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Consolidating Student Loans

Consolidating student loans can be a useful strategy for managing and paying off your education debt. When you consolidate your loans, you combine multiple loans into a single loan with a single monthly payment. This can make it easier to keep track of your payments and potentially save you money on interest.

There are two main types of student loan consolidation: federal and private. Federal consolidation is only available for federal student loans, and it allows you to combine multiple federal loans into a single Direct Consolidation Loan. Private consolidation, also known as refinancing, is available for both federal and private student loans. It involves taking out a new loan from a private lender to pay off your existing loans.

There are several potential benefits to consolidating student loans. First, it can make your monthly payments more manageable by consolidating multiple payments into a single payment. This can be especially helpful if you have a high debt-to-income ratio or if you’re struggling to keep up with multiple monthly payments.

Second, consolidating your loans may allow you to secure a lower interest rate. This can save you money on interest over the life of the loan and potentially reduce the total amount you have to pay back. Keep in mind, however, that the interest rate you receive on a consolidation loan may be higher or lower than the rates on your current loans, depending on market conditions and your credit history.

Finally, consolidating your loans can make it easier to enroll in certain repayment plans or forgiveness programs. For example, if you have Direct Consolidation Loans, you may be able to enroll in the income-driven repayment plans or the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which are not available for all types of federal loans.

There are also some potential drawbacks to consolidating student loans. For one, it can take longer to pay off your loans if you extend the repayment term as part of the consolidation process. Additionally, you may lose certain benefits that are associated with your current loans, such as interest rate discounts or forbearance options.

Before deciding to consolidate your student loans, it’s important to carefully consider your options and do your homework. Start by reviewing your current loans and understanding the terms and benefits associated with each one. Then, consider the pros and cons of consolidation and determine whether it makes sense for your financial situation. You may also want to consider seeking advice from a financial advisor or a student loan counselor.

FAQs

What does loan APR mean?

A loan APR is an Annual Percentage Rate. An APR is normally an interest rate number of how much you will pay back if you take a loan out for a year. APR is a misleading figure because if you only take out a loan for 2 weeks it means you only pay 2 weeks interest.
If you booked a hotel for 2 weeks they would not tell you how much it costs to stay in the hotel for a year. This is why APR is a misleading term for loans such as Payday Loans.

What is a credit line?

A credit line is the same as a credit card and is a dollar amount of money you are allowed to take and give back, as and when you need it. If you are approved for a $1000 credit line you may be able to take $900 and then you will have to pay back (for example) $1000 to top your account back up to $1000. Normally you cannot draw 100% of your credit line and only smaller parts of it for operational reasons.

What is a payday loan?

A payday loan is a way to receive money quickly and with not too many questions to last you until you get paid. Typically payday loans are only for 2 to 3 weeks and need to be paid back in full when you get your wage and your salary. Sometimes payday loans are not the best choice of loans if you have other options, but if you need money fast and will be getting a guaranteed amount of money before the loan is due for full payment, it can be a good way of getting through the month.

What is debt consolidation?

If you have multiple loans with different interest rates and due dates, a debt consolidation loan can make everything easier by combining it into one payment. Maybe you have high interest credit card debt or high interest payday loans you have not been able to pay back. Taking out a debt consolidation loan can group all these payments into one as the company will pay off all your debts and make it easier for you to deal with.

What are private student loans?

If you have tried to get federal student loans or self fund a college course but haven’t managed to get any money it may be an option to apply for a private student loan. WIth many student loans the loan company will deal with the college and pay them directly, but with private student loans the money sometimes comes directly to you and this gives you the choices of how to use that money.

What is a cash advance?

Certain credit cards, banks and loan companies will give you money you dont have as a cash advance. Typically when you get a cash advance from a credit card you pay quite a lot for the service. A cash advance is slightly different from an overdraught and is actually a lot cheaper.

What is an overdraft?

There are different types of overdraft from a financial institution. You can have arranged overdrafts, unarranged overdraft and pre-arranged overdraft. Unarranged overdrafts are far more expensive than a pre-arranged overdraft as the interest is often calculated daily.

What is a credit union?

A typical credit union will be very similar to a bank, but credit unions are mostly non profits with the focus on the customers and members rather than the shareholders and CEO of a normal bank. Credit unions take in savings and give that money out as loans. A typical bank takes in savings but uses the banking system to give out loans and saves the savings as collateral.

