Managing many student loan payments at once can be very difficult. That’s why student loan consolidation sounds so enticing. You can streamline your payments into one and make it easier on yourself. It sounds like the perfect solution. However, it’s essential to think about student loan consolidation pros and cons.
Before you start the application process, you should learn about the pros and cons of student loan consolidation so you can make the best decision possible. Lucky for you, this article is your guide to all things consolidation. Let’s get into it.
What is Student Loan Consolidation?
Student loan consolidation is the process of combining all your federal student loans into one. This is done through a Direct Consolidation Loan that you’ll apply for. A Direct Consolidation Loan is a form of Direct Loan offered by the government.
If you noticed that this sounds similar to student loan refinancing, you wouldn’t be the only one. Many people see consolidation and refinancing as the same thing. The reality, though, is that they’re pretty different. Here are a few differences.
- You can only consolidate federal student loans. Meanwhile, you can refinance both federal and private student loans.
- While an advantage of refinancing is the possibility of a lower interest rate, you probably won’t get that with consolidation. When you consolidate your loans, they will average all of your loan interest rates together and then round up to the nearest ⅛ percentage. This means it will most likely stay the same or go up.
- When you consolidate, you’ll retain access to all of your federal benefits. Some loans, like the Federal Perkins Loans, need to be consolidated to access those benefits. Meanwhile, refinancing your federal loans would cause you to lose them.
Pros and Cons of Consolidating Student Loans
Pros
Simplifies Managing Your Debt
One advantage of student loan consolidation is it simplifies your debt payment. If you have multiple student loans, you understand how hard it can be to pay each one on time. By consolidating, you’ll only have one student loan instead of several. That way, you only worry about making a single payment per month.- Can Extend Your Repayment Term
When you consolidate, there is the possibility of getting an extended repayment plan. This extended plan can provide you the extra needed time to be able to pay off the loan. Plus, with an extended repayment, usually comes a lower monthly payment.
- Can Lower Your Monthly Payment
As we mentioned, you might be able to lower your monthly payment when you consolidate. Typically, this will only happen if you get a longer loan term. This is because you’ll have more time to pay off the same amount of money, so you’ll pay less monthly.
For example, paying a $100 loan off in two months means making $50 monthly payments. If you extend the loan term to five months, then you’ll only pay $20 monthly. It’s the same concept with getting a longer loan term.
Cons
You Could End Up Paying More
Unlike refinancing, you most likely won’t get an interest rate reduction through student loan consolidation. Your interest rate will either stay the same or go up. If you do get a higher interest rate, it would add to the overall cost of the loan and raise your monthly payments. So, you might have to pay more if you consolidate.- If You Consolidate Privately, You’ll Lose Federal Loan Benefits
When you consolidate privately, you will lose your federal benefits. This includes benefits like income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness. So, you’ll want to think seriously about whether you’ll need these benefits or not. If you think you will, don’t consolidate privately.
- You Could Pay More in Interest
As stated, when you consolidate, you could get a longer loan term. Although a longer term can be great, it does mean that you will pay more in the long run. Why? Because there will be more time for interest to build, and that interest will add to the overall cost.
For example, say you have a $30,000 loan with a 5% interest rate on a standard repayment plan of 10 years. Over those 10 years, you’ll pay an extra $8,184 in interest for a total of $38,184. If your loan term got extended to 20 years, then you’ll pay an extra $17,517 in interest for a total of $47,517.
The latest rates from Sparrow’s partners
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Consolidating Student Loans FAQs
Will consolidating my student loans hurt my credit?
No, Direct Consolidation Loans don’t have any kind of credit score requirement or even do a credit check. So, you don’t have to worry about anything popping up on your credit report. Your score will remain the same.
If you opt to refinance and consolidate privately, you will need to pass a credit check to qualify. This may temporarily hurt your credit score.
Does consolidating student loans lower your interest rate?
No, it does not. Your interest rate will most likely stay the same or go up. When determining your interest rate, the government takes the weighted average of all your loans’ interest rates and rounds it up.
Student loan consolidation and refinancing through a private lender, however, will likely get you a lower interest rate.
Is it better to consolidate or refinance student loans?
It depends on your situation since each has its pros and cons. Consolidating helps you better manage your debt, but you could end up spending more money. Refinancing can help you save a lot of money and manage your debt, but you would lose federal benefits. It’s really up to you and what your priorities are.
To help you make the decision, here’s a list of the top 4 refinance rates. Rather than searching for lenders one-by-one, we recommend starting the process with an automated student loan search tool. After you complete the free Sparrow form, we’ll show you the rates and terms you’d pre-qualify for with 17+ premier lenders.
Student loan rates from our partners
Ascent
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
LendKey
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
Earnest
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
College Ave
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Final Thoughts from the Nest
It’s a big decision to make, and student loan consolidation has its pros and cons. Be sure to take the time to think about it and figure out what’s best for you. That way, no matter what happens, at least you know you made the most well-informed decision.
If you choose to take a different route instead, like refinancing, use Sparrow to help you compare refinance rates across multiple lenders. The Sparrow application will match you with what you best pre-qualify for from our partnering lenders. A lot of them offer great refinancing options. Plus, you’ll be able to refinance your federal and private loans together. To get started, fill out the Sparrow form.