Is Aliso Viejo California Student Loan Debt Consolidation Right for You?

When should you NOT opt for debt consolidation?

Financial trouble can be a drag, but if you are close to paying off your student loans, consider putting them on forbearance or deferring them instead of consolidating. Consolidating your loans if your principal is low will lengthen your term and reduce your monthly payments, but cost you far more in interest over the long run. You may also be tempted to consolidate your student loan with a home equity loan in order to reduce your total monthly payments, but be wary. You cannot put your loans on forbearance or deferral when you combine them with private loans and it could cost you your home if you aren't able to make your monthly payments. Combining your student loans with your spouse's student loans could be a mistake as well. If you die, your student loans are forgiven, but if they have been combined with your spouse's, your partner will be responsible for them after you are gone. This is also true if you combine your student loans with private loans.

What Qualifies You for a Aliso Viejo California Student Loan Debt Consolidation

You can qualify for student loan consolidation if you've completed or left school, attend school part-time, or at the end of each school year while you're in school. If rates are low, you can also apply for an in-school consolidation to lock-in that rate. Consolidation cancels your in-school interest deferral, though, so you may accrue additional interest during that term. You can defer payments, however. Once you've completed all your schooling, you can consolidate your new loans with your previously consolidated loans. You can't reconsolidate a loan to get a lower rate without adding additional loans to the bundle.

Look for consolidation deals as soon as you graduate, before your repayment grace period ends. The federal government announces the rate for the next year for spring. If the new rate will be higher, consolidate before June 30. If the new rate will be lower, wait until July 1 to apply. Usually, your paperwork must be signed by June 30 in order to qualify for the previous year's rate even i


Each person's student loan debt situation is different and you want to find out as much as you can about different consolidating lenders before you make a decision. Make sure that you understand all of your consolidation paperwork and that you feel comfortable with your lender. Remember, you will be making payments to your lender for a while and want to have a good relationship with them.

Get Student Loan Debt Consolidation in Aliso Viejo California with Bills.com