How long is a short term loan?

Short term loans need to be paid off within 6 months in most cases or occasionally a year and generally they will need to be fully paid off within 18 months. Short term loans often have slightly higher interest rates than long term repayment loans, but this can vary depending on the credit score of the borrower and the requirement of the loan lender.

Can I get an online loan without a bank account?

There are very few online loan companies that can process a payment to you if you do not have a bank account. The only way to pay someone would be to either give them cash or to western union money which is not practical for an online loan service. If you are unbanked and have had issues with traditional banking it may be worth speaking to a credit union and asking them about a product they have called second-chance banking.

How do I get a loan online with bad credit?

To get a loan online with bad credit you just need to choose the right provider. A fico score or credit score is only part of the decision making process in an online lending company. Very often you can get a loan online based on your housing history and work history rather than just a credit score. We have some lenders in our panel that look at more than just your credit score and make their decision based on a number of factors.

How to get a payday loan online with bad credit?

The best way to get a payday loan online if you have bad credit is to provide any information the payday lender requests in a timely and efficient manner. Make sure you have the typical documents like drivers license and bank details ready so you can provide a copy as soon as they are requested. Typical users of payday loans mostly have bad credit and if you look at a large amount of peoples credit history it could be said most people have bad or somewhat questionable credit.

Are online bad credit loans safe?

Online loan lenders need to abide by a strict criteria so they use industry standard encryption for their websites and loan applications. If you need to check the safety of a website you can look up in the browser and see a padlock. If an online bad credit loan website does not have a padlock you should avoid it. If you are looking for a truly safe online bad credit loan website you need look no further than Onesimpleloan.

Do online loans really work?

Online loans really do make a loan possible to many people that previously had no access to credit. A loan would typically be made in a local loan store, doorstep money lender or pawn shop. With only local choices the interest rates could be as high as the lender wanted because there was no competition. The internet has allowed lenders across the country to make online loans from any state to any state where loans are legal. The amount of competition for online loans has helped drive interest rates down and pushed the bad players out of the industry.

What are the best online payday loans?

The best online payday loans are different for each individual that is needing a loan. What may be considered the best and perfect for one person with good credit that just had a small account issue may be of no use to a person who is on disability and in need of a cash injection to buy food. For many people the best online payday loans are the ones that have high approval rates and fast payout.

What is the easiest online loan to get approved for?

The easiest type of online loan to get approved for can vary depending on an individual’s credit score and financial situation. For those with good credit, a personal loan from a bank or credit union may be easiest to get approved for. If your credit score is lower, you may have better luck with an online lender that specializes in bad credit loans. These lenders may have more lenient credit requirements and offer loans such as a secured personal loan or a payday loan.

Can I get a loan instantly online?

In some cases, it may be possible to get a loan instantly online. Some online lenders offer the ability to apply and receive funding quickly, sometimes within the same day. These types of loans are often referred to as “online instant loans” or “fast cash loans.” However, the approval process and funding time can vary depending on the lender and the borrower’s credit and financial situation.

What are the easiest online payday loans to get?

The easiest online payday loans to get will likely be from lenders that have the most lenient credit requirements and offer the ability to apply and get funded quickly. Additionally, some online payday lenders may offer loans without a credit check, making it easy for those with poor credit to get approved. It’s worth being aware that some of them also may charge higher interest rates and fees and this may not be the best way to solve your short term financial challenges.

What loan can I get with very poor credit?

If you have very poor credit, your options for getting a loan may be limited. You may be able to qualify for a secured loan, such as a secured credit card or a title loan, where you put up collateral (such as your car) to guarantee the loan. However, the interest rates on these types of loans are usually quite high. Another option may be a payday loan, but these loans typically come with very high interest rates and should be used with caution. It is also worth checking with credit unions, as they may have more flexible lending criteria and may be willing to work with you even if you have poor credit.

How can I get a loan without talking to anyone?

You can apply for loans without having to talk to anyone by using online lenders, automated underwriting, credit unions and peer-to-peer lending platforms where you can apply, submit the required documentation and receive a decision all online. These options can allow borrowers to apply for a loan and get approved without ever having to speak to someone.