I am looking for a student loan refinancing that allows co-signer release and does not have origination fees.

Yes. Based on the current lender information I found, there are several student-loan refinance lenders that combine no origination fees with a path to removing a co-signer.

1. College Ave — probably the closest match

College Ave's refinance product has no origination or application fees.

It also has a formal co-signer-release process. The current requirements include:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Half of the original repayment term must have elapsed.
• Your documented annual income must be at least 2× the outstanding loan balance.
• You must pass a credit review.
• No 30+ day delinquency in the previous 12 months, and no recent bankruptcy, foreclosure, or repossession.

The big drawback is the long waiting period. For example, on a 10-year loan, you generally aren't eligible until halfway through the repayment term.

2. ELFI — good if the goal is getting the co-signer off

ELFI explicitly says it charges no application fees, origination fees, or prepayment penalties.

Rather than waiting for a formal co-signer release, you can refinance the existing loan into your own name, which pays off the old loan and releases the old co-signer from that obligation.

ELFI currently lists requirements including a 680 minimum credit score, $35,000 minimum income, 36 months of credit history, and a bachelor's degree or higher.

This could be particularly attractive if you want the co-signer removed now, rather than waiting several years for a formal release.

3. Citizens — another strong formal-release option

Citizens allows borrowers to apply for co-signer release after entering full principal-and-interest repayment and meeting its credit/eligibility requirements. Applications can be submitted once every 12 months.

Citizens also says its Education Refinance Loan has no application, origination, or disbursement fees.

One important distinction: Citizens' Parent Education Refinance Loan does not offer co-signer release, so you'd want the regular Education Refinance Loan if this feature is essential.

What I'd prioritize

If your requirements are strictly:

1. Refinance student loans 2. No origination fee 3. Start with a co-signer 4. Eventually remove that co-signer

I'd compare College Ave, ELFI, and Citizens first.

If you tell me your approximate loan balance, current interest rate, credit score, annual income, whether the loans are federal/private, and whether you need the co-signer removed immediately or eventually, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 lenders and compare their current rates, eligibility, co-signer requirements, and repayment terms.

Finding a student loan refinancing lender that offers both a cosigner release and zero origination fees can narrow your options, as many major refinancing lenders have scaled back or eliminated cosigner release on refinanced debt.

Top options that charge no origination fees and feature a path to cosigner release include:

- **Origination Fee:** $0 (No application or origination fees).
- **Cosigner Release:** Available after making 48 consecutive, on-time monthly payments.
- **Details:** Offers a competitive automatic payment discount (0.50%). Note that you and your primary application must meet independent credit and income criteria when applying for the release.[](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-student-loans-with-fastest-co-signer-release/) [[1]](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-student-loans-with-fastest-co-signer-release/)[[2]](https://www.savingforcollege.com/private-student-loans/review/pnc-bank/undergraduate-loans)

- **Origination Fee:** $0 (No application or origination fees).
- **Cosigner Release:** Available, but with a stricter timeline—half of the original repayment term must elapse (e.g., 5 years into a 10-year term) alongside meeting income-to-loan balance rules and passing a credit review.
- **Details:** Highly customizable terms and a simple online application process with a soft credit check to view initial rates.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgqQ7BBSA8M&t=316) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgqQ7BBSA8M&t=316)[[2]](https://help.collegeave.com/hc/en-us/articles/5560603133079-Can-a-cosigner-be-released-from-a-loan)

- **Origination Fee:** $0 (No origination or application fees).
- **Cosigner Release:** Available through select community banks and credit unions partnered within the LendKey Marketplace.
- **Details:** Because LendKey connects you with non-profit credit unions and community banks, the exact rules for cosigner release (such as number of required on-time payments) will depend on the specific partner institution you are matched with.

Tip: Major refinancing players like SoFi do not offer cosigner release on student loan refinances (only on select in-school loans), while Earnest has limited historical options for releasing a cosigner. Always double-check the fine print of the specific credit union or bank offer before signing, as underwriting guidelines can change.

If you want to narrow this down further, let me know:

• What is your approximate credit score (and your cosigner's)?
• Are you trying to refinance federal or private student loans?

I can help you check which lender or marketplace fits your financial profile best.

