Private Loan Consolidation

Consolidation is a great debt management tool. It allows you more time to repay your loan(s). You can generally extend your loan terms out to 25 or 30 years from the initial 10-year marker, which means you can dramatically lower your monthly payment.

Another good thing these days are the lower interest rates. When the economy is slumping interest rates tend to get cut. As a byproduct of these rate cuts (lower interest rates) you the consumer benefit, which is why it’s a great time to consolidate your private student loans.

With one convenient low payment, no prepayment penalties, and lower interest rates it is the perfect time to consolidate.

To consolidate or not to consolidate my private loans - that is the question

I have spoke to many students who are under the belief that consolidation is a means by which to lower your interest rate, however that is not the case. The real benefit to consolidating is extending your loan terms and minimizing your monthly payment. Granted, your rate may decrease as some lenders use the LIBOR index while others base your interest rate off the prime, but that is no guarantee.

So is consolidation right for you? Each person’s financial situation is different so it’s not a black or white answer. What I can tell you is this, if you are struggling with your monthly payment than consolidation will probably serve you well.

We’ve actually seen a spike in consolidation applications over the past month which is reflection on the current state of the economy. Many don’t have jobs or are only working part-time right now and need to lower their monthly payment. The job market is the worst it’s been in years. According to the Labor Department the unemployment rate just jumped to 6.1% the highest in 5 years. Over 600,000 jobs have been lost so far in 2008! I guess we should just be thankful we are in a recession and not a depression.

If you would like to find out what your interest rate and payment terms would be without obligation (click here).

Consolidation Does Not Require Multiple Loans

Here is my consolidation question of the day!

Question: I only have one private loan so I can’t consolidate, right?

Answer: WRONG! Loan consolidation is viewed as a debt management tool. The purpose is to extend your loan terms to help minimize your monthly payment. Regardless of whether you have one loan or ten you may apply for consolidation.

I guess when you are in the industry you never give this a second thought - it’s just common knowledge that you don’t need more than one loan to consolidate, but many don’t know that.

If you have $10,000 or greater in private student loans and are looking to consolidate (click here).

Student Loan Options For Financing Your Education

When you begin applying for colleges, you will find that tuition and boarding fees are extremely expensive. Unless they are independently wealthy, few people can pay for college outright. If you do not qualify for scholarships, financing your education can seem virtually impossible, even with the help of regular financial aid grants. However, there are many low interest student loans available for students that qualify for them. Rather than putting off your education, you can borrow money and defer payment until your have graduated and have found a full-time job with which you can pay back what you owe.

The first step toward applying for student loans is to fill out a financial aid application form called the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid. Once you have been accepted to a college or university, you will be sent a packet of financial aid information. You will be asked to provide your own and your parents financial information so the aid agency can assess your need and your ability to pay. There are many government based grants, like the Pell Grant, that give money to low-income students and their families with no obligation to ever pay it back. However, grants can only pay for so much, and you will most likely require student loans to finance the rest of your educational expenses.

If the free financial aid you qualify for is not enough to cover your expenses, student loans can help you make it through college to get the degree you need to be financially successful later in life. There are many different types of student loans available for both conventional and nontraditional students. Federal education loans like Perkins and Stafford Loans can be funded by either the school, your bank, or by the U.S. Department of Education. Private education loans are not sponsored by the government and draw funds from a variety of different sources. If you are still considered a dependent, either you or your parents can apply for student loans to finance your education.

Guaranteed Student Loans, or Stafford Loans, typically have lower interest rates than private loans. These loans are guaranteed by the federal government, and they can be subsidized or unsubsidized. If you have a subsidized loan, the government pays your interest while you are in school. With an unsubsidized loan, you begin accruing interest while you are in school, but you do not have to pay it back until you have graduated. You must show financial need to obtain a subsidized loan, whereas unsubsidized loans are available to anyone who applies.

