Students Should Consolidate Student Loans Before July 1 Following Repeal of Single-Lender Rule

Students Should Consolidate Student Loans Before July 1 Following Repeal of Single-Lender Rule
The single-lender rule was repealed June 15, 2006 when President Bush signed the emergency supplemental spending package, H.R. 4939, into law, following the Senate’s approval. In a vote of 98-1, the Senate passed the bill earlier in the day after it passed the House June 13 with a vote of 351-67.
With the repeal of the single-lender rule, student loan borrowers now are able to consolidate their student loans with whichever lender they choose. No longer is there a stipulation that borrowers have to consolidate student loans with their original lender.
President Paves the Way for Students to Benefit
President Bush has awarded student borrowers the opportunity between now and July 1, when interest rates increase, to be able to consolidate and lock in at a much lower interest rate. In less than two weeks on July 1 federal student loans (http://www.nextstudent.com) will be impacted by the second-largest rate increase in the history of the program as rates will rise 1.84 percentage points.
The forthcoming increase on interest rates is due to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, S. 1932, which was passed Feb. 8 when the president signed the bill into law. The bill also included a total of $12.7 billion in cuts to the federal student loan program.
Stafford and PLUS Loan Increases
Interest rate increases will affect various students loans including Stafford and PLUS loans. Student borrowers should take note of the following increases set to take effect: A new fixed rate of 6.8 percent for Stafford loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006; and a new fixed rate of 8.5 percent for PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006.
Borrowers looking to consolidate their outstanding student loans now are in the best possible position, according to NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company. With less than two weeks remaining until the July 1 deadline, there still is time for students to consolidate with the lender of their choice and at a low interest rate.
NextStudent’s Low Rates
NextStudent features a 2.5 percent interest rate for qualified borrowers, with applied benefits. The following benefits are:
• A .60 percent rate reduction for those student borrowers who consolidate after they graduate
• A .25 percent rate reduction for student borrowers who opt to use Auto Debit
• An added 1 percent rate reduction for those student borrowers who make 36 consecutive on-time payments
NextStudent is a well-established company with a reputation for catering to borrowers’ needs. It specializes in consolidation of all forms and offers low rates along with its aggressive benefits and discounts in order to bring to borrowers the best possible advantages of student loan consolidation.
Through student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com/consolidationloans/consolidationloans.asp) all of a student’s loans are combined into one at one low interest rate, making it financially easier for borrowers. Payment terms can be extended and thousands saved over the long term.
The signing of the legislation that repealed the single-lender rule will help student borrowers throughout the country to consolidate their loans with the lender of their choice at a much lower interest rate. However, students are urged to consolidate before the interest rate increase on July 1, less than two weeks away. After that date, rates will increase and students will lose their chance.
NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. Learn more about student loans at http://www.nextstudent.com/.
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Help answer the question about consolidation student loan
What are some good Student Loan Consolidation Companies?These crooks known as Sallie Mae have screwed me. Two years ago I started receiving my student loans, and the interest rate at the time was only 2%. I even have a sheet of paper stating that.
My total in loans was $42,000.
I get my statement in the mail last week and suddenly I owe them $57,000 and they jacked up my interest rate to nearly 18%. I nearly cried. I called Sallie Mae right away stating, I cannot pay $688.00 a month it is just ludicrous.
I only have a couple more weeks to find a cheap, but very respectable loan consolidation company. My sister uses Nelnet, but they haven't gotten back to me yet.
For all of you college graduates what is a cheap, but VERY respectable and honest Student Loan Consolidation company?
You can email me with details if you'd like.
Thank You.
About Author
Jeff Mictabor is an enthusiast on the topic of student loan issues in the news. He has been writing for the past 10 years for a variety of education publications. He now offers his writing services on a freelance basis.
Tagged with: College Debt • College Loans
Filed under: Student Consolidation
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i dont know if any i have listed will help or not, but i'll post it anyway.
i think the first answer was a good post.
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try to aim for grants/scholarships more… they are not to be paid back. its confusing sometimes, but just keep applying. Scholarships usually have a 1 or 2 page application, and require an essay. Take your time with the essay, so yours stands out.
every big (and small) company you see (manufacturer, orgs, corps and groups also) all have grants and scholarships they hand out like candy. Walmart, Kmart, Target, Coke, computer companies etc etc etc
here are some links with a HUGE list of what is available. some you will need to copy and paste into a new window. also, fastweb (take the time to fill it in) will search databases and get back to you with a list of scholarships you qualify for.
