The Pros and Cons Franklin Student Loan Debt Consolidation

If you have variable rate student loans, don't wait another day to consolidate your loans. Consolidating now could save you money and simplify your life. To find out if Franklin student loan debt consolidation is appropriate for you, compare the pros and cons described below. Get a Free Student Loan Consolidation Quote from Bills.com when you're ready to consolidate.

Why Franklin Student Loan Debt Consolidation is Beneficial

Student loans issued between July 1, 1998 and June 30, 2006 have variable interest rates, therefore consolidation has the most advantages for people with those loans. Although the interest rate can't go higher than 8.25% when it resets annually, it can get near that rate if you don't consolidate while the rate is lower.

If you have several loans with varying due dates and similar account numbers, your lender may apply your payment to the wrong loan or you could miss a payment without realizing it. By consolidating into more manageable loans, you can avoid the worry of missing a payment or having it misapplied.

Most lenders offer additional discounts of .25 to .5% off the interest rate if you set-up automatic payments, with an additional 1-2% discount, depending on your loan balance, after 24-36 months of on-time payments. If your loan term is extended to twenty years through consolidation, 1.25% off your rate could save you a lot of money. Interest is still tax deductible for consolidated student loans, so you don't lose the interest rate deduction unless you exceed the income cap.

When should you NOT opt for debt consolidation?

If your loan balances are below $10,000, then consolidating may not be much help to you. You may be close to paying off your loans, therefore extending your term could cost you more money in interest. The interest rate deduction may not save you much over the remaining life of the loan if you continue to pay the same amount you paid under your unconsolidated loans.

Student debt consolidation is also not beneficial if you have to roll your loans into your mortgage or combine them with a spouse's loans in order to qualify. Student loans are forgiven at death, but your spouse would be obligated to continue paying the full consolidated balance if you combine your loans into one. If you can't make your home loan payments due to the additional cost of student loans rolled into the balance, you could lose your home. Consolidated student loans are eligible for deferrals and forbearances during financial hard-times, therefore it's best to keep your student loans separate from your other loans. Because you can also deduct most of the student loan interest from your taxes, if your income doesn't exceed the cap, swapping it for a home equity deduction wouldn't save you substantially more money.

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