U-fi Student Loans Review

U-fi accepts borrowers with credit scores low as 640. Learn about student loans, repayments, refinancing, loan discharge, discount, forbearance, and more.

Updated by Kirtika Acharya on 11th September 2020

U-Fi is a registered trademark of Nelnet for all the products and services offered by Nelnet. In this article, we will discuss what a borrower can expect from U-fi student loans.

U-fi Student Loans is best suited for borrowers with a co-signer and wants flexibility on payments in the future. U-Fi is an organization that offers private student loans and student loan refinancing options to graduate & undergraduate students. U-fi offers private student and refinancing student loans in 49 states. The lender specializes in offering flexible repayment options. 

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U-fi student loan reviews

The student loans are offered to ease the borrowers from the burden of debt. The refinancing options offered by U-fi is also done easily. With more options like a release from a co-signer, good grade discounts, and cash backs make it more friendly for borrowers. 

U-fi accepts applicants with credit scores as low as 640 if they apply with a co-signer who has a score of at least 680. It also offers longer-than-average forbearance periods, allowing borrowers to postpone payments for up to 24 months throughout their loan term.

U-fi has a partnership between veteran student loan servicer Nelnet and Union Bank and trust companies.

U-fi refinancing review

At a glance, these are the basic terms of refinancing with U-fi.

Features
Description
Interest Rates
Fixed - 3.49% to 5.32%, Variable - 2.43% to 6.1%, autopay discount of 0.25%
Term of loan
5,10,15 or 20 years
Amount of loan
$5,000 to $225,000
Cosigner release Yes

When refinancing it is common to get a co-signer on board to strengthen your application to help qualify for a lower interest rate. Once you do get a co-signer on board it is important to have a release option so that during the repayment journey the co-signers credit score is not affected based on the payments to be made. For those looking to refinance with U-fi, you have the liberty of availing the cosigner release option.

Pros and Cons of U-Fi student loans

Since Ufi provides multiple facilities for the users, you can carefully weigh your options and decide if it is good for you. With the pros and cons listed below a borrower can get an overall idea of what is in store when you choose U-fi as your lender - 

Pros Cons
Longer loan term of 25 years is being offered No Parents loans and forbearance
Automatic payments have discount rates Minimum credit score not disclosed
Full loan or only interest while in school payments are accepted customer support compared to be average
  Service not available in Vermont

 

 

Requirements for U-fi student loans

To avail the U-fi services following are the conditions:

  • A Minimum credit score of 680

  • A Minimum income $36,000

  • A Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signer - Not disclosed

  • A Typical income of approved borrowers - Not disclosed

  • The maximum debt-to-income ratio is 45%

  • Can qualify if you’ve filed for bankruptcy - Yes, after 7 years

  •  Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or apply with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • Must have graduated - No

  • Must have attended a school authorized to receive federal aid - No

  • Percentage of borrowers who have a cosigner - Not disclosed

Features of U-fi student loans

U-Fi student loans work based on a few parameters to attract borrowers. Their simple & accessible way of working helps them attain good customer satisfaction.

Following are the features offered by U-Fi-

  • The outstanding quality of U-fi is their ability to provide good repayment options to their customers

  • No origination fee

  • Shorter cosigner release

U-fi student loan options

U-Fi offers the following loan options - 

  • Undergraduate loans

  • Graduate loans

  • Refinancing of student loans

These loans aim to provide students in getting stability with their career and even in work life. U-Fi follows a simple application process, where basic information like name, address, government-issued ID proof, date of birth, social security number, employer’s name, contact details and annual income (gross) has to be provided. 

Loan terms, fees & discount

The loan rates for both graduate or undergraduate students are fixed with a predefined set range. For undergraduates, the loan lies from $1,000 to $125,000 and graduate loans lie from $1,000 to $225,000 depending on the type of degree.

