Studying Student Loans Consolidation
by Mike Selvon
More students every year opt for student loans consolidation. This is not surprising, as consolidating loans has many benefits: a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan and the convenience of one lower payment a month instead of many payments.
For students struggling with multiple school loans, loan debt consolidation may be just what they need to help manage their finances.
Students in the United States will find their student loans are consolidated differently than other types of debt, such as credit card debt. Loans that come from the government, or federal loans, are 100% guaranteed by the U.S.
A federal loan is consolidated when a company that handles loan consolidation buys existing loans. The interest rate used for the consolidation is then determined by the year's student loan rate as of May of the current calendar year.
Those who look into student loans consolidation will discover a wide range of potential interest rates. These rates can be as low as 4.7% or as high as 8.25%. Keep an eye on the rise and fall of interest rates, and then act accordingly to strike when the rates are low. You will benefit by having an affordable rate in place during the entire length of repayment of your school loans.
Loan debt consolidation is not an endless road of opportunity. You are allowed to consolidate once with a private lender, and then once more with the Department of Education. You have one chance to get it right, so do your homework.
Be sure that you have researched all of the consolidation companies. Make it a priority to find the most reputable companies and the ones that offer the lowest rates.
People often refer to federal student loans consolidation as refinancing, but this is not entirely correct. With this form of loan debt consolidation, your loan rate will not change, regardless of how different your previous loans were.
It will merely be set at a fixed rate. Keep in mind that all of your previous loans will be weighed to find an interest rate that is appropriate in light of the current rate. As with all aspects of financial matters, there are a number of elements that will affect the rate at which your interest is compiled.
Those who are considering student loans consolidation should do their financial research, and keep in mind the positives and negatives of loan debt consolidation. Although a student's monthly payment will be lower, the length of the payments will be greater than if the student had not consolidated the loans.
Nonetheless, there are still many benefits to student loans consolidation, and it is a valuable and enticing option for the thousands of students struggling with student loans and debt.
แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Lower Monthly Payments แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Lower Monthly Payments แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 6 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2551
วันเสาร์ที่ 29 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2550
What You Should Know About Student Loans
What You Should Know About Student Loans
by Mike Selvon
If college were not so expensive, then many people would not need student loans to help them pay for expenditures. A student loan can help you pay for the things you must have, which scholarships and Federal grants do not cover.
Parents who have saved for your college education often have not saved enough to help cover every expense. Tuition, books, room and board quickly eat through savings and there is often nothing left over for the necessities, such as food and gas.
A college loan can be the way to help pay for college but there are several types of student loans available. The three main types are: Federally guaranteed loans, parent loans and private loans from a credit card company or bank.
Each has certain rules and repayment schedules, so it is important to thoroughly research the differences. You certainly do not want to have to worry about repaying the loan while you are attending school, if you can possibly avoid it.
If you are a student and need to take out an education loan, then you will want to make sure that your loan does not require repayment, as long as you are enrolled in school. Loans such as the Stafford Loan are guaranteed through the Federal government and have a set interest rate. The loan note becomes due within six months of graduation or leaving school full-time.
In order to file for these loans, you must fill out a Federal Application for Student Assistance. If you are independent from your parents and do not rely on them for support, make sure and notify the university or college before filling out the paperwork.
Once the paperwork is filled out and submitted it can take several weeks for the information to be processed. An education loan takes time to administer, so it is important to get your paperwork finished and submitted months before classes begin. The consequences of waiting too long to fill out the paperwork and submit it, could mean not having the funds available to pay for your tuition and books when the semester starts.
Most students worry about money while they are in school. In a perfect world, every student would be able to attend school and never have to worry about where the money is coming from that pays for their education. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and most students must take out student loans to cover their expenses. If you can get by without using a student loan that is great, but if you cannot, then you must know all of the facts before signing on the dotted line.
by Mike Selvon
If college were not so expensive, then many people would not need student loans to help them pay for expenditures. A student loan can help you pay for the things you must have, which scholarships and Federal grants do not cover.
Parents who have saved for your college education often have not saved enough to help cover every expense. Tuition, books, room and board quickly eat through savings and there is often nothing left over for the necessities, such as food and gas.
A college loan can be the way to help pay for college but there are several types of student loans available. The three main types are: Federally guaranteed loans, parent loans and private loans from a credit card company or bank.
Each has certain rules and repayment schedules, so it is important to thoroughly research the differences. You certainly do not want to have to worry about repaying the loan while you are attending school, if you can possibly avoid it.
