Private Student Loan ConsolidationPrivate student loan consolidation is a great way to significantly lower your monthly loan payments by combining all your private student loans into one manageable loan.Get The Lowest Rate Possible - Apply With A Co-SignerApplying for private student loan consolidation with a qualified co-signer can greatly increase your chances for approval, and could help you get a better interest rate.Apply Online – Pre-approval decision within minutesHere's a chart showing your savings with private student loan consolidation:Loan Amount Assumed Current Payment* Initial Monthly Payment** Monthly Savings Annual Savings

$10,000.00 $88.77 $69.41 $19.36 $232.32

$30,000.00 $269.00 $208.22 $60.78 $729.36

$50,000.00 $448.33 $347.20 $101.13 $1,213.51

$75,000.00 $672.49 $520.55 $151.94 $1,823.28

$100,000.00 $896.65 $694.07 $202.58 $2,430.96

*Assuming a 15 year loan term, with an original rate of 6.8%**Assuming extended term of 25 years at same rate of 6.8%***Interest rate and the resulting monthly payment(s) contingent upon borrower and/or co-signer creditView an example of Graduate Private Student Loan ConsolidationApply Now for Private Student Loan ConsolidationOther Benefits of Private Student Loan Consolidation:* Lower Monthly Payments: With private student loan consolidation, most borrowers can reduce their monthly payment by extending the repayment term of their private student loan debt.* Reduced Interest Rates: Borrowers with improved credit may often lower their interest rate. Existing loan holders will not reduce your interest rate if your credit has improved.* Rate Reductions: Borrowers may apply on their own or with a credit-worthy co-signer for private student loan consolidation. Borrower and Co-signers with superior credit may receive lower APR loans.* Internship/Residency & Military Deferment: A 48 month deferment for medical/dental residents and a 36 month deferment for all active-duty military personnel is available through the Graduate Leverage Private Student Loan Consolidation Program.* Repayment Term: Undergraduate borrowers may receive up to a 25 year repayment term which offers the lowest possible monthly payment, and graduate student borrowers may receive up to a 30 year repayment term.* No Prepayment Penalties: All payments in excess of scheduled payments go directly to principal.

Loan Consolidation

A PLUS Loan consolidation is a practical, debt management tool that enables you to bundle all of the federal loans you received to finance your child's college education into a single loan.In addition to simplifying record keeping and check-writing chores, PLUS Loan consolidation can significantly reduce your monthly payment burden. The lower payment means you'll have more money available to meet other household expenses, including car payments, childcare, and career-related necessities.Request a Free Information Packet and Application!Or call toll free: 877-328-1565 and speak with one of our expert loan counselorsBenefits of Federal PLUS Loan Consolidation* Reduce your monthly payment up to 53%! Beat inflation!* Save .25% instantly* Make one loan payment a month.* Improve your credit rating!* Match your repayment plan and term to your financial situation.* Applying for your loan with us is easy.* There are no fees, no credit checks, application or origination charges associated with your application!Requirements to Consolidate PLUS Loans* All PLUS Loans must total at least $20,000* You must have received the final disbursement for the current academic year –You do not have to wait until your child has graduated!Apply now for a free information packet from ParentPlusLoan.com and you could secure a low fixed interest rate for the life of the loan! (Rates are variable on existing PLUS Loans.) To Apply Online, Click here!Learn about how PLUS Loan Consolidation works in this step by step tutorial!Consolidation can significantly reduce your monthly payment burden. Click here to learn why this is important! PLUS Loan Consolidation allows you to stretch your repayment period from the standard 10 years to up to 30 years, depending on the amount of your education debts. The lower payment means you'll have more money available to meet other household expenses, including car payments, childcare, and career-related necessities. Apply now! Click here to apply for PLUS Loan Consolidation (provided by ParentPlusLoan.com)

