Student Consolidation Loan: How Consolidating Student Loans Can Keep You Out Of Debt

By: Manu Goel

The repayment of Federal student loans generally begins after the borrowing student has completed his or her education and an additional grace period after that. However, due to various reasons students opt for student Federal loan consolidation. However, there is certain eligibility criterion that you must fulfill and a process that you must follow before you can be entitled to Federal debt consolidation of student loans. Again, it is important to note here that such processes and criterion might be reviewed and revised from time to time. So, it’s important that you check on them with the concerned authority.

As per the Higher Education Reconciliation act of 2005, the eligibility criteria for student loan consolidation by FFEL and Direct Stafford loan borrowers has been defined a bit differently. Now, such borrowers will not be eligible for consolidation loan if they are still studying i.e. they are not eligible until the time they leave school or graduate or have enrollment that is less than half-time. For PLUS loan borrowers, the consolidation eligibility begins as soon as the full disbursement has happened.

Private student consolidation loan is a low interest student loan. People having outstanding non-federal education-related expenses can apply for this loan. But he or she should be a holder of US citizenship. If not, the applicant must at least be a permanent resident.

Generally, the minimum loan amount is $10,000 while the maximum amount that can be borrowed is $250,000. The amount also decides the repayment periods. If the amount borrowed is below $40,000, the repayment period is fixed at a maximum of 20 years. However, if you borrow more than $40,000, you can enjoy a longer repayment period of up to 25 years.

This student loan consolidation is quick to get approved. The interest rate on private student consolidation loan is the prime rate and is adjusted on a monthly basis. The interest rate is also dependent on the credit record of the borrower. A good credit record will attract a lower interest rate. As such, the interest rate is variable.

The prime rate is 7.0 percent (at the time of writing this article). Initially the margin may vary between 0 percent and 9.90 percent and is adjusted based on the changes in the margin adjustment index.

This student loan debt consolidation can be utilized to consolidate all debts relating to education, which also include private loans as well as federal student loans. If you want, you can consolidate for more than one child. Spouses have the choice to consolidate multiple loans into a single consolidation loan.