When they talk about refinancing, it ranges from $5,000 and goes up to $225,000 again depending on the type of degree

The term for repayment plans is like 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years which are offered by the lenders. Also, they don’t charge any origination fees and prepayment penalties. A  0.25% discount is offered when the borrower opts for Autopay.

Forbearance and Discharge

If the borrower is dead and the lender confirms the information then the entire loan is discharged. In the case of a cosigner, if the same situation occurs then the borrower will solely be liable for the debt against the loan.

Releasing a loan is also offered by U-Fi only after making 24 consecutive on-time payments and other requirements of the lender.

Interests rates, fees, and other terms

A borrower can expect the following terms with U-fi - 

  • Soft credit check to qualify and see what rate you’ll get: No

  • Loan terms: 5, 10, 15 or 20 years & 25-year terms available for variable-rate loans

  • Loan amounts: $5,000 – $225,000

  • Can transfer a parent loan to the child: No

  • Application or origination fee: No

  • Prepayment penalty: No

  • Late fees: Yes; a fee equal to 5% of the late payment or $10, whichever is less, applies after a payment is 15 days late


                                           Worried about your college tuition? Learn more about Best student loans


The application process for U-fi refinancing

The application process for U-fi refinancing is relatively simple and can be divided into three steps. Which describes that you can complete the whole process in a single sitting if you are having all the required documents for completing the online application. The requirements are needed to be handy are as follows 

  1. Personal contact information

  2. Home address, Social Security number, and other information to verify your identity

  3. Proof of income, including employment information

  4. The specifics of your loan, including your current servicer, interest rate, and outstanding balance

Then after choosing  “Get My Rate,” you will get an estimation of refinancing the loan and the best part is your credit score will not be impacted. Then lastly, accepting the loan offer and proceeding with loan refinancing. The application process is step by step and today the online platforms make it more easier and convenient for the borrowers.


Student loan repayment options with U-fi

Student loan repayment is one of the most important phases for a borrower if this phase is handled properly one can expect to increase their credit score and improve their credibility as a borrower.

During the repayment of your student loans, a borrower can expect the following

  • Academic deferment - Yes, borrowers can postpone payments if they return to school

  • Military deferment - Yes, borrowers can postpone payments while serving in the military

  • Forbearance: Yes, borrowers experiencing an economic hardship can postpone payments for up to 24 months throughout the life of the loan

  • Natural disaster forbearance - Borrowers can postpone payments if they’re involved in a natural disaster

  • Co-signer release available -Yes

  • Death or disability discharge available -Yes

If the borrowers are looking for refinancing with U-Fi, they can directly apply on the website. But it is always said to have a complete check with various other options available.

U-Fi Repayment Terms

 To start making payments while still in-school, U-Fi offers three kinds of repayment options-

  • Full payment (interest and principal) while in school

  • Interest can be paid in school and 6 months grace period after graduation or falling below half time status

  • Up to 78 months deferred repayments can be made while in school at least half time plus a six months grace period


U-fi customer service

One of the most overlooked features during the selection of a lender is customer service. It is this feature that helps a borrower maintain a peace of mind, Here is what a  borrower can expect with U-fi -

  • Availability of in-house customer service team

  • Complaints are handled by U-fi’s customer service team

  • Borrowers get assigned a dedicated banker, advisor, or representative - No

  • The average time from approval to payoff is 48 hours after the initiation date the funds get disbursed for payoffs

Though it is not rated by the Better Business Bureau, it has a  rating of A+ by its parent company as a sign of its remarkable work. Also, there are no complaints registered under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2018 which is a positive sign towards it.

Contact Details

You can get in touch with U-Fi using the following ways mentioned below - 

Phone - 844-307-3451

Email - support@U-fi.com

Address

121 S 13th St. Lincoln

NE - 68508

Website - https://www.ufi.org/

Looking for ways to help cover your tuition can feel overwhelming at times because of the abundance of options out there. It is crucial to be well aware of all the options available to you before making a decision.