Private STUDENT LOANS CONSOLIDATION

Contrary to popular belief, private loans can be consolidated … Here is what you should know if you have them and are considering consolidation:

• DO NOT consolidate them with federal loans even if they provide the option.

• They can’t be consolidated until you’re out of school and beginning repayment.

• In most cases, consolidating private loans will leave you with a variable rate loan – it will not typically fix your loan rate [like federal consolidation].

• Keep in mind that the best option is often to leave them alone. How to know?

1) Look at the benefits of your current lender. There are only about ten lenders that will consolidate any private loans. Most companies require that you have loans with them to be eligible to consolidate with them. The amount will vary – some will require that you have one or more loans with them – some will require 50% or more of the consolidating amount be with that lender. Researching your lender is a good start …

2) Shop around. As mentioned, there are a few companies that don’t have stipulations in order to use their consolidation/refinance program. Here’s a published list - http://finaid.org/loans/privateconsolidation.phtml. The lender, not the government, dictates the interest rates provided [most are linked to the Prime Rate or LIBOR].


Private loan are credit-based loans [as is the refinancing/consolidation process]. If you had poor credit when getting the loan initially, consolidating them may make sense if you now have better credit and/or a co-signer with good credit. The difference in rate from poor to excellent credit can be as much as 6%+ with some lenders. If you had good credit from the beginning, consolidation is not likely to provide much benefit to you. There are distinct costs to weigh in the decision. All of the criteria used to assess the ‘utility’ of the original loans should be examined when evaluating consolidation options. See my alternative loan article on the OFS website - http://financialsuccess.missouri.edu/altloanselection.pdf - for more detailed information about ‘cost’ considerations such as fees, potential prepayment penalties, borrower benefits, etc.

Student Loan Consolidation: Consolidate Direct College Student Loans.

Student Loan Consolidation is a practical repayment tool that bundles all your federal student loans into one loan, significantly reducing your monthly payment. To calculate your monthly savings.
Consolidating your federal student loans can reduce your monthly payment up to 53% and simplify your finances by making one payment per month.
Our private student loans consolidation program offers interest rate reductions for on-time and automatic payments and there are no pre-payment penalties.
www.studentloanconsolidator.com

Student Loan Consolidation | ScholarPoint

ScholarPoint is a trusted resource for all of your education loan and student loan consolidation needs, dedicated to providing students and their families with the practical advice and student loan solutions they need to help pay for and manage the costs of higher education.
www.scholarpoint.com

Student Loans, Student Loan Consolidation - Consolidate College

Attention federal student loan borrowers! Right now you can lower your monthly payments as much as 60% and put that extra cash in your pocket with the Federal Student Loan Consolidation program.
www.nextstudent.com