December 10, 2009
Overview Of Student Loan Consolidation Interest Rates
Almost eighty percent of students get some type of student loan to get through college. Most of these student loans average ten thousand dollars. Students who received their loans before the interest rates began to fall may be paying higher rates than are available now. For some people the student loan consolidation interest rates that are available today can significantly lower both the interest rate of a loan and the monthly payment for the loan.
When one has federal education loans student loan consolidation interest rates are very straightforward. The method for setting the interest rate on these loans is established and the regulations are very strict. However, the rates vary greatly on private education loans and are calculated with many factors included. When one is consolidating student loans they will want to consolidate their federal education loans separately from their private education loans to take advantage of the benefits available.
When consolidating a student loan the government takes the interest average of all the loans and rounds up to the closest one-eighth percent. The interest rate will be between the highest and lowest interest that is currently paid to a cap of 8 1/4%.
For students who have a PLUS loan there can be an advantage to consolidating their loan. The maximum interest rate for a PLUS education loan is 8.5%. The maximum interest rate on a PLUS loan consolidating is 8.25%. A student paying the maximum interest rate for a PLUS loan can instantly save 1/4% by consolidating their loan.
Calculations for private education loans are based on the prime interest rate or LIBOR and the margin for the borrower and co-signer. The margin is the credit score that a person has. In addition, there is an origination fee that is usually between one and five percent which is added to the loan. This is why is is important to compare lenders and the rates that they will charge for consolidation.
Deferred interest will also affect the total of a consolidation loan. Lenders usually capitalize the deferred interest of the original loan and include that in the consolidation. There also be discounts and benefits that must be paid back to the original lender when the loan is consolidated.
Consolidating student loans will extend the repayment period of the loan and lower one’s monthly payment. It will also allow an individual to make one payment to a single lender for their education loan. But, it is important to talk to a professional about the many student consolidation interest rates that are available when finding a private lender. In some cases a person’s interest rate will not be lowered enough by consolidation to make the extended payments of a loan worthwhile. By doing research and finding the best rates a person can significantly lower their payments and have one interest rate that will offset the higher rates that were being paid previously.
Looking for the lowest student loan consolidation rate? Undergraduate student loans may be the best option for you.
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