Also contact all mens, womens associations in your state, they almost always have grants & scholarships. What ever field you are going into, contact the orgs, associations etc for them; Also check with professional organizations related to your career interests, such as the American Bar Association or the American Medical Association. they also always have scholarships. Research and dig, call then write. Its all worth it.
OVER apply; it doesnt hurt to have too many, and the extra funds can help with housing.
YOU WILL NEED ADOBE READER:
(yes, its free)
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
LIST
http://www.lifebridge.org/gran-list-alph.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/njcomputerchick/school.html
http://www.chrome.org/scholarshiplist.html
MORE & INFO:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-jobs.htm
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/other.phtml
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/
http://www.back2college.com/library/scholarships.htm
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/grants.asp
http://www.gmsp.org
http://www.gmsp.org/gmsp_web/(nb5ctd55gavpfi55bb3a3j45)/scholarships.aspx
http://www.sfa.ufl.edu:16080/scholarshipcafe/
http://www.edsf.org/scholarshipAwards.cfm
http://www.fafsaonline.com/
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
http://www.feea.org/
http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html
http://www.salliemae.com/
http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u®ion=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h
http://www.studentawards.com/
http://www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/
http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/Detailed/Scholarships/Meta_indexes_and_other_scholarship_directories/Women_s_and_Non-traditional_students_scholarships_meta-directory_126.php
NURSING / CNA
http://www.scholarships-ar-us.org/grants/nursing.htm
http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm
http://nursingworld.org/nursecareer/edfund.htm
http://www.medi-smart.com/finaid.htm
http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-scholarship-search
http://www.ncaa.org/about/scholarships.html
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/DSA/nsl.htm
http://www.nsna.org/foundation/
http://www.4cnas.com
http://www.choosenursing.com/
http://www.minoritynurse.com/
http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
http://www.straightforwardmedia.com/nursing/
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/scholarship/
http://www.akaeaf.org/programsandinitiatives/
http://www.schoolsoup.com/
http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm
http://www.jackierobinson.org/
http://www.wilsonfund.org/scholarships/scholarships.shtml
http://www.siemens-foundation.org/TeacherScholarship/
http://www.childcareservices.org/ps/teach.html
http://www.act.org/goldwater/yybull.html
http://www.uncf.org/
http://www.socxfbi.org/login.asp?reason=denied_empty&script_name=/cgi-alumni/adir2.dll&path_info=/search&sitename=FBI&scroll=10&p=1&S=scholarships&x=0&y=0
http://www.finaid.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
http://www.actstudent.org/finaid/scholarshipscams.html
http://www.act.org/recognition/clients.html
http://www.act.org/kfcscholars/index.html
http://www.kfcscholars.org/
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
http://www.collegedata.com/
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.getreadyforcollege.org/gPg.cfm?pageID=139
http://www.policylink.org/EDTK/AH101/Financing.html#4
http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm
BECOMING A TEACHER
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/becoming.htm
http://www.fseog.com/
CHILDREN OF MILITARY
http://www.militaryscholar.org/about/about.shtml
http://www.mcsf.com/site/c.ivKVLaMTIuG/b.1677655/k.BEA8/Home.htm
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm <-do search for ‘scholarships’
http://www.milspouse.org/Educ/Fund/MilFScholar/
http://www.aerhq.org/education_dependentchildren.asp
INTERNSHIPS,
http://www.fasttrackinternships.com/
http://www.internprograms.com/
http://www.brillstreet.com/
http://ceri.msu.edu/
DEPENDENCY or NOT
http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/apply_student_loan/understanding/financial_aid/dependency/
LOAN FORGIVENESS
http://www.pheaa.org/loanforgiveness/healthier_futures.shtml
http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/loanforgiveness.htm
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp?tab=repaying
http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
http://www.aessuccess.org/manage/cant_make_payment/Federal_Teacher_Loan_Forgiveness.shtml
http://www.staffordloan.com/repayment/forgiveness.shtml
http://www.educationplanner.com/ss/code/Profile1.asp?level=u®ion=s&mode=EDIT&sponsor=2859&volume=SS&e&h
STATUS OF LOAN OR AID
http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/
IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR PIN yet (for your loan / aid status) apply for one:
http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp
ESSAY HELP
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/
http://www.gradesaver.com/resources/scholarship.html
