SoFi and Fannie Mae give homeowners a smart way to reduce student debt

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SoFi and Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) today announced a new loan option that enables homeowners to pay down student debt using equity in their homes.

With SoFi's new offering, the Student Loan Payoff ReFi, homeowners will have the ability to refinance mortgages at a lower rate and pay down the balance of an existing student loan. With its cash-out refinance student loan payoff plan, SoFi will pay down the student loan by disbursing payment directly to the servicer of the student debt. SoFi is a Fannie Mae approved seller servicer.

This loan option, available through SoFi, is designed to help homeowners that manage their own student debt or those who have co-signed loans, which often includes parents. An estimated 8.5 million households in the U.S. could potentially pay down or completely pay off their student debt obligations with this new option.

"People can pay off student loan debt and are left with one loan at the low rates that mortgage borrowers are enjoying in today's market," said Michael Tannenbaum, Senior Vice President of Mortgage at SoFi.

The Student Loan Payoff ReFi actively addresses a growing burden that impacts a wide range of households. According to Experian data, the average homeowner with outstanding cosigned student loans has a balance of $36,000 on those student loans, and those with outstanding Parent PLUS loans have $33,000 in student debt. Nearly 90 percent of private student loans made to undergraduates require a creditworthy cosigner, according to data compiled by Sallie Mae, and Private Parent PLUS loans carry a higher rate than the borrowing costs of most mortgages.

"The nation is seeing record-low mortgage rates and our partnership with SoFi is just one way that Fannie Mae is able to support current and future homeowners that have student debt," said Jonathan Lawless, Vice President for Product Development and Affordable Housing at Fannie Mae.

"Fannie Mae and SoFi are leaders in housing and student finance," said Tannenbaum, "And this option gives us an opportunity to both promote homeownership and relieve part of the country's student debt burden."

The offering is available to SoFi members and the public in states where SoFi has mortgage licenses beginning today.

About SoFi
SoFi is a new kind of finance company taking a radical approach to lending, wealth management and insurance. From unprecedented products and tools to faster service and open conversations, we're all about helping our members get ahead and find success. Whether they're looking to buy a home, save money on student loans, ascend in their careers, or invest in the future, the SoFi community works to empower our members to accomplish the goals they set and achieve financial greatness as a result. For more information, visit SoFi.com.

About Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of Americans. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for families across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit fanniemae.com and follow us on twitter.com/fanniemae.

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