Finance Felicitas Tan on 17 Apr 2008
Is a Sallie Mae College Loan Consolidation for you?
A Sallie Mae College loan consolidation provides an alternative to defaulting on education loans that have left you overwhelmed and financially strapped.
Sallie Mae college loan consolidation program may provide new graduates with options allowing pay off federal education loans and generate a few extra dollars at the end of the month. Sallie Mae combines all existing student loans into a one loan, which often has a much lower interest rate (as low as 4.75%). As a new college graduate, be aware that a few percentage points on interest rates can make a tremendous difference in the monthly payment you will be making. This could leave you with more spending cash for other commitments. A lower percentage rate could mean the difference between eating Macaroni and Cheese and enjoying a healthy meal.
Interest rates on federal student loans fluctuate annually. Fluctuations in interest rates affect the amount of monthly payments as well. Sallie Mae college loan consolidations provide a fixed interest rate for the duration of the loan. This creates a secure feeling. Sallie Mae provides the option to increase the time to repay the loan. This flexibility makes for lower monthly payments over duration of the loan. Although, the longer duration means paying more interest over time, this may be an option that will help you as you initially enter the job market.
Sallie Mae loan applications are free and there are no fees or credit checks required. Once the Sallie Mae college loan consolidation process has begun, existing loans balances are paid in full. This leads to a better credit rating.
It isn’t uncommon for people to get in a bind sometimes and make a payment late at times, or not at all. If you’ve exhausted your deferment and forbearance options, it may be time to consider consolidation to give you a clean slate. A Sallie Mae loan may be the fresh start you need. If you see that your situation is getting to the point where you may default on one or more loans, applying for the Sallie Mae college loan consolidation program now can save you a great deal of trouble later.
There are four options for repayment within the Sallie Mae system: Standard, the Extended, Graduated, and Income Contingent.
The Standard Repayment Plan - fixed monthly payments, maximum loan term is no more than 10 years
Extended Repayment Plans - provides fixed monthly payments amounts, standard loan duration for repayment ranges between 12 and 30 years, which is dependant on the total amount of the loan, and lower monthly payments are a benefit of the longer repayment schedule
Graduated Repayment Plans - standard loan duration ranges 12 to 30 years, plan increases monthly at two-year increments, payments remain fixed at the new larger amount
The Income Contingent Repayment Plan - calculated based on a number of factors including your annual gross income, family size and total amount of your consolidated loan and loan term is 25 years