Avoiding Fees with Student Loan Consolidations

If student loan obligations, credit card debts and other bills have you struggling to keep up with your payments each month, you may save money on late fees with a student loan consolidation. Many students use multiple loans to complete their education. These loans may have different interest rates and may be handled by different lenders. Student loan consolidation simplifies the process of repaying your loans and reduces the amount of your payments by combining two or more debts in a single loan with lower interest.

Lenders and credit bureaus take late student loan payments very seriously. If you're even 30 days late on a student loan payment, you will be charged late fees and may be reported to credit bureaus. As late fees add up, you may have trouble paying other bills, which will result in further late fees. Student loan consolidation is one way to break this vicious cycle and reduce your financial stress. Consolidation loans are available through the US Department of Education or through banks and other private lenders which may or may not allow you to lower interest rates with collateral.

When to Consolidate Student Loans

A deferment or forbearance on your student loan may help you manage your finances and avoid fees if you aren't earning enough income to cover all your bills. However, these measures are only temporary, and if you defer your loans, you will eventually have to resume payments. In addition, your loan may continue to accrue interest during the time that you're postponing your payments.

Student loan consolidation can be a helpful solution if you make multiple payments to different lenders and you want to streamline your budget. By making a single student loan payment instead of two or more, you'll be less likely to incur late fees by forgetting to make a payment. You may also be a good candidate for a consolidation if you're paying variable rates for different loans.

When you consolidate student loans, you may have the option lower your monthly payments by extending the repayment time. While this approach will save you money in the short term, you will end up paying more for your loan because of the added interest. On the other hand, if you can avoid late fees and maintain a healthy credit rating by lowering your payments, extending your repayment term may be the preferable option.

How to Arrange a Consolidation

Before you consolidate your loans, compare interest rates offered by several financial institutions. Private banks offer consolidation loans at reasonable interest rates with flexible repayment terms. You may also arrange a federal direct consolidation loan through the US Department of Education.

Applying for a student consolidation loan is similar to applying for other types of loans. When you apply, you will be asked to provide information about your current student loans, your income, your spouse's income and your financial history. A lender will consider the amounts you owe, the amount of money you earn and other information that indicates whether you are able to repay your debts. If you qualify, your current loans will be paid off using funds from your new loan, and you will make one payment to one lender each month.

After your loans have been consolidated, you may find that it's easier to avoid late fees on your other bills as well as your student loan payments. By avoiding late payments, you can maintain a strong credit score or rebuild a damaged credit history. Consolidating your debts can be an effective way to streamline your financial obligations, boost your credit rating and relieve your worries about your financial future.