| of us graduating or who had graduated from college | | | | to avoid defaulting in any of his existing student |
| carry a large financial burden in repaying our student | | | | loans. As mentioned earlier, when consolidating, that |
| loans. Add in other responsibilities such as rent, | | | | borrower is in fact getting a new loan that pays off |
| mortgage, car payments, maybe even a family, the | | | | the existing loans. By doing so, the loan that is about |
| weight can indeed be very heavy. | | | | to default gets paid down and is assumed as part of |
| Examining options that could help relieve financial | | | | a new, but bigger, loan. By consolidating timely, that |
| burdens is always a good idea. Your college student | | | | borrower avoids a very bad mark in his credit report. |
| loan is one place to begin. | | | | THE BAD: WHY STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION |
| Colleges and universities use several sources in | | | | IS NOT FOR YOU |
| securing loans for qualified students. One bank does | | | | Just as there are good reasons for student loan debt |
| not typically issue an entire 4-year loan or even a | | | | consolidation, there are drawbacks that you must |
| 1-year loan. Usually, it takes multiple funds from | | | | consider before speaking to a smooth talking |
| various lending institutions to get a student through | | | | consolidation counselor. |
| his college career. | | | | In fact, if there's one thing that you should |
| That is the reason why you're writing several checks | | | | remember from this article, then it should be this |
| a month when paying your student loans. Of course, | | | | passage. Just because someone shows you a lower |
| these loans carry with it different interest rates and | | | | monthly payment, it doesn't always mean that you're |
| different billing cycles. They may also have different | | | | saving money. The big picture could be the opposite. |
| borrowers benefits. | | | | Because in order to get a lower monthly, the length |
| You don't have to be in a financial crisis in order to | | | | of repayment may have been extended. So that |
| consider a private or government student loan | | | | your loan payment period is now 30 years instead of |
| consolidation. Sometimes, it's just smart money | | | | 10. Longer payment means higher cost of the loan. |
| management. | | | | Also, some programs that may be advertised as low |
| STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATIONS ARE LOANS | | | | interest student loan consolidation may not have |
| First, let's understand that a student loan | | | | forbearance or forgiveness provisions. These |
| consolidation is a loan. You're getting one new loan | | | | provisions can be helpful in tight fiscal situations. |
| that will pay off the multiple existing loans. Hence, at | | | | Lastly, if your current student loans have any |
| the end of the month, you get one bill instead of | | | | attractive borrowers bonus, such as rebates, you |
| many. You pay one check, instead of writing a few. | | | | may lose it. |
| Consolidation can be very convenient. | | | | WHAT TO DO |
| THE GOOD: WHY STUDENT LOAN | | | | A good student loan consolidation program can save |
| CONSOLIDATIONS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU | | | | you money and ease your monthly financial burden. |
| Besides the simplicity of a single check, there are | | | | But keep this in mind, the best student loan |
| other reasons that you should consider. | | | | consolidation is the one that's custom-made for you |
| For example, when a student loan consolidation rate | | | | because your situation is different from the next |
| is lower than the average interest rate of your | | | | borrower. Just like any financial products, you must |
| multiple loans, you may end up with a lower monthly | | | | shop. There are a number of online sites that let you |
| payment. You can invest the money that you save. | | | | compare student loan consolidation programs. The |
| Also, a lending institution may have more attractive | | | | good ones list the banks, their rates, and the |
| consolidation incentives than what you currently have | | | | provisions. Use these sites as tools to your |
| such as rebates or last month free. | | | | advantage. |
| Sadly, a borrower may have to consolidate in order | | | | |