Juno Reviews: Private Student Loans and Student Loan Refinancing

Juno partners with private lenders to offer discounted student loans and student loan refinancing.

LeverEdge Reviews: Private Student Loans and Student Loan Refinancing

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Updated Aug 6, 2020 · 2 min read

Written by Ryan Lane

Assigning Editor

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Edited by Des Toups

Lead Assigning Editor

Fact Checked

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The bottom line: Juno negotiates special pricing with lenders. It’s best for students who can qualify with a participating lender and will save money by using this service.


Product	Special pricing on private student loans and student loan refinancing.
Cost	Free.
Discount	Earnest undergraduate student loans: Set discount not disclosed. Earnest graduate student loans: Rates lowered from 0.8 to 4 percentage points. Student loan refinancing: Up to $1,000 cash back by using Earnest; up to $800 cash back with First Republic; up to $600 cash back with Splash Financial; 0.25 percentage point discount for health professionals with Laurel Road.
Loan terms	Vary by lender.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Potential interest rate reductions available.
Minimum income requirement removed for Earnest graduate loans.
Cash-back bonus available for some refinance products.

Cons

You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get via Juno.
Few lenders to choose from.
Participating lenders may not offer features you want.

Full Review

Juno began in 2018, under the name LeverEdge, as a way to negotiate lower rates on private graduate student loans. Interested students signed up with Juno, and the company shopped exclusive access to its financing group in exchange for a break in pricing.

Juno now works with multiple lenders across multiple products. It currently offers special pricing from:

Earnest: for undergraduate loans, graduate loans and student loan refinancing.
First Republic: for student loan refinancing.
Laurel Road: for student loan refinancing.
Splash Financial: for student loan refinancing.

To unlock those discounts, you need to sign up for a free Juno membership.

Juno is similar to other sites that match borrowers with student loan providers, including Credible and NerdWallet. But unlike those options, you can’t prequalify with Juno. You need to provide information on Juno's website as well as a lender’s website before finding out if you’re eligible for a loan.

The trade-off is a potentially better price, but you may get a lower rate from a lender not on Juno's platform. Compare multiple offers before using Juno. If their partner does have the best deal, research the lender that will fund the loan to ensure it has all the features you want — for instance, Earnest doesn’t offer co-signer release.

Juno private student loans review

Juno members have access to undergraduate and graduate student loans from the private lender Earnest. Juno doesn’t publicly disclose the discount its undergraduate members receive, but says it is a set amount.

Grad student interest rate discounts can be anywhere from 0.8 to 4 percentage points. Juno says Earnest caps its members’ rates at 6.21% to match the overall costs (interest and fees) of a federal graduate PLUS loan. But don’t borrow a private loan if it won’t be less expensive than what the government offers.

If you don’t qualify for federal loans or a private loan will save you money, using Juno can make sense — even if your rate slides down by less than 1 percentage point. For example, on a $20,000 student loan, reducing your interest rate from 5% to 4.2% would only decrease your monthly payments by roughly $8, but you’d cut your interest costs by more than $900 over 10 years.

Eligibility criteria is largely the same for borrowers who use Juno and those who don’t. One notable difference is that Juno members don’t need to meet Earnest’s minimum income requirements for graduate student loans. That may help you qualify if you don’t have an eligible co-signer. Undergraduate students must meet Earnest’s standard underwriting criteria.

Compare private student loans


NerdWallet rating	NerdWallet rating	NerdWallet rating
Check Rate	Check Rate	Check Rate
Fixed APR 3.69-16.49% Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.94% APR to 16.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.87% APR to 17.10% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.	Fixed APR 3.49-15.49% Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.	Fixed APR 3.59-17.99% College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Variable APR 5.62-16.85% Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.94% APR to 16.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.87% APR to 17.10% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.	Variable APR 4.92-15.08% Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.	Variable APR 5.34-17.99% College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Min. credit score 650	Min. credit score Mid-600's	Min. credit score Mid-600s

Juno student loan refinancing review

Juno has partnerships with multiple student loan refinancing companies. Discounts vary by partner, with Earnest, First Republic and Splash Financial offering cash-back bonuses. As with other student loan refinance bonuses, don’t opt for a more expensive loan overall in exchange for upfront savings. Compare lenders to get the best offer possible.

