender. END