Lower Your Student Loan With Federal Loan Consolidation
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Loans. Adults cannot live with them, yet most people are unable to live without borrowing money. Buying a new car requires a loan, except for the rare individual who can pay in cash, like Bill Gates; a homeowner will have to acquire a mortgage for the next 20-30 years; and, a post-secondary education often means taking out a loan, to pay for books, tuition and living expenses.
In some cases federal loans are available through the Veteran's Administration for housing. Federal loans can help for disaster relief, or agricultural needs for farmers and ranchers. However, when discussing federal loan consolidation, most people immediately consider the unsubsidized and subsidized money used to finance a college education.
A college education is a costly venture, yet definitely worth the investment of time and money. However, the tuition and fees often discourage some potential students from trading in the spatula of a fast food restaurant, and picking up a textbook. A post-secondary degree program seems like an impossible dream, rather than an obtainable goal.
Nevertheless, after careful consideration, and a brief visit with a financial aid officer, unsubsidized and subsidized student loans are available for a two-year degree, a Bachelor's, a Masters, or a Doctorate. Federal loans consolidation takes place AFTER an individual is done receiving a formal education. The loans are usually made available every year.
Because the cost of learning is beyond the average pocketbook, many students take advantage of both a subsidized and unsubsidized loan, with the plan to take advantage of federal loan consolidation after school. Once accepted for the federal loan program, students are offered the opportunity to accept, or reject, a student loan at the beginning of the school year. In many cases, both types of loans are presented, to give an individual the extra money needed to pay off expenses, and maybe have a little left to live on, without having to hold down a full-time job.
If only one loan is needed, opt to accept the subsidized version. Not only will the payment schedule not be instituted until six months after leaving school, but also the interest will not start accruing either. Although interest may seem like small potatoes, in the long-term, subsidized loans can save thousands in repayment dollars.
When more financial assistance is necessary, an unsubsidized student loan is also available, and the financial aid will later qualify for federal loan consolidation. However, for this particular avenue of financial assistance, the interest starts building immediately, even though repayment is still not required until after graduation.
So, imagine both loans were necessary to complete a degree program. Before the six-month grace period has expired, federal loan consolidation can be implemented, saving up to 54% in monthly payment amounts. How? Prior to consolidation, the length of the loan is ten years. If the loans are consolidated, the length of the loan can be extended by five-ten years, making the payments more affordable.
In addition, federal loan consolidation also reduces the ultimate interest rate. Thus, the two monthly payments combined will probably be less than repayment of one loan individually. For example, the unsubsidized loan payment may be around $200/per month. In addition, the subsidized loan is going to be another $200. Two separate bills, one big chuck of the monthly income. By implementing federal loan consolidation, the loan is repayable in 20 years, and the monthly amount is only 46% of the anticipated $400. Now, the payments are a manageable $184/per month.
One problem. Consider the following scenario: a student earns a two-year degree at a local community college to save some money. Then, he/she transfers to a university to complete a four-year program. A Master's in a particular field is only offered at selected locations, so transferring is again necessary. Three different schools. Three different sets of lenders. No problem!
Federal loan consolidation will combine all the loans, pay off the necessary lenders, and leave only one bill, one lender, to repay. So, whether an individual goes to one university or four, federal loan consolidation will not only reduce the payment amount, but make repayment infinitely easier, in the long run.
The only drawback of federal loan consolidation, worth mentioning, is the reduced grace period. If a graduate decides consolidation is the right choice, the process must be completed before the six-month post-education period expires. Unfortunately, once the federal loan consolidation process has been completed, the repayment process begins. The borrower loses any remaining grace period.
However, since federal loan consolidation can save a former student from drowning under the weight of two, or more, loans, giving up a couple months of grace period is a small price to pay. Unless a graduate lands the perfect dream job right after the caps are tossed in the air, federal loan consolidation can be a lifesaver.
Erol Orderland knows first hand how Student Debt can affect ones life. For more information visit Federal Loan Consolidation or find out about Consolidation of Debt.