If you are a student and need to take out an education loan, then you will want to make sure that your loan does not require repayment, as long as you are enrolled in school. Loans such as the Stafford Loan are guaranteed through the Federal government and have a set interest rate. The loan note becomes due within six months of graduation or leaving school full-time.
In order to file for these loans, you must fill out a Federal Application for Student Assistance. If you are independent from your parents and do not rely on them for support, make sure and notify the university or college before filling out the paperwork.
Once the paperwork is filled out and submitted it can take several weeks for the information to be processed. An education loan takes time to administer, so it is important to get your paperwork finished and submitted months before classes begin. The consequences of waiting too long to fill out the paperwork and submit it, could mean not having the funds available to pay for your tuition and books when the semester starts.
Most students worry about money while they are in school. In a perfect world, every student would be able to attend school and never have to worry about where the money is coming from that pays for their education. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and most students must take out student loans to cover their expenses. If you can get by without using a student loan that is great, but if you cannot, then you must know all of the facts before signing on the dotted line.
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 13 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2550
What are the pros and cons of student loan consolidation?
What are the pros and cons of student loan consolidation?
by Matthew Kelly
Should you consolidate your federal student loans? It is important to make an informed decision when considering this financial matter. Here are some things to consider when weighing your decision.
1. Your Grace Period
When you graduate you are given a 6 month grace period before you have to start making your loan payments. When you consolidate your loans, you must waive any remaining grace period. This sounds like a bad thing but remember this is not a "free period." Your loans will continue to gather interest on the unsubsidized portions whether you are making the payments or not. So while it's true that you are not required to make any payments for that six month period many students choose to in order to keep their balances from growing.
You may also begin the consolidation process and opt to retain your grace period. Your application is processed and ready for funding but is not actually funded until shortly before your grace period ends. This is a good way to keep your grace period without having to worry about forgetting to apply or not applying in time.
2. Lower Monthly Payments
All federal Stafford, PLUS and Graduate PLUS loans are issued with a 10 year term. This results in a high monthly payment. When you consolidate your student loans, you can increase the term of your loan up to 30 years, greatly reducing your monthly payments.
There are good and bad aspects to increasing your loan term, but they are completely under your control. Increasing the loan term means you will pay more in interest in the long term IF you make the minimum payment for the life of the loan. However, since there are no prepayment penalties you can pay your student loan off at any time. The lower payments of a consolidation can be a great help in the first couple of years after graduation until your salary catches up with your education. Once you have reached your full earning potential you can start making larger payments which will reduce the term of your loan and keep your interest costs down.
3. Graduation
At this time federal law does not allow in school consolidations. This shouldn't have much impact on students since you are not required to make loan payments while you are still enrolled in school. It can be helpful to have a consolidation lender in mind and your application process started before graduation though to give you one less thing to worry about in the hectic months after leaving school.
4. Loan Forgiveness
Depending on what area your degree is in, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness. Laws and programs vary by state so you will have to check your state's particular rules, but in general students who work in areas that serve the public, especially in low income areas, are generally eligible for loan forgiveness. Consolidation does not affect your ability to qualify for loan forgiveness with Stafford loans. Perkins loans on the other hand can not be forgiven if they are consolidated. Be sure to discuss this with your consolidation representative when considering student loan consolidation.
5. Number of Separate Lenders
You may find yourself with several different creditors upon graduation. Consolidating them all into one loan has a few benefits. First, you only have to make one payment a month, making your loan easier to manage. Second, having fewer lenders will help your credit score.
5. Payment Plans
Generally your loans have a set payment plan that was established when you took them out and it is usually just a flat payment for the life of the loan. Consolidation offers several different repayment options including graduated payments, extended payments and income sensitive payments. Having choices makes it easier to make your scheduled on time payments.
6. Deferral and Forbearance
All federal loans have the benefit of 3 years of deferral and 3 years of forbearance; this does not change when they are consolidated. In fact, if you have used any of your deferral or forbearance it is renewed to 3 years each upon consolidation.
7. Repayment Incentives
There are a lot of lenders out there who offer many different repayment incentives. Be sure that you weigh out all the options before you decide which company you are going to use. Make sure that you are getting the most savings on your consolidation. Buyer beware: lenders offering a cash back incentive generally give you smaller savings in the long run. Make sure that you weigh out all available plans before you decide which company you are going to be using.
8. Interest Rates
Many student loans are still on a variable rate and it has been steadily increasing over the last couple of years. The only way to fix the interest rate on these loans is to consolidate them. Since the interest rates have been climbing over the last few years it is best to consolidate before the rates increase again on July 1. When consolidating the interest rate is determined by a federally regulated weighted average of your loans current interest rates. One thing to be aware of is if one of your loans has a significantly higher rate it could throw off your other loans. Make sure your loan advisor goes over your interest rates with you to determine the best way to consolidate.