Often times, Direct Student Loans are the loan of choice for many students. Direct loans are handled directly by the school you are attending. These types of loans typically have lower interest rates than most others. Your college or university may obtain the funds from a variety of sources, but all of the payments are generally made to the school itself. Once you are finished with school, you typically have anywhere from six to nine months to begin paying back your accrued debt.

If you finish school and cannot afford to pay back your student loans, they may be placed in default. This affects your credit rating and can keep you from getting other loans in the future. You can be granted a deferment on your loans if you decide to continue your schooling in graduate studies, or if you are unemployed. Deferment, however, does not last forever. If you have many different student loans, you can often consolidate them using a consolidation service, or, if you have direct loans, you can consolidate through your schools lender.

Get Out Of Debt - Top 5 Reasons You Need To Consolidate Loans

Today, the number of people filing for bankruptcy has skyrocketed by 44% in just the past 10 years with numbers continuing to climb. Consumer credit has reached an all-timehigh, leaving more and more people in debt. While we need consumer spending to maintain and grow the economy, when money and credit are misused, disaster strikes.

Unfortunately, people are notorious for abusing money and before they know it, they are in completely over their heads with no way to get out – or so they think. In truth, there are options for getting out of debt, staying out of debt, and rebuilding damaged credit. Below, you will find the top five reasons for taking back control of your life with a debt consolidation loan or student consolidation loan.

Keeping your Home

Considering that the average cost of a home today is close to $175,000, it is easy to see why mortgages can zap a large part of a person’s income. However, with interest rates now at a serious low and being a homeowner an excellent investment, this is the time to save your home. If you find that you are being swallowed up by bills and your mortgage is getting further and further behind, a debt consolidation loan could not only get you caught up on payments but also make owning your home more manageable and enjoyable.

Going to School

Unfortunately, there are people all across the country that would love to go to school or go back to school to complete a degree. However, the high cost associated with tuition, books, and supplies makes it impossible for many people due to the high level of bills. In fact, with so many people working two jobs just to stay above water financially, trying to fit in the cost of the classroom is simply too difficult.

However, by choosing a debt consolidation loan or student consolidation loan, you can get all of your outstanding debt under control. With this type of loan, everything is wrapped into one loan at a great interest rate and with payment schedules, you can afford. With that, your bills would be far more management, allowing you to earn the coveted degree that will only push you further into success.

Credit Card Interest Rates

Sadly, many credit card companies lure people into having a credit card, offering great credit limits and convenience. However, these same companies are charging anywhere between 20% to 25% interest on a single credit card. Multiple that by several credit cards and there is no way the individual could pay off the debt. Today, the average balance on a credit card is $9,000 and most people have five or more cards.

Unfortunately, people do not realize that if they had even a $1,000 balance and were to pay the minimum payment with a high interest rate, they would be paying on that one credit card debt for 20 years or more before finally getting it paid off, just because of the interest. That means they are spending thousands and thousands of dollars just for the “privilege” to carry around a credit card. By securing a debt consolidation loan, you could have all outstanding credit card debt rolled into one loan with a low interest rate. Therefore, the debt would be paid off within a few years, saving tremendous money.

Controlling Debt

Because so many people are struggling with debt versus income, debt consolidation loans and student consolidation loans are booming. With this type of service, you also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a professional counselor that will review your debt versus income ratio and set you up on a realistic payment plan that works specifically for you.

An agency that specializes in debt consolidation loans or student consolidation loans is structured to work directly with your debtors, working out lower interest rates and better repayment schedules. With that, you can keep a schedule that would allow you to pay off all your debt in 30 to 60 months as opposed to 20 to 30 years! The bottom line is that depending on the level of your debt, you would easily save anywhere from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest, processing fees, and late fees.

Future Buying

When you go to buy a home, car, get a student loan, or go into business for yourself, the first thing that will happen is a report will be run on our credit history. This report will show potential debtors how much money you own, if you pay your bills on time, if you have ever had a judgment against you or filed for bankruptcy, and everything possible about spending and paying habits. If you are way in over your head from a financial perspective, chances are you are overextended with credit, have missed some payments, made late payments, and overall have a fair or poor credit report history.