Labels: federal loan consolidation, student loan consolidation, student loan refinancing
Consolidate And Eliminate Student Loans
Friday, May 11, 2007
As children, most individuals can hardly wait to grow up and become independent. The idea of not having to answer to Mom or Dad, and doing whatever they please is a worthy goal. Unfortunately, young people entering adulthood soon learn: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is not a reality.
Now, instead of Mom and Dad taking care of all the living details youngsters usually take for granted, the car payment is due, the credit card bills are piling up, and student loans are going to plague the budget for at least the next ten years. Instead of being frustrated with the task of keeping track of all the various bills, and the difficulty of establishing a workable budget, consider consolidating loans and eradicate debt in a timelier fashion.
As with any major decision, the choice to consolidate loans should only be made after considering both the drawbacks and the benefits. First, decide if consolidating is necessary.
For individuals with a mountain of debt, a consumer credit counseling agency will greatly help in making the proper financial decisions. Unless the debt is almost paid off, professionals will probably being the process to consolidate loans, helping an individual eradicate his/her debt sooner.
Probably the most frequent reason to consolidate loans is college. Student loans are costly, and the recent post-secondary graduate will be required to start repaying the debt six months following graduation. Many students will have acquired two types of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The unsubsidized loan starts accruing interest from day one. Conversely, the subsidized loan starts accruing interest after graduation. Either way, two separate loans, two separate payments, unless the individual decides to consolidate.
However, if the money lent is less than $7500, or scheduled to be paid in full, in the near future, consolidation may not be possible, or even worth the effort. In order to consolidate loans, students should meet specific criteria. According to the information found at www.nextstudent.com, the following must apply:
• You are in your six-month grace period following graduation or you have started repaying your loans
• You have eligible loans totaling over $7,500
• You have more than one lender
• You have not already consolidated your student loans, or since consolidation you have gone back to school and acquired new student loans
Once the determination is made concerning the qualifications for consolidated loans, the individual needs to understand the benefits of consolidating loans, even if juggling the bills is not a problem. Consolidated loans are simply as smart move for many individuals, especially the graduated student who is struggling to pay off student aid while support a family.
Consolidated loans are often the answer to financial stress. As a result of the high cost of living, poor budgeting, and the availability of buying on time, many Americans soon find themselves struggling to meet each month’s financial obligations. One extra car part, trip to the doctor, or any other unexpected expense, and people begin floundering in a sea of bills. So, other than bankruptcy, and seven years of bad credit, consolidated loans can eradicate debt faster and help individuals find some financial relief.
For example: a person has maxed-out his/her credit cards, the winter months have been exceptionally cold, and the heating bill has truly taxed the budget. Now, a major illness has left a mound of hospital bills, and no money is left in savings or the checking account. Before the individual throws in the towel, credit counselors can often provide services to ease the stress of debt, by granting a consolidated loan.
How? Counselors have connections with the creditors. If counselors can assure the lender bills will be paid in a timely manner, most companies will gladly forgive most, if not all, of the interest and penalties attached to a bill, since a consolidated loan is pending.
Why? When an individual receives a consolidated loan from a counseling service, he/she will pay one set amount to the service. After receiving the payment, consumer credit establishments divide up the monies, and pay all the lenders a pre-established amount monthly. Thus, the company is assured the money owed will be paid. Now, the individual only has to remember one bill, usually at a lower interest rate, leaving enough money for the day-to-day living expenses.
Now, for the former student faced with paying for financial aid used during college, consolidated loans are the answer to impending financial hardship. For example, many students have used both unsubsidized and subsidized student loans. Six months after graduation, the bills start arriving every month, for the next 10 years, if necessary. The mere thought is depressing!
However, by consolidating the loans, before the sixth month grace period is up, not only will one bill arrive monthly, the loan can be extended for 10-20-30 years, depending on the amount and the circumstances. In addition, the interest rates are lower. Thus, for some borrowers, the loan repayment may be reduced by as much as 54%. One bill to pay; half the payment is required each month; the loan can be extended for a longer period of time, if needed. What more needs to be said?
So, whether an individual has simply gotten too deep in debt, or facing the inevitable repayment of student aid, consolidated loans can eradicate debt faster or with less financial strain, no bankruptcy necessary.
