Student Loan Consolidation Interest Rates – What You Should Know

Almost eighty percent of students get some type of student loan to get through college. Most of these student loans average ten thousand dollars. Students who received their loans before the interest rates began to fall may be paying higher rates than are available now. For some people the student loan consolidation interest rates that are available today can significantly lower both the interest rate of a loan and the monthly payment for the loan.

Education loans fall into two categories, Federal education and Private education loans. When a student is considering consolidation it is important to keep these categories separated. The method for calculating consolidation interest rates for federal education loans are strictly regulated by the government. The education loans provided by private lenders do fall under the same restrictions and requirements and can vary greatly depending of the lender gave the loan.

Student loan consolidation interest rates for federal loans are calculated by taking the average rate of all of the loans and rounding up to the nearest 1/8%. The loan, then will fall somewhere between the highest interest and the lowest interest. The maximum rate is 8.25%.

There are some instances when an individual with a PLUS student loan will be able to receive a lower rate by consolidating. The cap on a PLUS student loan is 8.5%. However, when the PLUS is consolidated, the cap is 8.25%. By consolidating the PLUS loan a student can save 0.25%. This is called the PLUS Loan Loophole.

Calculations for private education loans are based on the prime interest rate or LIBOR and the margin for the borrower and co-signer. The margin is the credit score that a person has. In addition, there is an origination fee that is usually between one and five percent which is added to the loan. This is why is is important to compare lenders and the rates that they will charge for consolidation.

Included in the total loan of a private education consolidation will be any deferred interest from the original loans. Lenders capitalize the deferred interest of the original loan and add it. In addition any money that must be paid back to the original lender, such as discounts that were given for getting the loan, are also added to the total loan.

The benefits of consolidation is that all of a person’s loans are in one location and the same interest rate is being paid. In addition, the repayment period is often longer than the original repayment period so the monthly payment will be lower. However, it is important to consider what the final cost of getting a consolidation will be compared to maintaining the original loan. It is also important to talk to a professional who can talk about the options that are available to help an individual find the best interest rates that are available.

Looking for the lowest student loan consolidation rate? Undergraduate student loans may be the best option for you.