Student Loans

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When getting loans you should always understand what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up. So here are 4 important facts you should know about consolidating student loans.

Fact 1: Same Interest Rates For Everyone At The Start
All federal student loan consolidation rates must start with the same rates that are suggested by Congress every year. Student loan consolidation companies are required to give everyone the same federal rates

Fact 2: You Save Money On The Benefits
If it’s your first time consolidating your loan then the real savings are in the benefits and discounts of signing up.

Standard benefit: 0. 25% off your rate for using automatic checking account withdrawal.
Standard benefit: 0. 6% off your repayment rate if you consolidate in your grace period.
Extra benefit: if you have more than $20,000 in federal student loans, 1. 0% off after your first 36 on time payments.

Ok let’s start with a scenario, of $25,000 in federal Stafford loans and your rate before 1 July 2006 is at 3. 37%. If you’re still in your grace period (6 months before your payments start only for graduates) you’re rate will decrease to 2. 875%.

Automatic checking account withdrawal will reduce is further to 2. 625% and after your 36th on time payments your rates will drop a further 1. 0% to a new low of 1. 625%. This is how the benefits of student loan consolidation really works and it really saves you a lot of money.

Fact 3: Read The Fine Print Before You Sign Anything!
Some loan companies will give you a list of borrower’s benefits for signing up with them. For example if you make 24 on time payments you’ll get 1% off which is great but in the fine print it’s only available for loans above $50,000. Statistically, only 17% of all graduates will have a loan debt this high so it’s not advised to sign up with this particular company.

Other companies give even better benefits like 2. 5% off your rate but they’ll only give you a grace period of 3 days. That’s not going to work because what happens if your mail got delayed or worse you didn’t check your mail? It means that you’ll loose your benefits so be careful and always read the fine print.

Fact 4: Good Customer Service Is Important
Some student loan companies will do anything to make you call them but when you do you find yourself lost because some companies don’t train their phone staff well and they fail to answer simple questions. So when ringing up loan companies make sure they are well versed in their products and they know their products and rates. Also make sure that when you wait on the phone for a consultant, that you don’t wait too long like 1 hour because it could mean they are under staff or they are taking on too many applications at one time which means they might not always be able to take your call after you’ve sign up.

I hope these facts will help you in your decision and may you have a successful time finding the best student loan consolidation company.

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One thing you will agree with me is that everyone would like to join a good college or university where all your interests will be met. But many people articulate that these learning institutions are very expensive and can not be afforded. Well I do not agree with them because, you can get to this specific university or college you aspire to join. All you need to know is that student loans offering institutions are available for you.

The best and the most affordable student loan one should consider is the Federal Stafford Student Loan. The Federal Stafford Student Loan is very popular and is changing the lives of many people around the world who are taking the step of applying for it. This is the only one of a kind loan offering loans with or without financial need. It does not care about how much you and your family can afford or put in to help pay for your education. That means anyone can apply for it regardless of the financial status.

Federal Student Loan is a low cost loan secured by the federal government and it comes along with so many other benefits that one would dream for. For instance eligibility for federal loan consolidation, repayment is postponed until you are done with college, the loans are given to students under their own names therefore you do not need any co-signer and again no security or credit check is required at all. Another good thing about Federal Stafford loans is that you will receive a certain grace period to allow you settle down after college and start paying when you can most comfortably pay for the Stafford loan. In the Federal Stafford loans website you will be in a position to learn about repayment terms available for you according to the kind of a Stafford loan you decide to take like standard repayment, graduated repayment terms etc. Get more information about this and you will understand what I am talking about.

To kick-start the application process for a Stafford Student Loan you will need to fill a FAFSA form, submit it and be accepted. Do this as early as possible to avoid rushing with the deadlines. If you are accepted the federal government will confirm your eligibility to the Stafford Student Loans officials who in turn will guide you on what to do. Having passed all the requirements like being a U. S. permanent resident or eligible non-citizen, enrolled or planning to enroll at least half time etc. , then decide on applying for a Stafford Loan. One thing you will need to know is that you need to choose any of the available Stafford Loans according to your choice. You will need to decide between subsidized loans and unsubsidized types of Stafford loans. For the subsidized Stafford loans the federal government pays the interests for you while school. However you must have financial need determined by your School. For the unsubsidized Stafford loans you are required to pay the interest for yourself for an agreed payment period.

If you do not qualify for the subsidized loan which is based on need, you may qualify for the unsubsidized loan. There is no cause for alarm since the two loans have similar terms except for the differences aforementioned. So go for this wonderful and considerate Federal Stafford Loan and enjoy the great benefits.

Poly Muthumbi, a Web Administrator, Has Been Researching and Reporting on Student Loans for Years. For More Information on Stafford Student Loans, Visit Her Site at Federal Stafford Student Loan

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