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Splash Financial Student Loans: 2025 Review

Updated on March 4, 2025

At a glance

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4.2
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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Repayment Options
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Affordability
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Customer Experience
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1

About Bankrate Score

Splash Financial was founded in 2013 when it created a marketplace of banks and credit unions to give more people student loan refinance options. While the lender's primary focus is on student loan refinancing, it also directs students needing new student loans to Earnest.

Lender Details

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Loan amount

Starting at $5,000

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APR from

4.29%-10.24% APR fixed; 4.86%-10.24% APR (with autopay) variable

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Term lengths

5 to 25 years

New vs. refinance student loans with Splash Financial

When it comes to student loans, Splash Financial gives borrowers access to multiple banks and credit unions that offer refinance loans. Qualified borrowers may be able to get a rate below 5 percent if they have at least $5,000 worth of loans to refinance. 

Splash doesn't provide a marketplace for new student loans. Instead, it directs customers to Earnest, giving students a wide variety of private student financing options for undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

Fixed APR Variable APR Dollar amount Term range
Refinance student loans 4.29% - 10.24% 4.86% - 10.24% with autopay Starting at $5,000 5 - 20 years
Medical student refinance loans 6.14% - 9.84% 6.14% - 9.84% with autopay Starting at $5,000 5 - 15 years

New private student loans

Splash doesn't offer new loans through its platform. Borrowers can check out rates using Earnest student loans using the link on the lender's website. 

Alternatively, you can shop for other student loan products by checking out their websites or reviewing multiple lenders at one on a student loan comparison site. 

Splash Financial student loan refinancing

Splash Financial offers two refinance options. The first is its standard refinance program that allows qualified borrowers to refinance private or student loans with fixed rates as low as 4.29% - 10.24% APR fixed; 4.86% - 10.24% APR variable (with autopay). Repayment terms are not published on its website and may vary depending on the lender's recommendations when you apply. 

Splash Financial doesn't charge origination or application fees, but students must provide proof of at least an associate degree to qualify for a loan through the lender's marketplace. Borrowers who are currently in a medical residency or fellowship may qualify for Splash Financial's medical student loan refinance programs. It also offers a minimum payment program for medical and dental residents. 

Where Splash Financial stands out

  • Low start rates for refinance loans. The lender's minimum rates are very competitive. Borrowers with strong credit and income who recently took out federal student loans of over 6 percent may shave more than a percentage point off of their rates with a Splash Financial refinance.
  • No origination fees. You'll be able to apply all the money you borrow to your refinance without having any deducted for lender fees.
  • Multiple refinances allowed. Splash Financial allows an unlimited number of refinance loans, as long as the borrower qualifies. This may be a benefit if you're in the process of repairing your credit. 

Where Splash Financial falls short

  • Loan terms not disclosed. The lender's website doesn't currently feature information about available loan terms through its partners.
  • No new undergrad or graduate loan options. Splash doesn't offer loan products for students to pay for ongoing education expenses.
  • No cosigners allowed on new loans. You'll need to qualify based on your credit scores and income only; cosigners are not allowed through any of Splash Financial's partners.

Splash Financial customer service

Borrowers can reach a Splash Financial representative by phone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. Existing customers can reach someone 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on weekdays as well.

Chat options are available 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET during weekdays. There are also customer service emails for general information and borrower support. 

How this lender compares

logo
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Bankrate Score
APR from
4.29%-10.24% APR fixed; 4.86%-10.24% APR (with autopay) variable
Loan Amount
Starting at $5,000
Min Credit Score
Not disclosed
logo
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
APR from
3.47% Fixed; 4.99% Variable (with autopay)
Loan Amount
$1,000 to total cost of attendance
Min Credit Score
650
logo
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Bankrate Score
APR from
3.54% Fixed; 4.64% Variable APR
Loan Amount
$1,000* to total cost of attendance (some states require a $5,000 minimum to borrow).
Min Credit Score
640

Splash Financial vs. Earnest

Earnest offers a limited window for customer service, while Splash Financial has a variety of different hours for phone, email and chat communications. You may also be able to refinance several times with Splash, while it's not clear whether you can refinance multiple times at Earnest. 

Earnest, however, has a much wider array of both new and refinance student loan products, with clearly displayed terms options on its website. Earnest also has competitive student loan relief options that Splash Financial doesn't offer. Just a reminder: Splash Financial refers customers looking for new loans to Earnest on its website. 

Splash Financial vs. SoFi

Minimum refinance rates are lower at Splash Financial, which means qualified borrowers may save significantly on their monthly payments and total interest charges versus refinancing with SoFi. Splash only offers refinance loan options, while SoFi offers a full range of both new and refinance student loan products. 

SoFi also clearly discloses available loan terms on its site – you'll have to wait for your pre-qualification to get available terms through Splash. You won't pay origination fees for refinance loans at either lender.

Do you qualify for a student loan with Splash Financial?

Because Splash Financial offers loans through a variety of different banks, individual requirements may vary. However, it posts the following requirements on its website:

  • A debt-to-income ratio of no more than 30 percent. That means approval isn't likely if more than 30 percent of your current income is spent on existing debt.
  • Proof of on-time payments. If your student loans are delinquent or you've been late in the past year or two, approval may not be possible.
  • Good to excellent credit with scores of 700 or higher preferred. You may be better off sticking with your federal student loans if your credit score is low. 

How to apply for a student loan with Splash Financial

The application process is entirely online.

  1. Fill out the application

    The lender's website guides applicants with questions and required information for a rate quote.

  2. Review rates

    You'll be offered a variety of rates from various lenders that partner with Splash Financial.

  3. Select the option that fits

    Consider using a student loan calculator if for some reason, all the available term payment options aren't displayed.

  4. Provide approval conditions and complete the refinance

    Lenders may require income documents like paystubs and W-2s to finalize your approval. 

How Bankrate rates Splash Financial

Overall score 4.2
Repayment options 4.3 Splash Financial doesn't specify its maximum loan amount, but it offers a large number of term options, a low minimum amount and nationwide coverage.
Affordability 4,2 Starting rates are competitive with no fees.
Customer experience 4.1 Splash offers a wide window for general questions, but more limited hours for existing customers and chat. It doesn't offer an app experience.

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted student loans industry expertise

48

years in business

15

lenders reviewed

13

loan features weighed

195

data points collected

The Bankrate team uses a 13-point system to evaluate student loan refinance products. This scoring criteria measures how lenders perform across three main categories.

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.

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