Jeff Mictabor asked:


If you’re a graduate or college parent with any outstanding federal student loans, you may be able to lower your monthly student loan payments by up to 42% just by consolidating your parent or student loans. When you consolidate your college loans, you may be able to extend the repayment term on your parent or student loans by up to 20 years. With that longer repayment term, since you have more time to repay, the amount you have to pay each month will typically go down.

NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, offers a student loan consolidation program with no application fees, no processing fees, and no credit checks. By consolidating your parent or student loans, your monthly payments could go down by up to 42%.

Here’s an example: Estimated monthly payments on a $75,000 NextStudent Federal Consolidation Loan fixed at 7.25% and repaid over an extended term of 30 years are $512, versus estimated monthly payments of $879 on a $75,000 Federal Stafford Loan issued at 7.22% and repaid over 10 years — a 41.8% reduction in monthly payment amount. (Your actual payment reduction may vary and will depend on the terms of the student loans you’re consolidating.)

Replace Your Variable-Rate Student Loans With One Fixed-Rate Student Loan Consolidation

If you took out your Federal PLUS Loans or Stafford Loans prior to July 1, 2006, those student loans are subject to variable interest rates that will adjust every year. So when interest rates rise, your monthly student loan payments may also go up. Student loan consolidation puts an end to rate increases and rising payments.

NextStudent’s student loan consolidation program gives you the security of a fixed interest rate. By consolidating your federal college loans with NextStudent, you’ll replace your variable-rate college loans with a fixed-rate student loan consolidation loan and lock in your new monthly payments, so you’ll never have to worry about interest rates rising and leaving you guessing about your monthly payment amount.

Make Repaying Your Student Loans Convenient and Hassle-Free with Student Loan Consolidation

If you have multiple college loans in repayment and you’re dealing with the hassle of multiple bills, multiple due dates, and multiple monthly payments to multiple lenders, a student loan consolidation could help make your repayment easier to manage.

With a student loan consolidation program, you can bundle all your eligible federal parent or student loans into one single consolidation loan with just one monthly bill, one lender, and one monthly payment that’s fixed for the life of your student loan consolidation.

Apply in Minutes to Consolidate Your Student Loans

Typically, you can apply for a student loan consolidation in minutes. Just visit an online student loan consolidation lender or make a quick phone call to the lender of your choice. It’s fast, easy, and free to apply, and there are NO fees, NO credit checks, and NO co-signers required.

There are also no prepayment penalties. When you consolidate your federal parent or student loans with NextStudent, you’ll never be charged extra for paying more than the minimum each month or for paying off your student loan consolidation early.

Student Loan Consolidation for Private Student Loans

If you have private student loans in addition to (or instead of) your federal student loans, you won’t be able to consolidate your private student loans under the federal student loan consolidation program. But you may be eligible to consolidate your private loans separately with a Private Consolidation Loan, which offers the same convenience of a single consolidated loan for your private student loans.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we’re dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Debt asked:


Student Loan consolidation can be the best friend of any student who has just completed their course and graduated from their college or university. Most students who just come out of their college and universities find it very hard to maintain their monthly expenses as they have a bigger burden to repay their student loans taken out during their academic years and for those students who had relied on these loans heavily, consolidation can be an even better option.

Private loans normally have huge interest rates compared to that of federal loans and given the fact that a private loan repayment is hanging over your head when you are about to complete your graduation can be much more worrisome. Though a student can consolidate their private loan through a federal loan but that is somewhat impossible to get for the majority of students. However reducing the amount of monthly loan repayments can be a huge relief if the student acts accordingly to get the loan amount reduced or repayments period gets increased significantly by the lender company.

Apply for Student Debt Consolidation Loan

A cosigner is required with a private loan, though a student might not require a cosigner to consolidate their private student debt consolidation but having a cosigner can reduce the interest rate significantly to a lower rate and might even end up having a zero interest rate if the credit rating of the cosigner is above average. A lot of companies provide services of cosigner release benefits which mean that if a student is able to make the payments on time as estimated in the contract then the cosigner will be completely released from the debt.

With increase in consolidation methods, many companies are providing automatic private loan consolidation offers with their private student loans. For an example some companies are providing borrowers with interest only payments which mean that the amount of money paid as interest can get lowered and the actual loan can be consolidated. This allows the borrowers to save huge amounts of money over a longer period of time. Moreover many companies simply increase the repayment period by ten years or so which significantly lowers the amount of money to be repaid each month. However in most cases a borrower of a student loan is not penalized in case he or she is not able to repay the loan in time if it has been processed through a student debt consolidation plan.

