First Tech Federal Credit Union is a member-owned credit union founded in 1952 and headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon. It serves residents in Lane County, Oregon, State of Oregon workers, as well as employees of more than 900 partner technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel.

Borrowers must first become credit union members to apply for refinancing. Refinance loans come with no application, origination, or prepayment fees, repayment terms of five, seven, 10, or 15 years, and the option to check rates through a soft credit inquiry.

First Tech offers a 90-day grace period and a Consumer Loan Payment Assistance program designed to help members facing temporary financial hardship maintain their loan in good standing.

• Loan terms: 5, 7, 10 or 15 years.
• Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000. The minimum loan amount varies across loan terms.
• Soft credit check offered: Yes.
• Allows you to transfer a parent loan to a child: Not publicly disclosed.
• Application or origination fee: None.
• Prepayment penalty: None.
• Late fees: Not publicly disclosed.

You’ll have to meet First Tech’s eligibility criteria to refinance your student loan. The company has various requirements for applicants to meet: 

• Loan servicer: Not publicly disclosed.
• Online chat support (Bot, live or both): Both. Members can access chat support by signing in on First Tech’s website, where they can connect with either a virtual assistant or a live representative.
• Physical location or branch: Yes.
• In-house customer service representatives: Yes. Borrowers can schedule in-person or virtual appointments and contact the support team by phone or email.
• FAQ experience: Available. First Tech answers over 25 questions regarding membership, eligibility, application and repayment.
• Provides borrowers a representative who works with them throughout the entire repayment process: Not publicly disclosed.
• Offers a process for making and escalating complaints: There is an online form on their Contact Us page intended for submitting suggestions, ideas, complaints, and comments.
• Has tools that allow applicants to calculate potential monthly payments: No. While First Tech offers calculators for auto loans, credit cards, and college savings, it does not provide a calculator specifically for student loan or refinance payments.
• Typical time from loan approval to funding: It typically takes a few business days for the team to review and approve a loan. 
• First Tech’s track record with customers:

First Tech Federal Credit Union has a score of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on over 2,200 reviews. Many positive reviews praise the credit union’s responsive customer service, and willingness to help with complex issues. A smaller number of users mention online platform and account issues or customer service frustration. Trustpilot reviews are not limited to First Tech’s student loan refinance product but also reflect the other services offered by the credit union.

First Tech Federal Credit Union has received 23 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints over the last 12 months.

Most complaints were related to account management issues, including problems opening or closing accounts, handling transactions or managing funds. A smaller number of complaints mentioned credit reporting inaccuracies, loan servicing concerns, or debt collection disputes.

These complaints were about First Tech’s other banking and lending services and not its student loan refinance product. Twenty-two complaints were closed with explanation, while one case remains in progress, indicating that nearly all complaints received a formal response or resolution.

Members can schedule free virtual and in-person consultations with First Tech finance experts. This is beneficial for member borrowers who want more specialized assistance.

1. Check membership eligibility. First Tech is a credit union, so you’ll need to meet membership requirements. This is typically done through employer affiliation, organization membership, or by joining a partner association.
2. Prequalify online. Start with First Tech’s prequalification process to see estimated rates and terms. This step helps you understand potential offers before submitting a full application.
3. Gather your financial information. Prepare details like your income, employment, credit history, and current loan balances. Having this ready can help streamline your application.
4. Submit your application. Complete the full application online. You may be asked to upload supporting documents, such as pay stubs or proof of graduation.
5. Review terms and finalize your loan. If approved, review your offered rate, repayment term, and any borrower protections. Once you accept, First Tech will pay off your existing loans and your new refinanced loan will begin.

Finly reviews student loan refinance lenders using a transparent, borrower-first methodology built around real financial outcomes. We evaluate lenders across six weighted categories—including cost, protections, flexibility and accessibility—using a structured scoring model grounded in what matters most to borrowers.

Our ratings are developed independently and regularly updated to reflect current rates, terms and lender policies, helping you compare options with clarity and confidence. Take a look at our Methodology page for an even more in-depth view of our scoring process.