---
title: "What Is Student loan refinancing? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "Student loan refinancing means replacing existing student loans with a new private loan, usually to change the interest rate or term, and it can end federal loan..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/student-loan-refinancing
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Finance and valuation

# Student loan refinancing

Student loan refinancing means replacing existing student loans with a new private loan, usually to change the interest rate or term, and it can end federal loan protections.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that refinancing existing private student loans can get a borrower into a new private loan at a lower interest rate, especially when rates are low. It also warns that if you refinance a federal loan with a new private student loan, you will no longer be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs. This tradeoff matters to many dentists with [dental school debt](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-school-debt). Federal loans carry benefits that private loans may not offer. Borrowers should compare total cost, the rate type and what they would give up, and may want a financial adviser's help. Debt levels also affect a [practice loan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-loan) application.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Dental school debt](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-school-debt)
-   [Practice loan](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-loan)
-   [Associate dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-dentist)
-   [Practice ownership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-ownership)

## Sources

1.  [CFPB, Should I consolidate or refinance my student loans?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/should-i-consolidate-refinance-student-loans-en-561/)
2.  [CFPB, Should I consolidate or refinance my student loans?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/should-i-consolidate-refinance-student-loans-en-561/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)