Monday, August 10, 2009
Private Student Loan Consolidation - Improves Credit Score
The reason why some students start their real lives with low credit score is because of the many student loans that they accumulated all throughout their college years. The more loans one has, the lower will be his credit. More so if he is not able to manage ably each and every loan, what with the different payment terms and interest rates. Thus if a student borrower is able to obtain a private student loan consolidation program for his private college loans by merging them into a lone debt account., these can be a big step towards improving his credit standing.
When the evaluation of your credit report comes, one aspect that is taken into account is your minimum installments that are paid every month. If in case you own a good number of student debts, every installment is counted as part of your total monthly financial obligation. These means a larger amount of payment responsibility and will actually affects negatively the credit standing of the borrower. If you have considered private student loan consolidation, this means only a single payment every month, which is much lower than the payments of your previous different loans.
Simply put, the student borrower will earn a low credit rating if he maintains multiple college loans under his account. This is because multiple loans result in big monthly repayment, being the total amount of the various monthly payments of the different loans. One should be reminded that multiple college debts negatively reflect on the credit rating of the individual. This can be solved by going for private student loan consolidation that will merge such various loans into a single new loan.
For more college loans and student loans consolidation service articles, do visit our Fuss About Loans blog.
by: Ernesto Maitim
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Student Loan Consolidation Rate in Federal and Private Consolidation
The process of consolidating student loans is similar to refinancing a mortgage. It's a great way to improve own finances as it gives the borrower a number of benefits, such as: lower monthly payment, lower interest rate, longer repayment schedule, lack of application fees and of credit check as well as deferment and forbearance options.
Not all of those benefits are available in every consolidation loan; which of them a borrower receives depends on whether he or she takes a federal or private consolidation loan. While both federal and private consolidations provide similar results with regards to lowering monthly payments and longer repayment schedules, there are significant differences regarding the interest rates and deferment and forbearance options.
In this article I will discuss the issue of the student loan consolidation rate and how it is determined in federal and private consolidation.
First of all, it's important to remember that usually it is not a good idea to include any of your federal education loans if you decide to take a private student consolidation loan. Why? For two main reasons. First, doing so may increase your effective interest rate and second, you will most likely lose a number of important borrower benefits, such as: flexible repayment terms, generous loan forgiveness, deferment, forbearance and cancellation provisions. In most cases, they don't come with private student consolidation loans.
Interest rate is always among the most important factors in every loan as it determines the cost the borrower pays to the lender for using the money being borrowed. The higher the interest rate, the longer the total cost of taking the loan will be. Also, getting a fixed interest rate is preferable to a variable rate, as it is just much easier to live with the fixed rate and not to worry that it may significantly go up and negatively impact your financial well being.
Many people believe that all student loan consolidations - both federal and private - result in a fixed-interest rate loan. However, it's only true for the federal student loan consolidations, but in most cases the private consolidations don't feature fixed interest rates. Because the private consolidation loans belong to the consumer loans, they are credit-based and have to carry variable interest rates.
To the contrary, all federal student consolidation loans carry a fixed interest rates, because they are taxpayer-supported. They are government-funded and policed by the Department of Education (ED). Some of them are also directly provided by the ED; they are called "Direct Loans". Those federal consolidation loans are based on government programs and not only the federal Direct Consolidation Loans (Direct Loans), but also the federal loans provided by private lenders under the FFELP (Federal Family Education Loan Program) follow the same formula for determining the fixed interest rates. That formula is simple - the fixed interest rate on a federal student consolidation loan is calculated as the weighted average of the interest rates on all loans that get consolidated. The result is then rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of a percent and capped at 8.25% (i.e. the federal loan interest rate can't be higher than 8.25%). The fixed interest rate means that it is locked in for the whole term of the consolidated loan; it makes the life of the borrower much less stressful than that of somebody that has to take a private consolidation loan.
On the other hand, interest rates in most of the private consolidation loans are variable - they change during the length of the loan, according to the changes in the base. Those bases differ from loan to loan, but the lenders usually choose one of these - either the Prime Rate or the 3-month LIBOR Rate. The second one has been significantly lower over the last few years, thus it's more advantageous for the borrowers. The lenders arrive at the final interest rate by adding a margin determined by the borrower's credit rating.