A consolidation is easy and free for you. It requires no credit check or even employment. There are few drawbacks to a consolidation and they can all be managed or avoided by working with a reliable, trustworthy loan advisor. Is it right for you? The best way to find out is to speak with a knowledgeable loan advisor who can go over your individual loans with you and help you determine your best course of action.
by Matthew Kelly
Should you consolidate your federal student loans? It is important to make an informed decision when considering this financial matter. Here are some things to consider when weighing your decision.
1. Your Grace Period
When you graduate you are given a 6 month grace period before you have to start making your loan payments. When you consolidate your loans, you must waive any remaining grace period. This sounds like a bad thing but remember this is not a "free period." Your loans will continue to gather interest on the unsubsidized portions whether you are making the payments or not. So while it's true that you are not required to make any payments for that six month period many students choose to in order to keep their balances from growing.
You may also begin the consolidation process and opt to retain your grace period. Your application is processed and ready for funding but is not actually funded until shortly before your grace period ends. This is a good way to keep your grace period without having to worry about forgetting to apply or not applying in time.
2. Lower Monthly Payments
All federal Stafford, PLUS and Graduate PLUS loans are issued with a 10 year term. This results in a high monthly payment. When you consolidate your student loans, you can increase the term of your loan up to 30 years, greatly reducing your monthly payments.
There are good and bad aspects to increasing your loan term, but they are completely under your control. Increasing the loan term means you will pay more in interest in the long term IF you make the minimum payment for the life of the loan. However, since there are no prepayment penalties you can pay your student loan off at any time. The lower payments of a consolidation can be a great help in the first couple of years after graduation until your salary catches up with your education. Once you have reached your full earning potential you can start making larger payments which will reduce the term of your loan and keep your interest costs down.
3. Graduation
At this time federal law does not allow in school consolidations. This shouldn't have much impact on students since you are not required to make loan payments while you are still enrolled in school. It can be helpful to have a consolidation lender in mind and your application process started before graduation though to give you one less thing to worry about in the hectic months after leaving school.
4. Loan Forgiveness
Depending on what area your degree is in, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness. Laws and programs vary by state so you will have to check your state's particular rules, but in general students who work in areas that serve the public, especially in low income areas, are generally eligible for loan forgiveness. Consolidation does not affect your ability to qualify for loan forgiveness with Stafford loans. Perkins loans on the other hand can not be forgiven if they are consolidated. Be sure to discuss this with your consolidation representative when considering student loan consolidation.
5. Number of Separate Lenders
You may find yourself with several different creditors upon graduation. Consolidating them all into one loan has a few benefits. First, you only have to make one payment a month, making your loan easier to manage. Second, having fewer lenders will help your credit score.
5. Payment Plans
Generally your loans have a set payment plan that was established when you took them out and it is usually just a flat payment for the life of the loan. Consolidation offers several different repayment options including graduated payments, extended payments and income sensitive payments. Having choices makes it easier to make your scheduled on time payments.
6. Deferral and Forbearance
All federal loans have the benefit of 3 years of deferral and 3 years of forbearance; this does not change when they are consolidated. In fact, if you have used any of your deferral or forbearance it is renewed to 3 years each upon consolidation.
7. Repayment Incentives
There are a lot of lenders out there who offer many different repayment incentives. Be sure that you weigh out all the options before you decide which company you are going to use. Make sure that you are getting the most savings on your consolidation. Buyer beware: lenders offering a cash back incentive generally give you smaller savings in the long run. Make sure that you weigh out all available plans before you decide which company you are going to be using.
8. Interest Rates
Many student loans are still on a variable rate and it has been steadily increasing over the last couple of years. The only way to fix the interest rate on these loans is to consolidate them. Since the interest rates have been climbing over the last few years it is best to consolidate before the rates increase again on July 1. When consolidating the interest rate is determined by a federally regulated weighted average of your loans current interest rates. One thing to be aware of is if one of your loans has a significantly higher rate it could throw off your other loans. Make sure your loan advisor goes over your interest rates with you to determine the best way to consolidate.
A consolidation is easy and free for you. It requires no credit check or even employment. There are few drawbacks to a consolidation and they can all be managed or avoided by working with a reliable, trustworthy loan advisor. Is it right for you? The best way to find out is to speak with a knowledgeable loan advisor who can go over your individual loans with you and help you determine your best course of action.
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