Tags: Student Loan Consolidation, Federal Loan Consolidation
Now, instead of Mom and Dad taking care of all the living details youngsters usually take for granted, the car payment is due, the credit card bills are piling up, and student loans are going to plague the budget for at least the next ten years. Instead of being frustrated with the task of keeping track of all the various bills, and the difficulty of establishing a workable budget, consider consolidating loans and eradicate debt in a timelier fashion.
As with any major decision, the choice to consolidate loans should only be made after considering both the drawbacks and the benefits. First, decide if consolidating is necessary.
For individuals with a mountain of debt, a consumer credit counseling agency will greatly help in making the proper financial decisions. Unless the debt is almost paid off, professionals will probably being the process to consolidate loans, helping an individual eradicate his/her debt sooner.
Probably the most frequent reason to consolidate loans is college. Student loans are costly, and the recent post-secondary graduate will be required to start repaying the debt six months following graduation. Many students will have acquired two types of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The unsubsidized loan starts accruing interest from day one. Conversely, the subsidized loan starts accruing interest after graduation. Either way, two separate loans, two separate payments, unless the individual decides to consolidate.
However, if the money lent is less than $7500, or scheduled to be paid in full, in the near future, consolidation may not be possible, or even worth the effort. In order to consolidate loans, students should meet specific criteria. According to the information found at www.nextstudent.com, the following must apply:
• You are in your six-month grace period following graduation or you have started repaying your loans
• You have eligible loans totaling over $7,500
• You have more than one lender
• You have not already consolidated your student loans, or since consolidation you have gone back to school and acquired new student loans
Once the determination is made concerning the qualifications for consolidated loans, the individual needs to understand the benefits of consolidating loans, even if juggling the bills is not a problem. Consolidated loans are simply as smart move for many individuals, especially the graduated student who is struggling to pay off student aid while support a family.
Consolidated loans are often the answer to financial stress. As a result of the high cost of living, poor budgeting, and the availability of buying on time, many Americans soon find themselves struggling to meet each month’s financial obligations. One extra car part, trip to the doctor, or any other unexpected expense, and people begin floundering in a sea of bills. So, other than bankruptcy, and seven years of bad credit, consolidated loans can eradicate debt faster and help individuals find some financial relief.
For example: a person has maxed-out his/her credit cards, the winter months have been exceptionally cold, and the heating bill has truly taxed the budget. Now, a major illness has left a mound of hospital bills, and no money is left in savings or the checking account. Before the individual throws in the towel, credit counselors can often provide services to ease the stress of debt, by granting a consolidated loan.
How? Counselors have connections with the creditors. If counselors can assure the lender bills will be paid in a timely manner, most companies will gladly forgive most, if not all, of the interest and penalties attached to a bill, since a consolidated loan is pending.
Why? When an individual receives a consolidated loan from a counseling service, he/she will pay one set amount to the service. After receiving the payment, consumer credit establishments divide up the monies, and pay all the lenders a pre-established amount monthly. Thus, the company is assured the money owed will be paid. Now, the individual only has to remember one bill, usually at a lower interest rate, leaving enough money for the day-to-day living expenses.
Now, for the former student faced with paying for financial aid used during college, consolidated loans are the answer to impending financial hardship. For example, many students have used both unsubsidized and subsidized student loans. Six months after graduation, the bills start arriving every month, for the next 10 years, if necessary. The mere thought is depressing!
However, by consolidating the loans, before the sixth month grace period is up, not only will one bill arrive monthly, the loan can be extended for 10-20-30 years, depending on the amount and the circumstances. In addition, the interest rates are lower. Thus, for some borrowers, the loan repayment may be reduced by as much as 54%. One bill to pay; half the payment is required each month; the loan can be extended for a longer period of time, if needed. What more needs to be said?
So, whether an individual has simply gotten too deep in debt, or facing the inevitable repayment of student aid, consolidated loans can eradicate debt faster or with less financial strain, no bankruptcy necessary.
Tags: Student Loan Consolidation, Federal Loan Consolidation
Labels: student loan consolidation, student loans