There are a few ways available to the borrowers to bring down the consolidation loan interest rate and they are available in both federal and private consolidations. For example, you can get a 0.25% instant rate reduction when you agree to have your monthly loan payments direct-debited from your bank account. Later on, you may also earn another interest rate reduction if you continually make on-time monthly payments for a certain number of months (e.g., 24, or 36, or 48 months).
Any interest rate reduction will usually mean thousands of dollars in savings, so try as much as you can to use all opportunities to earn those reductions and save a lot of money.
Mary Cala is the Author and Leading Expert on how to consolidate student loans and she blogs about student loan consolidation. If you'd like to learn about how to consolidate student loans, go to Mary Cala's blog - Consolidation Dept - where she provides tips on consolidating student loans and getting financial aid.
by: Mary Cala
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Private Student Loan Consolidation and Its Benefits
Private student loans are similar to federal students with a few exceptions. First of all, while it may take several months before you can get a federal student loan you can get a private loan much faster. However, there is a downside. Although private student loans are faster they are often harder to get. Many students find themselves going into college with little or no established credit. While this isn't a factor with federal student loans, it can be your downfall when it comes to private student loans. When applying for a private loan, your credit is a huge factor.
Most of these loans come from a banking institution which is looking for a good, solid credit score. So if you were able to get this type of loan, private student loan consolidation could be a very good option which will help you keep your good credit score in tact by lowering your monthly payments.
You've gotten your college education out of the way. That was the hard part. Even though paying back your loans may seem like a difficult task it can be accomplished with a solid game plan which includes private student loan consolidation.
by: J. Dees
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Student Loan Consolidation - A Helpful Financial Aid Option
Student loan consolidation is the process of combining all of your individual student loans into a single loan from a single lender. While doing this will not really save you any money in the end (in fact, it may cost you more due to greater interest accumulation), consolidating your loans allows you to lower your monthly payments by extending the repayment period (by up to 30 years), which will make the process of paying off the loan much less stressful. By consolidating, you will have enough money to comfortably afford other costs like car payments, rent, and additional expenses in your life. In addition to this, you will have other benefits such as a single monthly payment, possible fixed interest rates, and a good chance to improve your credit (since successfully paying off the loan will be easier). Although extending your loan period will mean that you pay more in interest in the end, if it means easing the stress of paying back what you borrowed then it may be worth it.
There are consolidation programs available for both federal and private student loans. You should consolidate your federal and private loans separately, as consolidating them together will mean that you lose the benefits that come with federal loan consolidation.
For private student loan consolidation, you will take all of your private loans to a lender of your choosing and consolidate them there. For private consolidation loans, you will have benefits such as getting a better interest rate if you have better credit, chances for interest rate reductions (for example, if you sign up for automatic monthly payments from your bank account), and the chance to start off with interest-only payments. However, some drawbacks to private student loan consolidation are not having a fixed interest rate, being required to have a credit check (bad credit can mean you aren't eligible), and a minimum required balance in borrowed money to be eligible for private consolidation. One other benefit of private student loan consolidation is that if you have improved your credit since originally attaining your loans, you may be eligible to lower your current interest rates by consolidating.
You are eligible for federal student loan consolidation if you have borrowed money from the government to pay for college. Some benefits of federal student loan consolidation include having a fixed interest rate, alternate repayment plans, no need for a credit check, and not needing a minimum balance in federal loans to be eligible. As far as drawbacks, they are the same as you will find with any student consolidation loan (mainly paying more in interest and having the "burden" of the loan for a longer period of time). Also note that there are two different federal student loan consolidation programs, FDSLP (also known as a "Direct Loan") and FFELP.