Direct Student Loan Consolidation

Federal Direct loan consolidation is a practical repayment tool that enables you to combine all of your federal Direct student loans into a single loan. In addition to reducing your monthly payment up to 53%, federal Direct consolidation provides flexible repayment plans, interest rate reductions, and deferment and forbearance options.How do you know if you have federal Direct student loans? Below is a detailed list of the different types of federal Direct student loans.* William D. Ford Stafford and PLUS Loans* Direct Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans* Direct Consolidation Loans* Your loan bills come from the Direct Loan Servicing Center* Your loan bills bear the name William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program* Your school is a Direct Lending SchoolApply Today for Direct Student Loan ConsolidationApply now for a free information packet, or call toll free 1-877-328-1565 to speak with one of our student loan consolidation counselors. Or you can read some frequently asked questions about Federal Direct Loan consolidation.Benefits of Direct Student Loan ConsolidationOne of the key benefits of Direct loan consolidation is payment relief. By combining all of your direct student loans into one consolidated loan, you can lengthen your repayment term from the standard 10 years to up to 30 years, depending on the amount of your education debts. With a lower monthly payment, you'll have more money available to meet other living expenses, including car payments, housing expenses, and career-related necessities. Because there are no penalties for overpayment, you can make larger payments and reduce your repayment term when it becomes affordable.Additional Benefits of Consolidating Direct Student Loans* Reduce your monthly payment up to 53%!* Reduce your interest rate 0.6% by consolidating during your grace period* Simplified finances - one payment per month* Improve your credit rating* No credit checks, fees, or application chargesRequirements for Direct Student Loan Consolidation* Minimum amount of $10,000 in federal student loans* Loans must not be in default* Must be graduated or enrolled less than half time.

Federal Student Loan Consolidation IntroductionLooking for your student loan info? Visit the Student Loan Network loan locator guide!Need to Consolidate Private Student Loans? Learn MoreFederal student loan consolidation with StaffordLoan.com is a great way to help manage your finances. Consolidation is a fixed-rate refinancing program that combines all of your existing federal student loans into one new loanTypes of Federal Student Loan ConsolidationStafford Loan ConsolidationStafford Loan consolidation is a fixed-rate refinancing program that combines all of your existing Stafford Loans into one new loan. Monthly savings from a Stafford Loan consolidation can be as much as 53% from previous student loan payments, providing payment relief when it's needed the most.PLUS Loan ConsolidationA PLUS loan consolidation is another form of federal student loan consolidation that allows you to bundle all your PLUS loans previously taken out to finance your child's education, into a single loan with a lower monthly payment. The only restriction is that you must have a minimum of $20,000 in PLUS loans.Graduate Stafford Loan ConsolidationGraduate Student Loan consolidation is a great financial tool for those who have recently completed their graduate program, and are trying to pay off their graduate Stafford and private loans. For those borrowers who have already consolidated their undergraduate Stafford Loans, graduate Stafford Loan consolidation can combine their previous consolidation with their new graduate Stafford Loans.Benefits of Federal Student Loan Consolidation* Reduce your monthly payment up to 53% and beat inflation* Apply now and lock in a lower rate for the life of the loan* Reduce your interest rate 0.6% by consolidating during your grace period* Make only one loan payment per month* Improve your credit rating* No credit checks, fees, or application chargesExample of Monthly SavingsIf you consolidate stafford loans right now, you could save hundreds of dollars a month. Here's a quick chart showing how much you could save on your monthly payments if you had Stafford Loans of varying dollar amounts:Loan Amount Currently Paying: After Consolidation: Month Savings: Annual Savings:$15,000.00 $171.24 $132.32 $38.92 $467.02$25,000.00 $285.40 $220.53 $64.86 $778.37$35,000.00 $399.56 $265.09 $134.47 $1,613.64$50,000.00 $570.80 $343.88 $226.92 $2,723.02Savings shown are based on the current Stafford Loan interest rate of 6.62%; borrowers in grace periods, with loans other than Stafford Loans (such as PLUS or Perkins loans), or with Stafford Loans older than July 1, 1998 will have different interest rates.If you have graduated and want to lock in the current, low rates before they change, consolidate your stafford loans now! Want to calculate your potential savings? Try our Federal loan consolidation calculator!Not sure how consolidation works? Learn more in this consolidation step by step tutorial.Testimonials"The process was quick and convenient, easy to understand, and fast." - Sherry, Stirling Heights, MICalculate your consolidation savingsHow much can you save? Calculate your Savings!Student Loan Consolidation News ()* A Lesser Known Benefit* Moving On Up!* Grad School Hesitation* New Office - Same Great Service* Consolidation And Medical Residency* Jargon Glossary* How Many Times Can I Consolidate???* Need A Job?* House Approves Cut In Stafford Loan Rate* Pick A Plan, Any PlanFederal Student Loan Consolidation is a practical repayment management option to bundle all of the federal student loans you received to finance your college education into one manageable loan. When your new loan is issued, the lender (us) pays off the outstanding balances of the loans you consolidated. In essence, you refinance your college education debt. We specialize in helping you Consolidate Federal Direct Loans! Loan consolidation isn't just for students, either. Parents can consolidate PLUS loans to save just as much money each month as their kids.Refinancing can significantly reduce your monthly payment burden by stretching your repayment period from the standard 10 years to up to 30 years, depending on how much you owe. Request a free loan consolidation information packet now and you can lock in a low fixed interest rate!Call us or apply now:Federal Student Loans PLUS Loan Consolidation Private Student LoansCan't make a payment because you can't find a job, are going back to school, or some other reason, consider an additional deferment allowing you to put off payments for a specific period of time, after you finish consolidating. For those of you in special fields or working in low income areas, consider Student Loan Forgiveness & Cancellation. Worried about having multiple student loan payments after college? Federal student loan consolidation may be an option for you!

