Student Consolidation Loans

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Author:
Carrie Reeder

Want to consolidate your student loans? It's a good idea, since it can mean locking in a low interest rate for life. And changing to a new lender may have other advantages, too, since another lender may offer better perks and benefits. So as you search around for a Student Loan Consolidation Lender, remember to look for these three things:

ONLINE ACCESS

Online access simplifies the entire process, from application to payments. You'll be able to apply online instantly without the hassle of dealing with a lot of paperwork (although you may have to sign some official papers before the consolidation is complete). Once your loans are consolidated, you'll be able to check balances, make payments and change all your information by simply accessing the lender's website.

RATE DROP FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS

Some Student Loan Consolidation lenders offer a bonus if you decide to make electronic payments. You'll need to give the lender your banking information--such as your bank account name, number and the routing number of the bank. Then you designate the amount you want to pay each month. Once it's set up, your student loan payment is automatically debited from your bank account on a designated day. In many cases, if you make this type of arrangement with your Student Loan lender, they'll automatically drop your interest about 0.5%.

RATE DROP FOR ON-TIME PAYMENTS

Just as some lenders will drop your rate when you sign up for electronic payments, others will give you a lower rate once you have a history of on-time payments. This means, however, that you never make a single late payment--or, if you signed up for electronic payments, that the money is always available in your account when the Student Loan company attempts to debit it. Once you have solid history of on-time payments--usually 6 months or a year--your Student Loan company will drop your interest rate about 0.5%, which means even more savings for you. Here is a list of recommended Student Loan Consolidation Lenders online. It's important to use a reputable lender online to make sure your personal information is secure.

To get the best of all worlds, find a Student Loan Consolidation company that offers all these perks and deals. Follow the guidelines, and you'll have a super-low interest rate in just a short period of time.

For more regarding a Student Loan Consolidation Comparison, ABC Loan Guide can provide valuable lists of lenders. They also have more information if you’d like to learn about Debt Consolidation and Reduction in general.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Student Loans... 4 Important Facts About Student Loan Consolidation When getting loans you should always understand what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up. So here are 4 important facts you should know about consolidating student loans. Fact 1: Same Interest Rates For Everyone At The Start All federal student loan consolidation rates must start with the same rates that are suggested by Congress every year. Student loan consolidation companies are required to give everyone the same federal rates Fact 2: You Save Money On The Benefits If it’s your first time consolidating your loan then the real savings are in the benefits and discounts of signing up. Standard benefit: 0.25% off your rate for using automatic checking account withdrawal. Standard benefit: 0.6% off your repayment rate if you consolidate in your grace period. Extra benefit: if you have more than $20,000 in federal student loans, 1.0% off after your first 36 on time payments. Ok let’s start with a scenario, of $25,000 in federal Stafford loans and your rate before 1 July 2006 is at 3.37%. If you’re still in your grace period (6 months before your payments start only for graduates) you’re rate will decrease to 2.875%. Automatic checking account withdrawal will reduce is further to 2.625% and after your 36th on time payments your rates will drop a further 1.0% to a new low of 1.625%. This is how the benefits of student loan consolidation really works and it really saves you a lot of money. Fact 3: Read The Fine Print Before You Sign Anything! Some loan companies will give you a list of borrower’s benefits for signing up with them. For example if you make 24 on time payments you’ll get 1% off which is great but in the fine print it’s only available for loans above $50,000. Statistically, only 17% of all graduates will have a loan debt this...