That means if you wanted to buy a home or car, you would be denied. Maintaining good credit is crucial and something everyone should take seriously. A debt consolidation loan would help you get back on track so your history report is favorable, not damaging. With that, if you want to invest in a home when you get married, or buy a larger car when little ones begin arriving, you could. Therefore, a debt consolidation loan can help you with future buying.

A School Loan Consolidation Primer

"Hey Dad!", my son screamed from our front door, "I did it, I was accepted to Boston University.". My momentary exhilaration was overshadowed by the financial realities of college, especially private college. A quick calculation of my costs for 4 years of tuition, and expenses came to roughly $250,000, a very intimidating figure. Overwhelmed I thought, how could I possibly afford to send him to college? Fortunately, there are various options available to finance this academic endeavor.



Federal programs are the single, largest source of school loan consolidation. The first step in applying for this type of aid is going on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website, at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, and fill out a comprehensive questionnaire. It generally takes around 7 days to process, at which point you will receive a Data Release Number, and Estimated Financial Contribution. It is important to find out if the school you will be attending participates in the federal student aid programs, most do.



There are several federal programs available for student aid, assuming school participation. The Federal Stafford Loans, are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. First-year undergraduates are eligible for loans up to $2,625. Amounts increase for subsequent years of study, with higher amounts for graduate students. The interest rate is variable, but never exceeds 8.25 percent. The Federal PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans made to parents; the interest rate is variable, but never exceeds 9 percent. Federal Work Study provides jobs to undergraduate and graduate students, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses. These are the major federal sources of loan money for college.



Private education loans are also available from a variety of sources to provide supplemental funding when other financial aid does not cover costs. These loans are not sponsored by government agencies, and are offered by banks or other financial institutions. Sallie Mae is a unique loan that consists of a comprehensive package of both private and federal loans.



After accumulating 4 years of undergraduate education loans, it is best to consider a School Loan Consolidation Program. Very simply, you can elect to combine all your outstanding loans into one student consolidated loan, which may create more favorable terms and simplify repayment, benefiting both the borrower, and the lending agency. Major benefits include the convenience of lower monthly payments, a single fixed rate, and one payment per month. There is a minor downside, however, students who do not consolidate their Stafford loans will have a 6-month grace period after graduation to begin making payments. Students who consolidate must begin making payments within 60 days of their consolidation. Both parents and students are eligible to consolidate student loans. The school loan consolidation program streamlines repayment by eliminating different terms, repayment schedules, and lenders.



Will I be able to afford my son’s college education? Careful financial planning, and research should make this endeavor a reality. While it is true that college tuitions continue to rise, there is more financial aid available to compensate for the increases. Ultimately, a good education is your best investment.

Student Loan Secrets: Improve Your Credit Score And Pay Off Your Student Loans

The single biggest factor that impacts the amount of interest you pay is your credit score. People with credit scores over 750 pay a lot less interest than people with scores of lower than 650. If you can increase your credit score by 100 points, you can pay less interest, pay more principle and get out of debt more quickly. Credit score is a huge factor in who gets richer and who gets poorer in this country.

The little known secret about credit scores.

Those student loans you needed to get through college can have a huge impact on your score. That small monthly payment could be crippling your entire financial health through increased interest payments on all your other bills.

When you have any type of loan, it shows the maximum credit, the outstanding balance and your payment history. The credit score takes into consideration the total amount of outstanding balances. The more you owe, the lower the score.

You’re thinking simple, right? Newsflash, it isn’t.

Student loans almost always report to your credit report in triplicate. So, for your credit score, even though you may owe only $15,000, it computes your score as if you owed $45,000! This can have a huge impact on the amount of interest you pay.