Private student debt consolidation loans can be really worrisome for students who are about to graduate from their college and university. Moreover with the transitional phase of changing their career it can be more troublesome to any new graduates as they don’t get enough guidance on how to choose a new career. With tuition fees rising each year and more and more debt incurred during their college, private loans can be a huge burden on any new graduate student. A student loan consolidation plan can provide great relief for such student as it reduces the time of their repayment and allows the student to think more on their career goal.

John Hasenauer asked:


Want to save money on paying your mortgage? Want to know how? Well, refinancing is the best solution to that. However, it is not applicable to all situations. You have to take in considerations before doing so. Look for low refinance rates and be able to have that peace of mind you have always dreamed of. Mortgage refinance becomes an easy thing to deal with once you have found low refinance rates in no time. First of all, what is refinancing in the first place? It is actually securing a loan to pay your previous loan with the same assets and property at stake.

Low refinance rates are the ones you need when you opt to go into refinancing. What are the numerous benefits of it? Low refinance rates have a lot of advantages. First is that low refinance rates reduce the cost of interest. In this way, you can invest more money at the end of the year. Moreover, you will have extra cash when you need it for emergency purposes and surprise bills. These low refinance rates are actually lesser than the previous loan you have applied for. So it allows you to have spare cash at times when you need it.

Next thing is that low refinance rates actually lower monthly mortgage payment. Since you have a form of back up loan, this will surely extend the period of loan but with a lower interest rate. As a matter of fact, it will help you in paying your previous loan without so much to worry about. Low refinance rates will continuously reduce your payments as time goes by. But wait a minute. How much do you have in your credit? For you to avail of the low refinance rates, you should have a stable credit score. If you have such a bad credit reputation, then it might certainly affect your payment scheme. So what could be the best thing to do?

Well, you can look for low refinance rates and refinance your loan and invest the money for future payments and manage it well. Low refinance rates can certainly help you with paying your original loan but make sure that you know how to handle it. However, do not get dependent on it. There are rules and regulations so you have to think about the closing costs as well as the penalties you might incur if you mismanage your payments. So where can you get low refinance rates?

You might want to check out the site Smartquote to have a full view of the services they offer. If you need financial assistance on your loans, then you can definitely rely on them. You can get low refinance rates if you work hand in hand with them. They know how to give you a mortgage loan that will not hurt your pocket. They offer different kinds of loans and low refinance rates you can avail of. Don’t let your bills pile up and make a way to refinance them. Here at Smartquote you will have an array of choices. From low refinance rates to insurance savings, debt relief and so much more.

John Hasenauer asked:


If you find yourself looking for some ways to get extra funds in order to make large but somewhat important purchases, your best bet would be to go for a cash out refinance. This is because cash out refinance will ensure you of a better interest rate even if you are looking for loans in order to buy the home of your dreams. This is a better option as evidenced by the growing number of homeowners who are looking to cash out refinance in order to solve their money and loan dilemmas.

The great thing about cash out refinance is that it offers several enticing advantages that will surely have you convinced of this really swell idea. But at the same time, cash out refinance also comes with its own set of pitfalls you might be able to avoid if you are keen on being a really smart buyer. To start off, cash out refinance is a type of approach which also includes being able to create newer types of mortgage loans for whatever purpose it may serve.

Cash out refinance offers you the great option of refinancing by sticking with your own current lender of being able to choose a new potential mortgage lender you would like to establish a relationship with. When it comes to cash out refinance, the old loan that you have before will then be replaced and you will then transfer the new mortgage payments to whoever will be your new lender. A lot of homeowners refinance for several reasons.

One reason for engaging in cash out refinance by these homeowners is that because of these low mortgage rates, being able to refinance for a very low rate is a really perfect way for putting a decrease to your monthly payments. Aside from this, cash out refinance also offer a good adjustable rate mortgage with generally points to a refinance that has a low fixed rate acquisition. Cash out refinance also comes with some benefits for those who want to have some extra funds.

The enticing option of cash out refinance will also involve the creation of a new mortgage option while at the same time borrowing some of the equity of your own home. As such, your new mortgage total will then surpass of exceed the amount that was state before. Cash out refinance is a very ideal option for homeowners who have old homes and require some upgrades. This type of solution will work best because it can really finance your project without too many hitches on the part of the solution.

