| Paying back a low interest rate student loan can | | | | payments instead of or in addition to the |
| become quite expensive after four to five years of | | | | monthly---but always with the same minimum amount |
| college, if not more. Even if using only federal school | | | | for each payment. If just making the payment |
| loans with low interest, they can still add up to | | | | monthly on a consolidated school loan, remember |
| thousands of dollars. When first starting out in | | | | that one payment is easier to make than three or |
| college, keep track of the loans you are using: who | | | | four different amounts being sent to three or four |
| the lender is, what the interest is, the balance owed, | | | | different locations. A person can afford to make |
| and payment status---all keeping a person out of | | | | larger payments with a set-up like this. |
| trouble with both the government and the credit | | | | The grace period that a student has to begin paying |
| agencies. Staying detail-oriented beginning on day one | | | | on school loans after they leave school varies with |
| of college will help the student determine their loan | | | | lenders. Perkins loans are a nine-month grace period |
| repayment plans after graduation. | | | | while Safford and other ones are six months. Private |
| If a low interest student loan consolidation is chosen, | | | | lenders vary even more, so this is something a |
| paying back the low interest rate student loan | | | | student needs to stay on top of right from the |
| becomes easier than paying loans with high interest | | | | beginning. Once that grace period is over, federal |
| rates. A good rule of thumb with debt consolidations | | | | loans are automatically based on a 10-year plan that |
| is to pay if off as fast as possible to keep the | | | | is standard for everyone. But if that is difficult to |
| interest down. This will require paying off more than | | | | follow, they also offer alternative repayment plans |
| the minimum payment at a time, or making bi-weekly | | | | and deferments. |