http://www.collegeadmissionsessays.com/
http://www.nataviguides.com/broke_essay.html
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/apply/articles/process/essayjump.asp
http://www.scholarshipessay.us/
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-brainstorming.php
http://www.freschinfo.com/tips-topic.php
http://essayedge.com/
http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/scholarshipessay.html
GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SCAM LIST
(if you find a scam report it here too)
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer/media_psas_classads.html
LOANS
http://www.acteducationloans.com/
http://www.finaid.org/loans/educationlenders.phtml
http://www.financialaid.com/plus/index.cfm?id=plusloans
http://www.alternativestudentloan.com/
http://www.parentplusloan.com/
http://www.financialaidpodcast.com/about/
http://www.myspace.com/financialaidpodcast
http://www.FinancialAidPodcast.com
GRAD LOANS & SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.gradloans.com/graduate-plus-loan/
http://www.gfoa.org/services/scholarships.shtml
DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/index.html
CONSOLIDATE LOANS
http://www.plusloanconsolidator.com/
http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/consolidate_student_loans/student_loan_consolidation.htm
http://www.salliemae.com/content/privateconsolidation/index.html
http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/
RATE MY PROFESSORS
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
http://www.iefa.org/
http://www.iefa.org/resources/
http://educationusa.state.gov/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html
http://www.internationalstudent.com/
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/
http://www.internationalstudentloan.com/
http://www.globalslc.com/
http://www.edupass.org/finaid/loans.phtml
http://www.abroadplanet.com/student-loans/the-global-student-loan-corporation/
http://www.salliemae.com/international/
HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIPS
http://www.hsf.net/
http://www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org/
http://www.statefarm.com/about/part_spos/grants/hispanic.asp
http://www.hsfi.org/
http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications/
http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm
Private student consolidation loans are not guaranteed by the gov't – so they're a much higher risk to the lender. Therefore, they're typically based on the credit history of the borrower. It's unlikely you'd get a significantly different interest rate if you shop around to different lenders.
What you can do is get your credit in as good shape as possible before you consolidate, and/or find a cosigner with good credit. This can help bring the interest rate down. The rates may *seem* high, but they're probably lower than a typical credit card or car loan rate, plus the interest on them may be deductible on your taxes.
Your chances are prob pretty good to consolidate federal student loans. Don't consolidate federal student loans in any non-student loan consolidation loans, your interest rate will likely be higher and the interest you pay would no longer be tax deduct able.
The federal consolidation loan has a fixed interest rate, based on the weighted average of the interest rates of the student loans being consolidated, excluding Health Education Assistance Loans (HEALs), rounded up to the nearest 0.125% or 8.25%, whichever is less.
The weighted-average interest rate calculation is based on the official interest rates for the student loans being consolidated, exclusive of any borrower benefit or other special rate discounts.
By law, all lenders are required to use the same interest rate formula for federal consolidation loans. Instead, you should consider customer service, flexible repayment options, online account access and applications, reputation and industry experience when selecting a lender.
Around 600
Since these loans are not backed by the government, most private consolidation loans will be credit based, meaning the interest rate will be set based on your credit history, just like the private loans you have now. If you want a lower rate, spend some time getting your credit score as high as possible and/or find a cosigner with good credit. Both can help lower your rate.
All of my student loans were through Citibank initially, and last year I consolidated through them. They gave me a 5% interest rate which I think is very reasonable. They have also been very helpful on the phone when I had questions and they have never adjusted my interest rates without informing me first. Their website is http://www.studentloan.com and I would recommend them highly.
Generally, a consolidation loan lumps all your student loans into a new loan, with up to 30 years to pay back and a fixed interest rate. It really makes it easy if you have student loans scattered across different lenders/servicers.
The key word in your statement is 'up to $2000', if you have a lower balance, you probably will not get that much as a credit. Yes, you would get a credit, not cash back.
And if you do get 'up to $2000', believe me, you will pay for it eventually. There's no such thing as a free lunch (imo).