With an average student loan debt of $23,485 weighing on their shoulders and savings at all-time lows, college aid borrowers often view their post-graduate existence as an uphill battle. At the critical juncture of student loan repayment, financially-drained grads with tight incomes feel the financial pinch as they juggle job-hunting, business-launching, home-purchasing, and family-building. While a magical genie to make their school loan disappear is wishful thinking, a powerful debt-management tool known as student loan consolidation is a viable option at debtors' disposal. Surprisingly, a recent survey conducted by the Collegiate Funding Services found that 41% of college graduates had not heard of the federal student loan consolidation program, and that only 35% among them had taken advantage of this form of student loan refinance.
University graduates who tapped into financial aid stand much to gain from college loan consolidation, which combines existing loans into a new single loan. Student loan consolidation is easy, since 1) there are no credit checks or application fees involved, and 2) the applicant is not required to have collateral, be employed, or have a co-signer. The discussion below highlights the numerous benefits reaped by the average college student who chooses to consolidate student loans:
1. Lower monthly payments and a customized payment plan
Borrowers will be able to select a manageable monthly amount that is tailored to their income level. With the help of a student loan consolidation calculator, they can ascertain the number of years they would need to pay off the student loan at that amount. An extended repayment period enables them to reduce their monthly payments by as much as 60% in some cases. This translates into more disposable cash that can be allocated to credit card bills, mortgage or rent payments, as well as auto, food and utility expenses.
2. Simplified finances
Student consolidation of loans facilitates payment since borrowers will only have to issue one check each month to one lender, rather than to multiple lenders on different due dates.
3. Lower interest rate
By consolidating their student loans, graduates will benefit from an interest rate reduction.
4. Longer repayment period
For the majority of student loans, the standard repayment term is 10 years. Consolidation enables borrowers to extend the period up to 30 years. By stretching out the repayment period, monthly payments are significantly reduced and become extremely feasible, particularly for degreed individuals on entry-level salaries.
5. A higher credit score
Student loan consolidation can boost a borrower's credit rating, due to the fact that previous loans have been paid off. When consolidation takes place, the creditor pays in full the borrower's existing loans and combines them into a new loan. The student borrower no longer has numerous open loans with a limited payment history. Previous loans are listed as having been paid in full, and this gives rise to an improved credit rating and an overall enhancement of a borrower's credit profile. With an improved credit score, graduates can freely enter into future credit transactions with minimal hassles.
6. A fixed interest rate
Borrowers who consolidate student loans can lock in a fixed rate of interest for the loan's term. This is financially advantageous in that graduates are protected from any future increases in the interest rate.
7. No pre-payment penalty
Most lenders exempt borrowers who consolidate student loans from pre-payment penalties for early or larger payments. Graduates are granted the prerogative of deciding the time period during which they will repay their debt in full.
8. Savings on automatic payments
Individuals who consolidate their student loans can save time and money by opting for automatic withdrawal of funds from their checking account. Typically, their interest rate is reduced by .25% when they authorize the automatic deduction of payments.
9. Tax benefits
The interest that consolidation applicants pay on their student loans is also tax-deductible.
University graduates who tapped into financial aid stand much to gain from college loan consolidation, which combines existing loans into a new single loan. Student loan consolidation is easy, since 1) there are no credit checks or application fees involved, and 2) the applicant is not required to have collateral, be employed, or have a co-signer. The discussion below highlights the numerous benefits reaped by the average college student who chooses to consolidate student loans:
1. Lower monthly payments and a customized payment plan
Borrowers will be able to select a manageable monthly amount that is tailored to their income level. With the help of a student loan consolidation calculator, they can ascertain the number of years they would need to pay off the student loan at that amount. An extended repayment period enables them to reduce their monthly payments by as much as 60% in some cases. This translates into more disposable cash that can be allocated to credit card bills, mortgage or rent payments, as well as auto, food and utility expenses.
2. Simplified finances
Student consolidation of loans facilitates payment since borrowers will only have to issue one check each month to one lender, rather than to multiple lenders on different due dates.
3. Lower interest rate
By consolidating their student loans, graduates will benefit from an interest rate reduction.
4. Longer repayment period
For the majority of student loans, the standard repayment term is 10 years. Consolidation enables borrowers to extend the period up to 30 years. By stretching out the repayment period, monthly payments are significantly reduced and become extremely feasible, particularly for degreed individuals on entry-level salaries.
5. A higher credit score
Student loan consolidation can boost a borrower's credit rating, due to the fact that previous loans have been paid off. When consolidation takes place, the creditor pays in full the borrower's existing loans and combines them into a new loan. The student borrower no longer has numerous open loans with a limited payment history. Previous loans are listed as having been paid in full, and this gives rise to an improved credit rating and an overall enhancement of a borrower's credit profile. With an improved credit score, graduates can freely enter into future credit transactions with minimal hassles.
6. A fixed interest rate
Borrowers who consolidate student loans can lock in a fixed rate of interest for the loan's term. This is financially advantageous in that graduates are protected from any future increases in the interest rate.
7. No pre-payment penalty
Most lenders exempt borrowers who consolidate student loans from pre-payment penalties for early or larger payments. Graduates are granted the prerogative of deciding the time period during which they will repay their debt in full.
8. Savings on automatic payments
Individuals who consolidate their student loans can save time and money by opting for automatic withdrawal of funds from their checking account. Typically, their interest rate is reduced by .25% when they authorize the automatic deduction of payments.
9. Tax benefits
The interest that consolidation applicants pay on their student loans is also tax-deductible.
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