Even worse, yet in Sallie Mae’s eyes, your loan could look like 7 loans. Then multiply those 7 by 3 and you could have “21 Student Loans” on your credit report. This can destroy your credit score and most people never realize it. They do their best to work hard and pay their bills on time. However, they don’t get the credit score they deserve because the computers foul up their student loan balances.

Only a few professionals understand how this works.

And most don’t care to understand. They just buy your credit score, slap the interest rate on your loan and move on to the next person. You have to work with a professional who understands the inner workings of credit score computers. Only they can help you pay off those student loans and get you the interest rates you truly deserve.

Student Loans – Living At Low Cost

As a student you are going to have to learn to cut your costs. Your income will be severely limited, and it will be vital for you to avoid unnecessary expense, and to keep any interest charges on loans to a minimum.

You will have plenty of company and will be able to compare notes with fellow students on how to eke out your income to the best effect. The final choice on how you raise the necessary cash for course and living expenses will however be yours. You will need to evaluate your options with care, and ensure that you make every pound worth as much as possible.

This may sound like a ridiculous statement, but bear in mind that you could easily reduce the value of your pounds if you commit to loans for which you will have to pay interest charges. Those charges must be paid come what may, if you are not to find yourself heading for a slippery slope on which interest is added to interest.

Let us emerge from this gloom! Interest free loans can be obtained – your Local Education Authority (LEA) is well used to dealing with these. You may find that, if your family income is relatively low your tuition fees will be paid for you in full, and there is a sliding scale which requires some payment from students from families who are over the threshold. You may have heard that all tuition fees are paid by the government, but sadly this no longer applies. Increases in university admissions made it no longer viable, and in addition a theory was applied which said that ex-students would be better able to pay off the costs when they were in well paid employment.

This theory was not applied fully, with the result that the maximum tuition fees for which a student is responsible is ¼ of the cost – currently around £4000, although universities do keep increasing their fees. The remaining ¾ of the cost is covered by the government.

Despite evidence to the contrary it is accepted that students need to eat and that a diet of beans may be high in fibre but can be exceedingly monotonous. This is where your LEA will help, and you need to discuss your situation with them as soon as the course which you will take is determined. They will work out what you can borrow and the student’s loan company will be responsible for ensuring that this money is available to you for the student year commencement.

We have already said that you need to avoid having to pay interest charges. Well, a student loan is as about near as you can get to this. Interest on the loans (which by the way are unsecured) will be at a rate which takes account of inflation, so that you will only pay back the equivalent sum to that borrowed. Best of all, no repayment will be required until the end of the tax year after graduation, and even then this stipulation carries ‘get out’ clauses. No repayment will be required until your income reaches a threshold which triggers the requirement; additionally, the rate of repayment will be adjusted to tie in with your earnings level.

There is yet another get out clause; if your earnings never reach the repayment threshold, they will be written off completely at age 65! It really is a shame that this type of loan is not more universally available!

Whether you will ever reach the repayments threshold is in your own hands to a large extent, and it could take several years after graduation before you do. During this time you will have the millstone of debt haunting you; currently the average on leaving university is over £10,000 and this is expected to increase considerably in the next few years. At least you have the reassurance that the amount owed is not increasing in real terms – there is no interest being charged on interest.

If you possibly can, avoid all temptations, especially of the financial kind. A credit card is a hand grenade if the hand holding it is desperate. Agreed, they are no problem if paid off in full every month, but this is not your aim is it? You need cash and you need it now. So very shortly you find that your repayment is inconvenient or impossible, and there you are on the aforementioned slippery slope of interest charges.

Banks offer interest free student loans but these also carry in-built dangers. You can usually borrow around £2000 (a sprat to catch a mackerel – they want your business when you are a high-flyer) but exceed your limit and wham!! You are just another customer and you are likely to find yourself paying for an unauthorised overdraft plus high interest charges.

Really, when it comes down to it, you have but one choice. Conduct your financial affairs with great care and in fine detail; you will benefit greatly in the short term and once you ARE a high flyer, then the world will be your oyster and maybe you will even be able to dictate the terms of a loan.

