If you have a private student loan you want to refinance, now is a great time to take action. Interest rates are at historic lows, and while they have been at this point for quite some time, recent economic indicators suggest interest rates will begin rising again this year. Knowing that, there’s no reason to delay in refinancing your private student loan to get a better interest rate and a smaller monthly payment. Over the long run, you’ll save hundreds, thousands, and maybe even tens of thousands of dollars.

To refinance a private student loan, the first step is usually to contact your lender. If you have a good history of making payments on time and a good credit score, many times you can work out a refinancing directly. This is the best and easiest way to go about it. However, the path of least resistance doesn’t always mean the best bang for your buck. It pays to shop around and see if you can’t get a better loan rate from another bank or private organization. The more institutions you contact, the more likely you are to be able to refinance your private student loan at a more favorable rate.