In conclusion, if you are interested in lowering your monthly payments, extending your repayment period, lowering your interest, and/or improving your credit, you should definitely look into consolidating your student loans. When making the decisions, just weight how it will benefit you against the drawbacks that exist, such as larger costs in interest. Student Loan Consolidation may cost you more, but it can definitely make paying off student loans less of a burden.
by:Paul L. Johnson
Monday, July 13, 2009
Make Your Life Easier With A Private Student Loan Consolidation
School is out, you have your diploma, now it's time to start considering repayment of all those student loans that you took out while achieving your higher education goals. Whether you have two loans or five, it's a good idea to consolidate to make life easier for yourself. Consolidating loans enables you to combine all those debts, achieve one interest rate, one payment and write one check. Consolidating a student loan will more than likely offer you a lower interest rate, a longer repayment schedule and lower monthly payments. Writing one check each month also makes bill paying easier and reduces the chance of missing a payment or getting behind while you're trying to juggle all of them at the same time.
Student loans don't need to be repaid until after you have completed your education, but it's a good idea to get a jump-start and devise a plan to start repaying those student loans before you have to. Lowering monthly payments makes life a little easier when times are tough, but you should always try to pay more than the minimum balance due on any type of loan to save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. At the same time, having a lower monthly payment to repay those student loans leaves you money to pay for that car you need to take you to that new job, or save a mortgage or rent payment when you're still trying to get your career on track.
One of the greatest benefits of a private student loan consolidation is that you will be the happy owner of a fixed rate of interest. Many loan interest rates fluctuate with the times, but with a fixed rate, your interest payments will stay the same month after month. Such rates will, of course, depend on the amount of the total loans combined, your current interest rate and how long you want to finance your repayment terms. Some businesses and banks allow you to request a certain repayment period of between 3 to 5 to 7 years, but depending on your loan amounts, this may be extended to a 10-year repayment plan or even longer.
Many different types of private student loans can be consolidated, including but not limited to Health Professions loans, Nursing Student loans, Stafford and Perkins loans as well as PLUS, NDSL and HEAL loans. Always check to make sure you know which kinds of loans you currently have before going to see a lender to consolidate, and have your account numbers, loan balances and interest rate information handy. Always look around and find at least two to three lenders that you feel you might be able to work with in order to find the best interest rates for your consolidation needs. Whether you have graduated or not, it's a good idea to have a repayment plan in place before you graduate so that you can work repayment loans into your monthly living expenses. Don't wait until the last minute to start repaying loans, and don't waste time and money paying high interest rates when you can take a few hours, or even a few days, finding a lender that will allow you to consolidate.
by: chonticha marijne
Monday, June 8, 2009
Private Student Loan Consolidation - Is There a Best One?
The main advantage of doing this is that instead of making several monthly payments, only a single payment is made every month that may be reduced although this will cost one in terms of higher interest amount paid because the single loan may be for a longer period of time.
There is a way to secure a lower interest rate. The private student loan is based on the credit score. If the credit score has improved by 50 to 100 points due to the fact that you have graduated and have a job, then you will be rewarded with a low interest rate.
Another way of getting a better deal when considering a private student loan consolidation is to talk to the holders of your debts. They may be willing to negotiate with you and cut down your interest rate so that they can keep you as their customer.
This type of loan also incurs the same interest that the home equity loan has. You can have a home equity loan at a fixed rate, thus locking in the low interest rate. However sometimes a variable rate looks attractive as long as you can watch it and lock it the moment it is on an upward trend.
Study carefully the terms of the agreement. Find out if the interest rate is variable or fixed. Ask also about fees and if there are prepayment penalties. Find out how much they are for each of the following lenders. Write them down so you can get the best deal from among the following list and whatever other companies willing to do the private student consolidation loan with you:
Key Education Consolidation Loan - $75,000 maximum for non-key debt, $7500 minimum, 10, 15, 30 year repayment term, no prepayment penalty and no fees
Citi Student Loans - $75,000 maximum, $7500 minimum, choose fixed or variable rate, up to 30 year term rate, rate reduction after 48 monthly on time payments, no prepayment penalty
Educated Borrower Private Consolidation Loan - $300,000 maximum, $7500 minimum, up to 30 year repayment term, no prepayment penalty and 0 to 5% origination fees
Sallie Mae Private Consolidation Loan - $275,000 maximum, $5000 minimum, 15 to 30 year repayment term, choose between fixed and variable rate, no prepayment penalty and no fees
SC Student Loan - PAL Consolidation Loan - $150,000 maximum, $5000 minimum, 10 to 30 year repayment term, choose between fixed and variable rate, no prepayment penalty and no fees
Next Student Private Consolidation Loan - $300,000 maximum, $7500 minimum, up to 30 year repayment term, no prepayment penalty and 0 to 5% origination fees
Make sure when you are considering to go this route that you clarify all the terms of the agreement as the above may have changed and that all are put in writing and signed by both parties. The best one is the one that fits your needs. There you have some of the possible lenders and the other options when considering to do the private student loan consolidation.
