Qualifying to refinance student loan debt can depend on a number of factors including your credit and earnings history, credit report, the school you graduated from, your degree, and the size of the loan you want to refinance.

Credible’s data show the most common reason borrowers are turned down for refinancing is not their credit score, but excessive debt-to-income ratio, or “DTI.” If you have a limited or poor credit history, there are proven steps you can take to improve it.

Adding a creditworthy cosigner can improve your chances of prequalifying for a loan. The Credible marketplace allows you to request rates with a number of different cosigners, so you can see which helps you prequalify with the best rates. Many lenders offer cosigner release once borrowers have made a minimum number of on-time payments and can demonstrate they are ready to assume full responsibility for repayment of the loan on their own.