Federal Student Loans Versus Private Student Loans – Which Is Best For Me?

Federal Student Loans versus Private Student Loans – which is best for me?

You have gotten all the grants and scholarships you can, but you still need money for your education. It’s time to look at loans. But which is better – federal loans or private loans?

Federal loans

If you need to take out a loan to help pay for your education, you should always look at federal loans first. The largest source of education loans around, federal loans are long-term loans with low interest rates designed for students who need money for their educations. They have several benefits when compared to other borrowing options, including

- Lower interest rates

- Options to postpone payments

- Longer repayment terms

- Easier credit requirements

Eligibility for some of these loans, such as the Federal Perkins Loan and the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, are needs-based, while others are not. You will need to complete a FAFSA to apply for these loans.

The most common federal student loans are listed below:

Federal Perkins Loan

The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest loan available to students who have exceptional financial need, based on the information provided on their FAFSA. Undergraduates can borrow up to $4,000 per year, while graduate students can borrow up to $6,000 per year.

Federal Stafford Loan

The Federal Stafford Loan is available to undergraduates and graduate students. Loan amounts depend on a student’s year in school and whether they are financially dependent or independent. Your college’s financial aid office determines your eligibility.

Stafford loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Financial need determines which type a student is eligible for. Subsidized loans are based on financial need. The government pays the interest while the student is in school, in deferment, and in their grace period.

Unsubsidized loans are available to all students, regardless of income. The student is responsible for all interest.

Federal PLUS Loan

The Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is a low-interest education loan for parents. Each year, parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus other financial aid received (scholarships, grants, student loans, etc.).

The PLUS loan is not based on financial need. Qualified applicants must pass a credit check.

Private loans

Private loans are designed to supplement federal loan programs and are available from schools, banks, and education loan organizations. They are usually used to cover education costs that cannot be met by federal aid.

Terms for these loans vary according to the lender and your credit history. Keep these things in mind as you consider taking out a private loan:

- Private loans have credit requirements, and you may need a co-signer

- The lender determines the interest rates and fees, which may be affected by your credit score

- Private loans may not offer deferment options

- Private loan programs may offer borrower benefits, such as interest rate discounts or rebates

No matter what type of loan you take out, be conservative and borrow wisely! All loans have to be repaid, whether federal or private.

Private Student Loans – Dispelling The Myths

If savings, grants, scholarships, and federal loans don’t cover the cost of your education, it’s time to turn to private loans. But young college students can’t qualify for a private loan, can they? Wrong! This article addresses this and other myths about student loans that you may run into.

I don’t have any collateral, so I can’t get a private loan.

Private loans are usually unsecured, which means no collateral is required. On the downside, this may also mean a higher interest rate.

I don’t have a good credit history (or no credit history at all)

Since the government doesn’t back private loans, your credit history is a consideration in being approved for a loan. If your credit history is bad or non-existent, you may be subject to a higher interest rate. And remember, you can always get a co-signer. Pay your loan off on time, and soon you will have a good credit history!

I have enough funds for tuition and fees, so I can’t get a private loan

In addition to paying tuition and fees, funds from private loans can be used to cover living expenses, supplies, computers, and other everyday living needs.

I can’t afford to make payments on a loan while I am still in school

For most loans, your principal and interest payments can be deferred while you are enrolled in school. Another option is to make interest payments while you are in school but defer paying off the principal. Your interest payments might even be tax-deductible!

I missed the deadline for applying for financial aid this year

You can apply for private student loans any time – there is no deadline. Depending on the financial institution you choose, you can be pre-approved in minutes and have the money (which will be sent directly to you) within a matter of days.

I don’t have a bank to apply through

Private loans are offered by thousands of banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Just search the internet for “private student loans” and you will find many places to apply to.

If you need the additional funds provided by private loans, don’t let myths and misconceptions keep you from applying!