Recent Laws Affect Student Loan Consolidation

Recent Laws Affect Student Loan ConsolidationA lower rate student loan consolidation through
Legislation recently passed is expected to turn theNextStudent is the right way to go. The reduced
federal student loan program on end, most notablyrates often come with incentives for borrowers in
student loan consolidation. On July 1, interest rates willthe form of longer payment terms, no prepayment
increase while new rules and regulations will make itpenalties and, best of all, one simple monthly
more difficult for students to consolidate their loans.payment.
In February President Bush signed the DeficitOther regulations are expected to take effect, so
Reduction Act of 2005, S. 1932, into law after it wasborrowers beware and take action now. With July 1
narrowly approved Dec. 21 by the Senate. Of all thecoming fast upon us, it is smart to lock in student
federal programs impacted by the Deficit Reductionloan consolidation rates before consolidation becomes
Act, the federal student loan program is being hittoo problematic.
hardest with $12 million in cuts.With the new legislation, changes to student loan
Student Loan Consolidation: Do It Now!consolidation will include:
In order to avoid some of the negative effects,- Retaining the single holder rule
borrowers now can take advantage of student loan- Elimination of spousal consolidation
consolidation, as there still is time before the July 1- Elimination of in-school student loan consolidation
deadline.until borrower has less than six credits
To qualified borrowers, NextStudent, an educationStudent loan consolidation through NextStudent
funding company, offers a 2.75 fixed rate, withoffers:
benefits applied, for those looking to slash their- Reduced or postponed monthly payments
student loan consolidation payments up to 70- An end to interest rate hikes
percent.- Free government program and no fees or costs
Student loan consolidation rates for current in-school- One-minute qualification
borrowers now are set at 4.75 percent. BorrowersStudent loan consolidation as we know it will come to
can lock in their rates and stop any increases to theiran end on July 1. Taking advantage now of lower
federal rates – as long as they consolidateinterest rates is a way to lock in your rate for a
before July 1.better financial future.
Incentives for Student Loan Consolidation