Lowering interest rates have made student loan consolidation interest rates an option being considered by many people. Nearly 80% of students have some type of student loan by the time they graduate and the average loan for a student is $10,000. For many students and parents, education loans have come from several sources, have varying interest rates, and have higher payments that one is comfortable with.
Federal education loans and private education loans are considered two separate types loan when one is thinking about consolidation. The ways that these loans and interest rates are calculated when consolidating is very different. The government has a structured method for calculating student consolidation loans. Private lenders calculations can vary and are calculated differently.
The federal government figures student loan consolidation rates by taking the average weighted interest rate of all the loans and rounding up to the nearest 1/8%. In most cases the loan’s interest rate will be between the lowest and highest interest rates that a person currently pays. The highest that the interest rate will go is 8 1/4%.
There are some instances when an individual with a PLUS student loan will be able to receive a lower rate by consolidating. The cap on a PLUS student loan is 8.5%. However, when the PLUS is consolidated, the cap is 8.25%. By consolidating the PLUS loan a student can save 0.25%. This is called the PLUS Loan Loophole.
Interest on a private education loan is calculated using the prime rate or London Interbank Offered Rate with an additional one to five percent origination fee. The origination fee is based on a person’s credit score. The origination fee normally is included in the loan and there is not an upfront fee required.
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.
If a person has a lot of student loans with different lenders. Or, if they have several different government loans that must be paid individually, it is often more convenient to consolidate into one loan. By consolidating an individual will be paying one interest rate on their loans to one lender. In addition, the payment of their loan will usually be less because the loan is extended longer than the original loan. However, it is important to consider whether or not the long term payment of interest will result in a significantly higher loan. Talking to a professional who can discuss options and types of student loan interests rates that will best meet ones needs is an important step before consolidating.
Looking for the lowest student loan consolidation rate? Undergraduate student loans may be the best option for you.
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- Loans And Other Funding For School – Student Loan Consolidation Calculator
- Financial Options For College – Student Loan Consolidation Calculator
- Overview Of Student Loan Consolidation Interest Rates
- Student Loan Consolidation Interest Rates
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