Juno members who are health professionals can get a 0.25 percentage point discount from Laurel Road. That rate reduction is on top of Laurel Road’s special pricing for physicians, dentists, nurses and physician assistants, making Juno a good add-on for health professionals who already planned to refinance with Laurel Road.

Learn more about Juno partners


NerdWallet rating	NerdWallet rating
Check Rate	Check Rate
Fixed APR 3.95-9.74% Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.20% APR to 9.99% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 6.14% APR to 9.99% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan refinance loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. The maximum rate for your loan is 8.95% if your loan term is 10 years or less. For loan terms of more than 10 years to 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 9.95%. For loan terms over 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 11.95%. Please note, we are not able to offer variable rate loans in AK, IL, MN, NH, OH, TN, and TX. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account.	Fixed APR 4.99-8.90% Full Laurel Road Disclaimers. Rates as of 9/25/24, rates subject to change. Terms and Conditions Apply. All products subject to credit approval. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please note that if you refinance qualifying federal student loans with Laurel Road, you may no longer be eligible for certain federal benefits or programs and waive your right to future benefits or programs offered on those loans. Examples of benefits or programs you may not receive include, but are not limited to, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-driven Repayment plans, forbearance, or loan forgiveness. Please carefully consider your options when refinancing federal student loans and consult http://studentaid.gov/ for the most current information. Laurel Road is a brand of KeyBank National Association. All products offered by KeyBank N.A. ©2024 STUDENT LOANS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED OR GUARANTEED. KeyCorp® All Rights Reserved. Laurel Road is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. 3 Corporate Drive, 4th fl, Shelton, CT 06484.
Variable APR 5.89-9.74% Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 4.20% APR to 9.99% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 6.14% APR to 9.99% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan refinance loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. The maximum rate for your loan is 8.95% if your loan term is 10 years or less. For loan terms of more than 10 years to 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 9.95%. For loan terms over 15 years, the interest rate will never exceed 11.95%. Please note, we are not able to offer variable rate loans in AK, IL, MN, NH, OH, TN, and TX. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account.	Variable APR 5.29-9.20% Full Laurel Road Disclaimers. Rates as of 9/25/24, rates subject to change. Terms and Conditions Apply. All products subject to credit approval. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please note that if you refinance qualifying federal student loans with Laurel Road, you may no longer be eligible for certain federal benefits or programs and waive your right to future benefits or programs offered on those loans. Examples of benefits or programs you may not receive include, but are not limited to, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-driven Repayment plans, forbearance, or loan forgiveness. Please carefully consider your options when refinancing federal student loans and consult http://studentaid.gov/ for the most current information. Laurel Road is a brand of KeyBank National Association. All products offered by KeyBank N.A. ©2024 STUDENT LOANS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED OR GUARANTEED. KeyCorp® All Rights Reserved. Laurel Road is a federally registered service mark of KeyCorp. 3 Corporate Drive, 4th fl, Shelton, CT 06484.
Min. credit score 650	Min. credit score 680

» MORE: Best medical school student loan refinance options

Before applying for a Juno student loan

Before taking out any private student loan, exhaust your federal student loan options first. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to apply.

Compare private student loan and student loan refinance options to make sure you’re getting the best rate you qualify for. In addition to interest rates, look at lenders’ repayment alternatives and the flexibility they offer to borrowers who struggle to make payments.

If you aren’t eligible for a Juno student loan

If Juno's partner lender denies your student loan application, it will let you know why. Depending on the reason, you may want to consider other lenders or, if you haven’t already, try applying with a co-signer.

If you’re interested in an undergraduate or graduate loan and don’t have access to a co-signer — or still aren’t eligible with one — consider lenders that don’t require co-signers or specialize in bad or no credit student loans.

If you’re looking to refinance, NerdWallet recommends prequalifying with multiple lenders before you apply. This will let you know which lenders you may be eligible with, without affecting your credit.