04/26/2024
If you're juggling older federal student loans with variable interest rates, and the current rates are at a low point, consolidating might just be the smart move for you.
When you consolidate, your interest rates become the weighted average of your existing loans. Just keep in mind, that if your loans have fixed rates, consolidation won't do much for your interest rate – in fact, it might even nudge it slightly higher.
Now, consolidating isn't necessarily a must for everyone. These days, the Department of Education usually handles all your student loans through one servicer, making management a breeze. Plus, features like automatic payments can simplify things even further, even if you have loans spread out across different places.
But here's where consolidation shines: if you're eyeing Public Service Loan Forgiveness and have Federal Family Education Loan or Perkins loans, consolidating can open up that opportunity for you.
And if you're dealing with Parent Plus loans, consolidation could make you eligible for the income-contingent repayment plan. It's also worth noting that consolidation can be a lifeline if your federal loans are in default.
So, while it might not be for everyone, there are definitely situations where it's worth considering.
📣 Worth noting:
When you consolidate, you're essentially trading in your existing loans for a shiny new one. But here's the thing: any progress you've made towards forgiveness through income-driven repayment plans or Public Service Loan Forgiveness won't carry over to this new loan.
Yep, it's like hitting reset on your payments for those forgiveness programs.
But hold on a sec! If you're thinking about consolidating before April 30, 2024, there's good news.
Thanks to a one-time account adjustment, your counts won't reset to zero. Instead, they'll be restored later in 2024 after the adjustment kicks in.
So, if you're in the process of consolidation or planning to do it soon, you'll get a weighted average of the counts from your existing loans. Keep that in mind as you weigh your options!
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