Several reputable student loan refinancing lenders offer no origination fees and feature a co-signer release option.

Most major private refinancing lenders charge $0 for application, origination, and prepayment penalties , but finding one that explicitly allows you to release a co-signer later down the road requires checking specific lender policies (as many standard refinances require you to apply for a brand-new solo loan instead).

Top Student Loan Refinancing Options

Note: While lenders like SoFi and Earnest traditionally focus heavily on refinancing without fees, their standard process for removing a co-signer usually involves re-refinancing the debt entirely into a new solo loan rather than a direct "co-signer release" clause on the active contract.

What to Check Before Applying

1. Credit & Income Requirements: To execute a co-signer release later, you will have to prove your own independent financial stability, sufficient income, and strong credit score.
2. On-Time Payment Track Record: Lenders that allow release generally require a strict streak of consecutive, on-time payments (ranging from 12 to 48 months) before you can apply to remove the co-signer.
3. Loss of Federal Benefits: If your current loans are federal, refinancing them with any private lender means permanently losing federal protections like income-driven repayment or potential federal forgiveness.

If you can share:

• Whether your current loans are federal or private
• Your approximate credit score range

I can help narrow down which of these lenders will give you the best estimated rates.

Yes. I checked current lender information, and RISLA appears to be the strongest match if you specifically mean refinancing an existing student loan with a co-signer, then releasing that co-signer later.

Best matches

RISLA: Its current FAQ explicitly says there are no application, origination, disbursement, or late fees on refinance loans, and that borrowers can apply for co-signer release after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments.

Earnest: Current 2026 comparisons list no origination fee and a co-signer-release option after 12 consecutive on-time principal-and-interest payments. NerdWallet Forbes I'd verify the specific release terms offered on your application, since eligibility can depend on the loan.

SoFi has no origination fees, but specifically says it does not offer co-signer release for refinanced student loans, so I'd eliminate it based on your requirement.

ELFI is also no-fee, but explicitly says it does not offer co-signer releases on student loan refinancing.

My shortlist

If your two non-negotiables are:

1. No origination fee, and
2. Ability to release the co-signer without refinancing again

I'd start with:

1. RISLA — strongest fit 2. Earnest — worth comparing

One important caveat: if you're refinancing federal student loans, refinancing into a private loan generally means losing federal protections such as income-driven repayment and federal forgiveness programs.

If you tell me your approximate loan balance, credit score, income, current interest rate, degree, and whether your existing loan is federal or private, I can compare RISLA vs. Earnest and identify which is likely to give you the better deal.

SoFi has no origination fees, but specifically says it does not offer co-signer release for refinanced student loans, so I'd eliminate it based on your requirement.

ELFI is also no-fee, but explicitly says it does not offer co-signer releases on student loan refinancing.

My shortlist

Yes. I found two strong matches for your requirements: no origination fee + a formal co-signer release option.

1. RISLA — probably your best match

RISLA explicitly says its refinance loans have no application, origination, disbursement, or late fees. It also offers co-signer release after at least 24 months of consecutive on-time payments, followed by an underwriting review to make sure you qualify independently.

One important limitation: RISLA's co-signer-release program isn't currently available to residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, or Washington, D.C.

2. EDvestinU

EDvestinU's refinance program advertises no upfront fees, no prepayment penalty, and co-signer release. It's a nonprofit lender and allows prequalification without affecting your credit score.

3. College Ave

College Ave has no application or origination fees on its refinance product. College Ave College Ave It also has a formal co-signer-release process. However, its requirements can be relatively demanding: half of the original repayment term must have elapsed, you generally need documented annual income of at least twice the outstanding balance, and you must pass a credit review.

One I'd eliminate: SoFi

Although SoFi has no application or origination fee, its current documentation specifically says it does not offer co-signer release for refinanced student loans.

My recommendation

If co-signer release is a hard requirement, I'd start with:

1. RISLA — strongest combination of $0 fees and a relatively clear 24-month release path.
2. EDvestinU — another $0-upfront-fee nonprofit option with co-signer release.
3. College Ave — legitimate alternative, but its release requirement can mean waiting substantially longer.

