In order to refinance an existing mortgage, a homeowner procures a new
mortgage at current market interest rates and uses it to pay off the
existing mortgage.  Are there any lenders that offer a similar
solution for refinancing student loans?  Please supply contact
information, including a way to access current lending terms, for at
least two such lenders.

I am aware that it is possible to consolidate existing student loans,
but the consolidation opportunities of which I am aware result in a
new student loan whose interest rate is a weighted average of the
interest rates of the original loans, not a market interest rate. 
Identifying consolidation opportunities of this sort will not
constitute an answer.

Hello mostcurious,

I searched high and low, found a few references to refinancing student
loans, but only one type, a HEAL student loan, which I have never
heard of. If you're interested in this let me know and I'll claim the
answer, but otherwise I could find only consolidation plans. I didn't
feel right about taking your answer with only that, but seeing as no
other researchers have had much to say, that may be your answer.

Good luck!

--mosquitohawk-ga

mosquitohawk-ga,

Unfortunately, none of the loans in question are Health Education Assistance Loans.

Do your loans have variable interest rates? You say you are aware of
consolidation opportunities, but I wanted to make sure you know that
if your loans have variable interest rates (most student loans do),
the interest rates of the original loans are, in essence, market
interest rates--that is to say, it should be different now from what
it was when you took out the loan because the rates change yearly.
Rates are particularly low right now and will probably go even lower
July 1, so depending on your situation, locking in that rate with
consolidation may be a good bet.

see for example
http://www.slccloans.com/
http://www.studentloanconsolidator.com/

Sorry if this was already obvious to you.

microme-ga,

Thanks for your comment.  Unfortunately, one of myloans is fixed at a
pretty high rate.  It's this loan I'm hoping to refinance.

I applied to my bank here in Canada for a consolidation loan and paid
off my student loans with that. It wasn't considered refinancing,
however, it was considered a consolidation loan proper. I also paid
off a handful of small credit cards and my car loan at the same time,
with the same loan.

Perhaps that is an option through your regular bank? 

I know some student loans in other countries are locked in, but it
might be worth paying the penalty to get out from under a heavy
interest rate?

mostcurious, you are right about the fine print at the bottom of the
page. My mistake, I did not see it. Also, I kept hearing (in my mind)
the  piece on NPR that said you would get a 4% rate of interest with
this consolidation loan. IF Sally Mae also gives you a weighted
average, then why advertise the "savings". What savings? I will  check
furthur.

crabcakes-ga,

Thanks for your persistence.