Consolidation of Private Student Loans
Consolidation of Private Student Loans in general cannot be consolidated with federal student loans. Federal consolidation loans which are on low interest rates are not available to private education loans. On the other hand, there are several options for refinancing and consolidation of private student loans is available.
Most private education loans do not contend on price, a consolidation of private student loans is simply replacing one or more private education loans with another lender. Therefore the main advantage of such a consolidation is to have a single consolidated monthly payment. Also, since the consolidation of private student loans is for a new term of the loan, this may reduce the monthly payment initially (at a cost, of course, of increasing the total interest paid over the lifetime of the loan) in longer term you may end up paying more.
On the other hand the interest rates on private student loans are initially based on your credit score; you may be able to get a lower interest rate through a consolidation of private student loans if your credit score has improved considerably since you first obtained the loan. For example, if you’ve graduated and now have a good job and have been building a very good credit history by paying some of you existing credit card and or loans, your credit score may have improved. Once your credit score has increased by more than 40-110 points, you may be able to get a much lower interest rate by consolidation of private student loans with another lender. You may also try talking to the current lender of your loans, to see if they will lower the interest rate on your loans rather than move your loans to another lender as you may have to pay additional fees and charges.
Consolidation of Private Student Loans Benefits
Make Low Monthly Payments: Benefits of consolidation of private student loans, borrowers can lower their monthly out going payment by extending the repayment term of their private student loan debt.
Reduced Interest Rates: Borrowers can get much lower Student Loan Interest rates with better credit rating. Current loan lenders will not reduce your interest rate if your credit has improved.
Rate Reductions: Consolidation of private student loans borrowers can apply on their own or with a credit-worthy co-signer for private student loan consolidation. Co-signers and Borrower with much better credit may receive very lower APR their loans.
Internship, Residency and Military Deferment benefits: A 3 year deferred payment for all active-duty military personnel and A 4 year deferred payment for medical/dental residents also available to consolidation of private student loans.
No Prepayment Penalties: If you make extra payments other than scheduled payments that will go directly to reduce principal, which will reduce your outstanding balance and interest payments.
Repayment Term: Graduate student borrowers normally can receive up to a 360 month repayment term and Undergraduate student loans borrowers can receive up to a 300 month repayment term which offers the lowest possible monthly payment for consolidation of private student loans.