As such, the type of funds that may be granted to you as cash out would also be used as a great capital for you to start a business or even plan for your retirement, as well as paying for college expenses of even some personal debts you may need to pay off. Indeed, cash out refinance is a solid decision you can make which you will truly enjoy the benefits that come with it.

Ed Pearson, Debt Dr asked:


You’re sitting there one day, off from work due to the stress of your unsecured debts weighing heavily upon your shoulders. Suddenly, in the background noise from the TV you hear a fantastic deal – consolidate your existing debts into ‘one easy affordable loan’. You think wow, just what I need to get my debts under control and you get the sales blurb.

Sounds great doesn’t it?

Debt consolidation in the UK is not a new phenomena these days. It’s been around a while. Lots of people have taken out debt busting consolidation loans. So why is the amount of debt in the UK still rising so fast? And why are bankruptcies, IVA’s and debt counselling services stretched to their limits and running at all time high figures right now? Well people get sold on the advantages but I’d recommend thinking about the disadvantages too!

Advantages of debt consolidation UK

Well the interest rate normally comes down on the unsecured debt amount borrowed making the monthly payments easier to afford.

Your debts come under control quickly so the annoying telephone calls and letters from irate creditors stops.

Disadvantages of debt consolidation UK (this is the bit they don’t want you to think too hard about)

To get a debt consolidation loan usually requires some form of property. By consolidating the unsecured debts to your home some of the equity has now been lost. So what was once an unsecured debt now forms part of a charge over your property. Every legal advert in the UK selling this type of service will point out in the small print that your home is at risk if you fail to keep up payments on (this now larger) secured loan. So you’ve put more risk onto your property. I regularly meet people who have bought their house maybe 20 years ago for figures like £80,000 on a house worth £110,000 to find that a decade on they have a house worth (say) £180,000 with a new debt consolidated mortgage of £150,000. So they still only have a similar amount of equity in the property but also have a mortgage now nearly double in size!

Another disadvantage is that the term of the borrowing is usually increased. Well sometimes the debt consolidation companies in the UK will sell that as a benefit with a line like ‘you can take longer to pay your debt and allow yourself time to get on top of your borrowing over the coming years’. I find that an odd statement. You have doubled your mortgage in a decade and you have found yourself in debt but suddenly your spending habits will change and you’ll be debt free at some point in the future. What are your thoughts as you read that? Another interesting point arises here. Because the term is often longer, you will possibly end up paying much more of your hard earned money for that unsecured borrowing by the time you pay off your new secured lending.

Did the debt consolidation company ask what your lifetime ambitions are? You see, you may have got out of the immediate debt issues but you may just also have signed away the possibility of that early retirement / new car / that holiday to see your family down under too. You see, if the amount you are paying back is higher than you had budgeted for then you may need to work longer to achieve your dreams. Was this discussed with you?

Did you consider at least 6 solutions for getting our of debt trouble before you decided on your debt consolidation loan? Can the company you speak to even name 6 solutions for getting out of debt trouble? If not then you have ignored several other options that may have been more suitable for the financial position you found yourself in. It’s rare indeed to find loan and mortgage brokers that are fully trained in solutions to tackle insolvency and debt issues. They have their offering and will talk about the monthly repayment figures to demonstrate how you could be better off, but is it the best way forward? Well naturally, that depends on your situation.

A final word on debt consolidation in the UK

Now, I do believe that debt consolidation has its place but I also think that there could be more done to understand that there are other options for getting out of debt. Getting the right debt help and advice is essential. Look at the advantages and the disadvantages for each solution you consider for debt resolution and then make a more informed decision.

There are more options for getting out of debt trouble then most people realise, that includes debt consolidation but is not limited to just that course of action.

If you would like to know what the 6 solutions to debt in the UK are then you can get debt help and advice from Ed Pearson at Debt Dr.

This article does not constitute regulated advice. Please remember that any action regarding financial advice should always be taken only after considering the specifics of your own situation.

To find out more about Ed try, http://www.advice4debt.co.uk/debtquiz.htm

Ed Pearson is a Debt Dr offering debt help and advice to individuals and small businesses across the UK.

Whilst you may love the stuff he writes, you should only ever take action once you have considered your own set of financial circumstances with a professional. This article does not constitute financial advice.