| There are a few things to know about consolidating | | | | getting the lowest rate you can. |
| your graduate school loans. | | | | 5. Typically, You Must Be At Least 6 Months Away |
| 1. All Federal Loans Can and Should Be Consolidated | | | | From Graduation - Or Graduated - To Consolidate - |
| into a New Federal Loan - Federal Student Loans | | | | Federal loan consolidators usually want you to be |
| generally have the lowest interest rates available. | | | | almost or finished with school before they will |
| Students are usually much better off consolidating | | | | consolidate your loans. Private loan consolidators may |
| federal loans into a new federal loan. | | | | be a little more lenient about that and may be willing |
| 2. Private Loans Must Be Consolidated Into a New | | | | to consolidate or refinance student loans before you |
| Private Loan - You cannot consolidate a private | | | | are close to finishing school. |
| school loan into a federal loan. | | | | 6. How Much Can You Save? - That depends on how |
| 3. Just Watch Out For Any Benefits That Might Be | | | | much you have in student loans. Students who |
| Lost - Find out if, by consolidating, you might lose | | | | consolidate their loans can save anywhere from |
| any benefits, like paying a higher interest rate over | | | | hundreds per month to over $1000/monthly or more. |
| time, losing the ability to have the government pay | | | | Private loans with higher interest rates can have |
| you loan interest (loans that are subsidized). | | | | more potential for huge savings with loan |
| 4. Try Getting More Than One Loan Consolidation | | | | consolidation. But, students can often save as much |
| Offer - There are many different companies out | | | | as 50% or more when consolidating their federal |
| there offering federal student loan consolidation. Try | | | | student loans. |
| applying to more than one to make sure you are | | | | |