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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Should I consolidate My Student Loans?

By Dennis Powell

Student loan consolidation programs are often a useful tool for recent grads to manage their loan payments at the start of their careers. Many consolidation programs offer extended terms, fixed interest rates, and a variety of payment options which make monthly payments more affordable for people on an entry-level salary.

Loan consolidation can benefit a person's credit rating. Lower monthly payments, flexible repayment options, and fixed interest rates are all benefits of managing student loan debt through a consolidation program, and can help borrowers develop a good credit profile while meeting their responsibilities.

The most obvious candidates for student loan consolidation are former students with high loan totals who don't earn enough to make the minimum monthly payments. Loans with graduated repayment terms allow borrowers to make smaller monthly payments at the beginning of the loan, and larger payments as their income grows. Extended payment terms also help create lower monthly payments though at the expense of a higher overall loan cost.

Borrowers give up some of their deferment options upon consolidation. However, candidates who find work immediately upon finishing their college career may be willing to give up these deferments in exchange for locking in a low interest rate.

Borrowers with outstanding personal credit ratings may also benefit from consolidation. Some private education loan consolidation programs based their interest rate on a borrower's personal credit history, which could allow some people to lock in very low rates for the duration of their consolidation loan. Borrowers whose credit rating has improved during their school career may also be able to find a better rate than they got on their initial private student loan.

The simplicity of consolidation is another reason many grads choose to put all their loans together in one package. With a single consolidation loan recordkeeping, monthly payments, and tax statements are easier to manage allowing the borrower to focus on their career instead of their debt load. The time-saving a consolidation loan provides is often a benefit in and of itself.

It's important for each borrower to look at their total debt portfolio when choosing their consolidation options. Consolidation is not the best choice for everyone. Particularly borrowers with low total balances and manageable monthly payments may be better off to keep the present laws in place and just keep up with their loans. Avoid taking the easiest path or consolidating just because everyone's doing it the sooner you pay off your loans the better off you'll be.

There many financing options available for people with education debt. Between tuition, books, and living expenses incurred during college typical borrower leaves school with nearly $20,000 in loans. Student loans provide a six-month grace period upon graduation before payments are expected. Smart borrowers will take that time to shop for the best consolidation program for their financial needs. If you decide to consolidate make sure that you choose a program that makes sense for you both now and in the future.

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