If you tell me your approximate loan balance, current interest rate, state, credit score, income, and whether the co-signer has excellent credit, I can narrow these down and compare the likely rates, repayment terms, and how quickly you could get the co-signer released.

RISLA explicitly says its refinance loans have no application, origination, disbursement, or late fees. It also offers co-signer release after at least 24 months of consecutive on-time payments, followed by an underwriting review to make sure you qualify independently.

One important limitation: RISLA's co-signer-release program isn't currently available to residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, or Washington, D.C.

2. EDvestinU

EDvestinU's refinance program advertises no upfront fees, no prepayment penalty, and co-signer release. It's a nonprofit lender and allows prequalification without affecting your credit score.

3. College Ave

College Ave has no application or origination fees on its refinance product. collegeave.com help.collegeave.com It also has a formal co-signer-release process. However, its requirements can be relatively demanding: half of the original repayment term must have elapsed, you generally need documented annual income of at least twice the outstanding balance, and you must pass a credit review.

One I'd eliminate: SoFi

Although SoFi has no application or origination fee, its current documentation specifically says it does not offer co-signer release for refinanced student loans.

My recommendation

If co-signer release is a hard requirement, I'd start with:

Finding a student loan refinancing lender that offers co-signer release and charges no origination fees narrows down the field quite a bit—many major refinancing companies (like SoFi) do not offer co-signer release at all.

The top-tier lenders that check both of your boxes, along with their specific co-signer release requirements, include:

1. PenFed Credit Union
   • Co-signer Release: Available after 12 consecutive on-time monthly payments.
   • Fees: $0 application, origination, or prepayment fees.
   • Note: You must become a member of PenFed, but membership is free and open to everyone.
2. Laurel Road (an online brand of KeyBank)
   • Co-signer Release: Available after 36 consecutive on-time monthly payments and meeting credit/income requirements.
   • Fees: $0 application or origination fees.
   • Note: Well-regarded for high loan limits and specialized options for healthcare professionals.
3. Citizens Bank
   • Co-signer Release: Available after 36 consecutive on-time monthly payments (note that interest-only periods do not count toward this tally).
   • Fees: $0 application or origination fees.
   • Note: Requires entering full principal-and-interest repayment to start the count for release.
4. LendKey (Marketplace)
   • Co-signer Release: Varies because LendKey matches you with community banks and credit unions , but many partner institutions offer release policies ranging from 12 to 36 months.
   • Fees: $0 application or origination fees through their network.
   • Note: Great for shopping around multiple credit unions with a single soft-credit check.

Tip: You can use comparison tools like Credible or LendKey to pre-qualify and check your rates across multiple lenders with a soft credit pull, which won't hurt your credit score.

To help narrow down which of these is your best match, tell me:

• Are you looking to refinance federal, private, or both types of loans?
• What is your estimated credit score range?

Yes. Based on current lender disclosures, Citizens Bank is the clearest match for exactly what you're looking for: a student-loan refinance that permits a co-signer and later allows co-signer release, with no origination fee.

1. Citizens — strongest fit

Citizens Financial Group's Education Refinance Loan specifically allows you to apply with a co-signer. After 36 consecutive on-time principal-and-interest payments, you can apply to have the co-signer released, provided you meet Citizens' credit and eligibility requirements.

The current Citizens disclosure also states “There is no origination fee” on the Education Refinance Loan.

Citizens also offers a rate quote that doesn't affect your credit score, so you can check your potential rate before committing to a full application.

2. Earnest — no fees, but important catch

Earnest explicitly says it charges no origination, application, prepayment, or late fees.

However, Earnest's current policy says it does not offer co-signer release for its refinance loans, with a narrow exception involving certain Connecticut loans. help.earnest.com So I would not put Earnest on your shortlist if eventual co-signer release is a firm requirement.

3. ELFI — similar issue

ELFI has no application or origination fees, but its own FAQ says it does not offer co-signer releases on student-loan refinancing. You'd have to refinance again to remove the co-signer.

One important distinction

If by "co-signer release" you mean you want to refinance with a co-signer now because it gets you a better rate, then have that person removed after you've established sufficient credit/income, Citizens is the one I'd investigate first.

Also, if you're refinancing federal student loans, be careful: moving them to a private refinance generally means giving up federal protections and programs such as income-driven repayment and federal forgiveness options.

