LendKey Student Loans: 2023 Review

Name: LendKey Student Loans
Item: LendKey
Rating: 4
Author: Hanneh Bareham

Written by

Hanneh Bareham

Edited by

Hannah Smith

Updated on Jan. 1, 2023

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At a glance

4.0

Bankrate Score

Repayment Options

3.6

Affordability

4.4

Customer Experience

4.0

LendKey, founded in 2009, is a digital lending marketplace that allows borrowers to compare multiple student loan offers at once. It matches anyone interested in refinancing student loans or paying for school with a private student loan with credit union and community bank lenders throughout the nation.

Loan amount Up to total cost of attendance

APR from 5.36% Variable; 4.89% Fixed

Term lengths 5 to 20 years

This lender is best for borrowers interested in an online platform that makes it easy to find student loans with competitive terms.

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LendKey features

LendKey originates and services all loans through its platform. But because loans are funded by its 300-plus partners, interest rates, loan amount limits and repayment options vary by lender and state. LendKey aims to partner only with lenders that offer very competitive rates and solid customer service.

LendKey’s student loan options include private student loans and student loan refinancing.

LendKey: in the details

Loan Amount

Private loans: Up to 100% of the cost of attendance | Refinancing loans: $5,000 to $300,000

APR from

Private loans: 5.36% to 10.37% Variable APR, 4.89% to 10.51% Fixed APR (with autopay) | Refinancing loans: 4.54% to 7.39% Variable APR, 4.49% to 10.68% Fixed APR (with autopay)

Term lengths

Refinancing loans: 5 to 20 years

Grace period

6 months

Repayment terms

Private loans: Not specified | Refinancing: 5 to 20 years

Loan types

Private, refinancing

Cosigner required?

Pros and cons of LendKey student loans

While LendKey can be a great resource to find a loan that works for you, there are some downsides. It’s important to be aware of both the pros and cons before applying for a loan with LendKey.

PROS

Simplified process: You’ll be matched with a reputable lender, making the research process a bit easier.
Co-signing options: Many private student loan lenders require you to add a co-signer. While LendKey requires a co-signer if you have insufficient annual income or a short credit history, you do have the option to apply without one if you have stable income and good credit.
No fees: LendKey does not charge any application fees or origination fees.

CONS

Loan refinancing limitations: Borrowers with undergraduate loans can refinance only up to $125,000 in student loans, which may not be enough if you attended an expensive private school.
Additional requirements: If LendKey matches you with a credit union lender, you may have to meet additional application requirements. Many credit unions require you to become a member of the credit union in order to borrow money.

LendKey student loan requirements

The specific student loan requirements will vary depending on the lender, but LendKey does have general student loan eligibility requirements. In order to qualify, students must:

Be enrolled at least half time in an eligible degree-granting program or school.
Be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
Be legally considered an adult in their state of residence.

Other eligibility requirements are set by LendKey’s 300-plus partners, which are made up of banks and credit unions, but the company will only match you with offers for which you are eligible.

Who is this loan good for?

LendKey is an especially good option for borrowers interested in taking some of the work out of loan comparison. The network allows you to easily compare multiple offers from hundreds of smaller lenders that offer competitive rates and great customer service.

It may also be a good lender for students looking to refinance, since its refinancing rates are low — starting at just 4.89 percent fixed APR.

Interest rates and terms

Variable- and fixed-rate loans are available through LendKey. LendKey also offers an autopay discount of 0.25 for all of its loans.

Here are the rate ranges for each loan product at LendKey, including the autopay discount:

Loan product	Variable rate	Fixed rate
Student loan refinancing	4.54% to 7.39% APR	4.49% to 10.68% APR
Private student loans	5.36% to 10.37% APR	4.89% to 10.51% APR

Fees and penalties

LendKey doesn’t charge application or origination fees on either of its loan products.

It doesn’t specify fee amounts for late payments or returned checks. The fees and penalties you could be charged depend on the lender you’re matched with.

Repayment terms and grace period

LendKey’s repayment period for its private student loans is 10 years, and its student loan refinancing products come with offers terms from five to 20 years. All private student loans come with a six-month grace period.

Customer service

LendKey gets an “A” rating from the Better Business Bureau. That score takes into account complaint history and the company’s response to those complaints.

For new student loans, contact customer.care@lendkey.com or call 888-549-9050. For current student loans, contact servicing@lendkey.com or call 888-966-9268. The customer service department is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

How to apply for a loan with LendKey

The application process through LendKey can be completed entirely online. After filling out your application, the company will match you with the best lender for your particular circumstances and needs.

Here’s what the process looks like when getting a refinance or student loan through LendKey:

Start the process online and select whether you’re refinancing or paying for school.
Fill out the application — including any required personal, loan and school information.
Compare offers and select a lender and rate from the marketplace.

During the application process, you’ll likely need to provide your government-issued ID, Social Security number, co-signer information and proof of income. You’ll also need information on your school if you’re seeking a private student loan and loan statements from your current servicer if you’re refinancing.

How Bankrate rates LendKey

Overall Score	3.6
Repayment Options	3.4	LendKey is scarce on details about its private loan repayment options. However, it does have high maximum loan amounts.
Affordability	3.4	LendKey offers low APRs, though added costs will vary based on the lenders you’re matched with.
Customer Experience	4.0	While LendKey has a decent online experience, its customer service hours are limited to weekdays.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.