Please visit these sites for more help where you can sign up for free to receive alerts and tips delivered right to your email inbox:Private Student Loan ConsolidationDebt Into Wealth
Brief Biography: Dr. Guzman worked for the Atlantic Health Corporation and was consultant to St. Joseph's Hospital, Sussex Mental Health Clinic, and St. Stephen Mental Health Clinic for many years. He was Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Centracare for ten years and published numerous articles, including financial ones in the Journal of the American College of Forensic Psychiatry and other medical magazines.
Copyright © May 28, 2009 Roger Guzman, M.D. (Private Student Loan Consolidation, Is There a Best One?) All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Consider Federal Student Loan Consolidation
The Federal Student Loan Consolidation program could supply debt management solutions for graduates, those who have left school, or dropped to less than half-time. A few federal student loan consolidation choices are the Direct Consolidation Loan and private consolidation loan.
Student loan consolidation recourse such as Direct Consolidation Loans sanction borrowers to combine one or more of their Federal education loans into a new loan that passes many conveniences. One lender and one monthly payment, flexible repayment options, no minimum or maximum loan amounts or fees (direct consolidation loans), assorted deferment options, and reasonable monthly payments.
Many loans may be entitled to consolidation. PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans, Stafford loans, Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) and more. You might consider consolidating other Federal Consolidation Loans.
Avoid Loan Default
Default on a loan can occur after a default has persisted for a certain number of days. Before a loan is officially in default it is considered to be in delinquency. While delinquent, the loan holder must attempt to contact the borrower about repayment. If the borrow cannot be reached the loan will then be put into default status. The loan could then be made due in a single lump payment. While in a default state a borrower can't take advantage of any deferments in most cases.
Why choose Federal Student Loan Consolidation?
You should contemplate consolidation to circumvent default. The consequences of default can be severe. You can consolidate Stafford loans, PLUS loans, and Federal Perkins Loans into one single debt. You might chop your monthly payments, but with a longer term on the loan. Consolidation loans almost always feature a fixed interest rate for the lifetime of the loan. The term of the loan can be extended to 10 to 30 years. Although your monthly payments might be lessened, the total amount paid would be larger due to the longer term of the consolidation loan.
About Federal Direct Consolidation Loans
You've done it! You have just graduated or are about to finish college. How to repay and manage your student loan debt is just one of the challenges that lay ahead. In many cases your best bet is to consolidate.
It's not all bad news. By consolidating your federal loans you can take advantage of a great government program. There are many easy to find and easy to use tools available to help you transition too.
The Federal Student Loan Consolidation Program is a very commonly used management tool for your student loan debts. This program was set up just for you to use and enjoy. Read on to find out specific information that you can take to heart today.
Using Private Student Loan Consolidation
After you consolidate all your Federal Student Loans initially and distinctly, consider private student loan consolidation for the remainder. Private student loans are not possible, in general, to be consolidated with federal loan programs. The interest rates are typically greater on private student loans as well. Private loan consolidation is an option that complements federal student loan consolidation.
After learning about federal student loan consolidation new graduates might realize that they have the ability to take charge of their finances. Cash saved through consolidation can be used to pay off credit cards and other higher interest rate debts.
About the Author
For more articles on Student Loan Consoldiation go to: Student Loans Consolidated
Zack Bauer takes care of Debt Consolidation News a blog dedicated to share information about student loan consolidation and other related subject