Reduce Your Student Loans
There are traditionally two refinancing options — student loan consolidation or student loan refinancing. Student loan consolidation is a government program that combines multiple federal student loans into a single loan. The borrower gets a new interest rate that is a weighted average of your prior loan rates. If your monthly payment decreases, it’s likely the result of lengthening the term, which can mean paying more interest over time. For these reasons, consolidation is generally not a money-saving option. Not to mention, consolidation is only an option for federal student loans, not private student loans.
Student Loan Refinancing
Student loan refinancing is when a private lender pays off your student loans so that you only owe a single loan to the private lender. This new loan will have new terms, including length of repayment and interest rate. Depending on those terms, refinancing can be a money-saving option, but typically the student must have a great credit score and income.
Unfortunately, consolidation and student loan refinancing only go so far. Neither option actually reduces the principal amount owed by a student. They can only offer savings on interest, if that. With the large amount of debt that many students are carrying, a reduction in interest will not have significant impact. A principal reduction will. The only option for getting a principal reduction on student loans is to obtain a student loan settlement or discharge. To explore these options, a student needs to consult with an attorney – these are legal options, not bank options. An experienced debt attorney like our attorneys at McCarthy Law, will negotiate with your lender to secure the reduction or discharge of your loans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Loan Consolidation
How do I know if I should consolidate my student loans?
Debt consolidation requires you to pay back the full amount your creditors claim due plus interest, meaning it almost always costs significantly more money. Consolidating can also take as long or longer than debt settlement and has no better effect on your credit score.
Am I able to consolidate my student loans with the government more than once?
No, consolidating your student loans means combining multiple federal student loans into a single loan with a single monthly payment. While you can refinance student loans more than once, bearing that you meet the lender’s refinance requirements, you cannot re-consolidate a single loan.
Can a student loan attorney assist me with student loan consolidation?
Student loan consolidation only goes so far and does not actually reduce the principal amount you owe on federal student loans. The only option for getting a principal reduction is to obtain a student loan settlement or discharge. For that, an experienced debt attorney like those at McCarthy Law will negotiate with your lender to secure the reduction or discharge of your loans.
What loans can I include in my consolidation?
Student loan consolidation is a government program that’s only an option for federal student loans, not private student loans.