Student Loan Consolidation Hot Topics

Student Loan Consolidation Hot Topics

 

03.26.07 | A Lesser Known Benefit

Posted in Consolidation FAQ's, Why Consolidate by David E. Bonvie

A lesser-known benefit of federal loan consolidation is that it actually improves a borrower’s credit score. It’s true! Here is an explanation on how this benefit works.

Nowadays, most students need to take out a Stafford loan for every year that they are in enrolled in school to help pay for the cost of attendance. Each time they do accept the Stafford loan the school coordinates two disbursements for that academic year: one disbursement for the Fall and then the second disbursement in the Spring. If a student is in school for 4 years and accepts the Stafford loan each year those loans add up to 8 open balances on a credit report. One way to reduce the number of open accounts on your credit report is to consolidate these student loans. Once consolidated, rather than eight open balances on a credit report the computer will see eight loans paid in full and only one new consolidation loan. This is how consolidation improves your overall credit rating.

Apply today for a free, no obligation student loan consolidation quote today.

The Student Loan Network: Stafford Federal Student Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Student Loan Consolidation, Private Student Loans, Education Loans/College Loans

03.14.07 | Moving On Up!

Posted in Consolidation by David E. Bonvie

This week has been a new start for employees at the Student Loan Network. After spending almost 3 years next to the Tam Center for Holistic Healing in a cramped 1500 square foot space, management decided it was time to upgrade and move offices. What the staff got was a spacious new space on 1250 Hancock Street. Now the staff has only a 1 minute walk to Quincy Center Train Stop, Starbucks, Eating Healthy, and Dunkins. In addition to the prime locale we now have a beautiful view of the Boston skyline which looks lovely on a day like today. Also, there is the faint smell of paint in the air, new shiny furniture, and a gleaming kitchen with a snazzy Keurig coffee maker. It’s all very exciting, and it feels great to be in a space that we can truly make our own!

If ever in the area, feel free to stop by! You can to fill out an application for a student loan, get FAFSA advice, or you can just pop on by to get a great cup of coffee!

The Student Loan Network: Stafford Federal Student Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Student Loan Consolidation, Private Student Loans, Education Loans/College Loans

03.13.07 | Grad School Hesitation

I was chatting with a friend this past evening, and the topic of grad school came up. (As it tends to at my current age) We both agreed that grad school was a great idea – a somewhat necessary tool to advance in ones career. I’ve been rather excited about the prospect of going back to school for some time now, but my friend had some hesitation in his voice. Not because of the application process, or getting back into the swing of class life – but more so over the issue of payment. How do you pay for the normally pricey grad school courses?

Many students still have remaining debt from their undergraduate program, and the thought of taking out more student loans can be rather daunting. But fear not, there are options available and steps that can be taken to help mitigate some of the impact.

First and foremost, if you haven’t already, consolidate your federal student loans from your undergrad program. This will lock in your interest rate, and provide greater monthly savings – more cash flow available for normal living expenses. Not to mention, that you can defer your consolidation while you are attending grad school.

Next, if you have any private student loan debt – consolidate that as well. Wait until after you have completed your federal student loan consolidation – as it will help your credit, and private student loan consolidation is a credit based program.

Consolidating your existing debt will help you become more financially stable – now you can focus on generating money to pay for grad school. Scholarships and fellowships are a great place to get some additional help for funding. If you need additional funds, there are a variety of low interest graduate school loans that can help pay for your courses. These include the Graduate Stafford loan, Private alternative loan, and the Graduate PLUS loan.

The reality is, that most people will have to utilize some sort of additional student funding for grad school. The important thing to remember is to take advantage of the many different, helpful options available on the market, and try to get financially stable right from the start.

Stay tuned for some quick post graduate budgeting tips…

StudentLoanConsolidator.com
StudentATM.com
StudentLoanNetwork.com
Gradloans.com
ActEducationLoans.com
FinancialAidPodcast.com

03.12.07 | New Office – Same Great Service

Posted in Consolidation by jrudy

Well…perhaps the title should read, “New office with even better service!” The past few days at the Student Loan Network have been pretty exciting – we’ve been in the process of moving into a bigger office space. While our physical address may have changed, our websites, helpful information, student loan financing products, and great customer service have not changed. In fact, with the extra space available we will be adding even more employees to better serve our steadily growing customer base. And now onto some news…

Attention all spring graduates! Don’t forget to contact us right away and discuss your student loan consolidation options. Interest rates look like they may be going up on July 1st 2007, so don’t wait until the last minute to get your application submitted. Apply now, save later. We’ll hold your application until you graduate, or until your specified grace end date. With finals, getting ready to move, and any last minute preparations, graduation time can be a bit overwhelming – let us do some of the worrying for you. Remember, student loan consolidation can cut your monthly payment in half, lock in your interest rate, and provide long term cash saving borrower benefits. Give us a call toll-free at 877.328.1565 if you have any questions and get started right away.


StudentLoanConsolidator.com
StudentATM.com
StudentLoanNetwork.com
Gradloans.com
ActEducationLoans.com
FinancialAidPodcast.com

03.08.07 | Consolidation and Medical Residency

Posted in Consolidation FAQ's by David E. Bonvie

Great question came in today from a medical student in Illinois. He just completed his courses this January and is graduating in May from Medical School. Beginning this summer he will be starting his medical residency. He was wondering if he can consolidate all his loans for both undergraduate and medical school BUT be able to take advantage of a student loan deferment or forbearance while he is doing his residency.
I explained to him that he can apply for a hardship deferment while in residency. The hardship deferment is a maximum of 3 years and is based on your income (as listed on last year’s taxes). This usually means that for the first two years you’ll automatically be eligible since your income for the first year of residency is based on your income during your last year in medical school (for most people income will be $0). And your second year of deferment during residency will be based on only the first 6 months of residency (June to December) which should make you eligible. Basically what I am saying is that consolidating does not effect your deferment options at all.
To consolidate your student loans must be in a grace period or in repayment status. If you just graduated you may want to follow up with your current lenders and let them know you have graduated from school and they will make the adjustment. Also, only federal student loans—those funded by the federal government’s Title IV program—are eligible for federal consolidation. These include Stafford loans, Perkins loans and HEAL loans, among others.
For more details on federal loan consolidation from the Student Loan Network please visit www.studentloanconsolidator.com- Deferment, Forbearance, and Consolidation

The Student Loan Network: Stafford Federal Student Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Student Loan Consolidation, Private Student Loans, Education Loans/College Loans