College students who are trying to pay off their loans are being increasingly troubled by their student debt. Colleges have increased fees considerably lately and students are finding it extremely difficult to pay for college. Student loans are the only solution to most of the college students and in order to be able to repay their student debt many of them have to resort to debt consolidation.
When a student is looking forwards to his graduation, the repayment of loans burdens him and don't let them concentrate on other financial problems and projects. Repayment of loan can be frightening for some students and their parents. Graduate level students often owe more than $24000, while those studying medicine or law accumulate even more debt due to the high prices of books and material related to those disciplines.
Repayment Starts Too Early
It becomes imperative to seek a solution to the question as to how a student can repay these growing loans. Federally guaranteed student loans are traditionally issued at variable rates with a rather short repayment term. This arrangement sometimes contributes to the problem. In many cases, students who have not even joined the workforce yet, have to start repaying their debt.
Consolidating Federal Student Loans
Students have the option to consolidate their federal educational loans by locking in at current interest rates. By doing so, students get the best possible interest rates, reduce the additional amount they will pay in the future and have the convenience of a single payment each month.
Students can extend the loan terms for a longer period of time of up to 30 years. This solution lowers the students' monthly payments but the interest rates are accumulated for a longer period thus increasing the total amount due at the end of the period. Students can also combine many loans or several disbursements into one loan, thus edging the concept of Loan Consolidation.
A Student should be a graduate in order to opt for loan consolidation. This consolidation process must be started early. It is better to start at the time when the student is a fresher. Consolidation would lock federal education loans at low rates but any loans the students take from then on would be subject to change of annual interest rate. As the interest rate changes, the students' final consolidation rate will be calculated based on the average for the various rates they have paid. The students who consolidate are given the opportunity only once unless they exclude a loan or incur in more debt. Consolidation provides a single installment instead of several payments.
Private Student Debt
Though the rates are fixed only by federal government, many lenders offer special incentives to good customers. Some offer discounts if the students allow the lender to automatically withdraw the payments from the bank account. Others offer additional incentives like rewards for timely payments.
Another Debt Reduction Alternative
Students are also free to pay back the loans by performing community services under different government programs. It is not always the solution for every loan to be consolidated. Those holding Perkins Loans should investigate the possibilities of having their loans forgiven.