calculating your rate

If you plan to consolidate your student loans and will have various rates (examples would include someone that has consolidated in the past as well as someone consolidating Perkins Loans), this site will be helpful in determining your overall "weighted average."


federal loan consolidation strategies

The question is commonly asked, "Where should I consolidate my student loans?" The expectation is that there is a 'best' place. The answer? Where you consolidate should be a function of how you plan to repay your loans. Someone planning on repaying their loans quickly should consolidate [for financial purposes] with a different company than someone that plans to extend the repayment of their loans. Read more ...


private/alternative loan consolidation

Contrary to popular belief, alternative loans can be consolidated. You DO NOT want to consolidate them with your federal loans, but depending on your individual situation (particularly your credit), consolidation of your alternative loans may make sense. More times than not, it doesn't ... Step #1, look at the benefits your current lender provides; Step #2, take a look at the loan options provided with the link. You can't do this until after graduation ...


repayment options

Loan repayment is designed to be allowed to be very flexible and adaptable to meet your individual needs. During repayment, you can switch your repayment option at any time if you have the need. Standard, Extended, Graduated, and Income-Contingent repayment plans are all discussed in detail.


state federal loan consolidation programs

Student loan consolidation can be tricky to address as you are bombarded with solicitations regularly. Being able to differentiate between programs is important. Ultimately, boiling things down financially (only tangible difference between programs!), you want to look at the borrower benefits the company provides - an average company will provide a .25% rate reduction for automatic payments. Some state programs [available to you] offer MUCH better benefits - among them are North Carolina (2.25% reduction), South Carolina, and New Hampshire. Read more ...


what will my student loan payment be

This loan payment calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments and the annual salary required to manage them. The calculator can be used for both federal and alternative loans, but the assumption is made that the loan rate will be fixed - not the case with most alternative loans. If you would like to review the merits of graduated payment and separate subsidized and unsubsidized loans, this Access Group calculator will work well.