Federal Student Loan Consolidation Facts To Consider

Federal Student Loans are easier to pay and brings less long term hassle and panic if these debts are converted into Federal Student Loan Consolidation. Consolidating your loan means that all the different types of student loans you acquired will be combined in one loan.

Since federal student loan interest rates are currently at their lowest, loan consolidation actually means that the interest rate used for the whole duration of your loan is fixed.

However, there are also disadvantages when one avails student loan consolidations. You will be able to pay the student loan off faster than when you did not consolidate your loans.

One category you could take into consideration regarding federal student loans is availing of the FFEL consolidation loan. This loan program helps any borrower via multiple repayment schedules. Through the FFEL loan consolidation program, only one payment is made each month.

Again, refinancing student loans depends on the borrower. The United States Department of Education does not in any way allow any borrower to refinance a student loan consolidation. But if in case a borrower has an additional federal loan that is not originally included in the loan consolidation, these debts may then be added and calculated again into a another federal consolidation loan.

So now that the details and advantages have been outlined, the following is a basic list of some student loans that are eligible to be consolidated:

PERK - Federal Perkins Loans, formerly Nations Defense/National Direct Student Loans (NDSL), PLUS - Federal PLUS (Parent) Loans, SCON - Subsidized Federal Consolidation Loans, UCON- Unsubsidized Federal Consolidation Loans, SLS - Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (formerly Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students (ALAS) and Student PLUS Loans), SS - Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans & Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL), DSS - Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, DUS - Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, DPLUS - Direct PLUS Loans, DUCON - Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loan, including Direct PLUS Consolidation Loans.

WHAT IS STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION

Student Loan Consolidation is the process of combining all of your student loans into a single new loan with one repayment plan issued by one lender. The balances from all your previous student loans are paid off by the new loan. This allows you to pay only one loan instead of multiple loans.

The interest rate for the consolidated student loans is computed by averaging the interest rates of your current loans.

You can also consolidate your student loans with the loans of another person, such as your spouse. However, this is not advisable. This is because if you need deferment, both of you have to meet the necessary criteria. Also, you will still have to repay the loan even if you separate or divorce.

Most federal loans, such as FFELP and FISL loans, can be consolidated. Some private loans can also be consolidated. Various banks and student loan lenders typically offer loan consolidation options. You can also go directly to the Department of Education to consolidate. Both students and their parents can avail of loan consolidation.

Student Loan Consolidation Is A Simple Process

Students on average, borrow around $10,000 in loans. Student loan consolidation gives you many benefits. Most payment plans for student loan consolidations are flexible. There is no payment fee required to have you student loans consolidated. The procedure of applying for a student loan consolidation is very simple.

Applicants for student loan consolidation would have to continue paying for their existing loans while they are still waiting for their applications to get processed. Students can even apply online.

Students can always seek out the assistance of a loan councilor to get the advice and evaluation of a loan expert. Student loan consolidation is a great payment plan that helps individuals pay for their educational loans. Student loan consolidation just might be the solution to your financial problem.