If you give me your approximate loan balance, current interest rate, credit score range, annual income, and whether the loans are federal/private, I can compare the best current options for your situation and tell you which lenders are most likely to beat your existing rate.

When looking to refinance student loans with no origination fees and the ability to eventually release your co-signer , several reputable private lenders and platforms fit your criteria.

Top options that fulfill both requirements include:

• Citizens Bank : Offers an Education Refinance Loan featuring $0 origination, application, or disbursement fees . They allow a co-signer release request after you have made 36 consecutive, on-time monthly payments of principal and interest.
• LendKey : This digital platform connects you with non-profit credit unions and community banks. Loans sourced through LendKey carry no origination or application fees , and many of the partner credit unions on their network offer a co-signer release option (typically after 12 to 24 consecutive on-time payments , depending on the specific credit union's policies).
• EdvestinU : Known for refinancing with zero application or origination fees . They provide a co-signer release option after you have made 24 consecutive, on-time payments and meet their credit and income criteria on your own.

(Note: While popular refinancing lenders like SoFi and Earnest advertise no origination fees, SoFi does not offer co-signer release, and Earnest does not offer co-signer release for their refinancing products.)

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Your approximate credit score (or your co-signer's)
• Total loan balance you want to refinance

I can help you estimate your potential rates or decide between a traditional bank like Citizens or a credit union network like LendKey.

Finding a student loan refinancing lender that offers both a co-signer release and $0 origination fees can be tricky. Many major refinancing lenders (like SoFi or Earnest) do not offer a co-signer release on refinanced loans (though Earnest allows you to simply re-apply to refinance in your own name later as a workaround).

However, a couple of prominent credit unions and regional options do offer true co-signer release on refinanced loans with zero origination or application fees:

• Navy Federal Credit Union : Offers student loan refinancing (powered via LendKey) with no application or origination fees . They allow you to apply for a co-signer release after 12 consecutive, on-time principal and interest payments on a refinance loan, provided you pass a credit check and meet independent income requirements. (Note: Membership with Navy Federal is required for both the primary borrower and co-signer.)
• Brazos Higher Education : A Texas-based nonprofit student loan lender that provides refinancing with no origination or application fees and includes a co-signer release option . However, this option is strictly restricted to Texas residents and requires meeting high credit and income benchmarks.
• EdvestinU : Offers private student loan refinancing with no application, origination, or prepayment fees , and allows for a co-signer release after meeting specific consecutive on-time payment requirements (typically 24 months of on-time payments).

(Note: PenFed Credit Union previously offered direct student loan refinancing with a 12-month co-signer release and no fees, but they have since exited direct in-house student loan refinancing and now route applications through third-party marketplaces.)

To help narrow down the best path, could you share:

• Are you or your co-signer eligible for military-affiliated credit unions like Navy Federal?
• Roughly what is your credit score and annual income on your own?

I can give you a better idea of whether you'll qualify to refinance independently right now or if a lender with a formal co-signer release path is your safest bet.

Yes. I found several student-loan refinance options that meet your two key requirements: no origination fee and a path to releasing the co-signer.

My top picks

1. Brazos — particularly worth checking if you're a Texas resident.
Brazos has no origination or application fees and offers co-signer release after 12 consecutive on-time payments. It requires at least a 720 credit score and $60,000 income for the borrower without relying on a co-signer, although a co-signer can help you qualify.

2. 1st Advantage / LendKey
This is another strong match: no application or origination fees, with co-signer release after 12 months of on-time principal-and-interest payments. You must be a 1st Advantage FCU member, but membership can be obtained during the online application.

3. Earnest
Earnest advertises no origination, application, late, prepayment, or extra-payment fees. However, its current co-signer-release policy is more complicated: release is available only for certain loans/borrowers, so I wouldn't choose it solely on the assumption that release is guaranteed.

One important distinction: SoFi does not currently offer co-signer release on refinanced student loans, despite having no origination fees, so I would eliminate it based on your requirements.

If you give me your approximate loan balance, current interest rate, credit score, annual income, and whether you need a co-signer to qualify, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 lenders most likely to give you the best deal and compare their estimated payments.