Federal school Loan Consolidation is a great tool that allows borrowers to merge all of their federal loans into one new loan. Please feel free to call us at any time, toll-free at 1-877-328-1565, to answer any questions that are not covered below.What are the benefits of federal consolidation loans?* Reduces your monthly payment up to 53%* Simplified finances - you make only one payment each month* Provides budget friendly repayment options* Improves your credit rating* Saves you money today when you need it mostStudent loan consolidation allows borrowers (parents or students) to lock in today's low rates and to combine several federal student loans into one loan, simplifying repayment. Because repayment can be spread over a longer time period, your monthly payment amount will be lower.Why consolidate your student loans with us?* Get personalized one-on-one customer service from start to finish* Fast consolidation turnaround - averaging 30 to 60 days instead of the industry standard 60 - 90 days* Read our Shopping Around for Student Loan Consolidation page for more!Who is eligible for student loan consolidation?To be eligible for federal student loan consolidation, borrowers must:* Have at least $20,000 in federal student loans* Not be in default* Not be in school more than half time for the loans being consolidationWant to find out if you are eligible? Apply online or just give us a call toll-free at 877-328-1565 and we can confirm your eligibility.Here are the things that are not required:* You do not need to be employed to consolidate your loans.* You do not need to have any form of collateral.* You do not need a cosigner of any kind.Get Started – Easy Online ApplicationWhat is the interest rate?The rate will be a fixed rate equal to a weighted average of the interest rates on your existing loans rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent.Federal Consolidation interest rates are based on the weighted average of student loan interest rates. Federal student loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 have an interest rate of 6.8%. Federal student loans disbursed before July 1, 2006 will remain variable interest rate loans. These loans will re-adjust every July 1 based on the results of the 91-day Treasury Bill. Currently, interest rates for these variable loans are:* Stafford Loans in grace: 6.62%* Stafford Loans in repayment: 7.22%* Stafford Loans in repayment prior to 7/1/98: 8.02%* PLUS Loans: 8.02%* Perkins Loans: 5%* HEAL Loans: 4.125%* Previous consolidations: existing consolidation rate* Click here for updated information about consolidation loan interest rates.Take a look at our Loan Calculator to help you figure out your new rate and monthly payment.Please note that we cannot guarantee any interest rate due to the time it takes to process an application. We can only provide rough estimates; you should not rely on these estimates for financial planning! Why? Because consolidation takes between 30 - 60 days, and in that time period, you may be making payments, or your loan status may change. Because your interest rate is determined not only on the type of loan you have, but also on how much you owe, we can make no guarantee except to say that your interest rates will never exceed federally specified, published rates.Why consolidate in my grace period?For those borrowers who have variable rate student loans taken out before July 1, 2006, you can benefit from a lower interest rate on your consolidation.During these six months, Stafford loans disbursed before July 1, 2006 have a 0.6% lower rate. By consolidating during this period, you are able to lock in this discounted rate. If you wait until your grace period is over your rate will increase by 0.6%. Your application must be received in our office before your grace period ends in order to obtain the additional 0.6% discounted rate. When you fill out your consolidation application, be sure to include your grace period end date, and we will complete your consolidation when your grace period expires. If you need assistance determining this date please call 877-328-1565 to speak to a loan counselor.Get Started – Easy Online ApplicationWhat types of loans may be consolidated?* Stafford Loans - Subsidized and Unsubsidized* Federal Direct Stafford Loans - Subsidized and Unsubsidized* HEAL/HPSL Student Loans* Parent PLUS Loans* Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans* Federal Consolidation Loans** Federal Direct Consolidation Loans** Perkins Loans* Nursing School Loans and more...* Federal and direct consolidation loans cannot be reconsolidated unless additional loans are included. For example, if you consolidated your federal loans after your undergraduate degree and then wanted to also consolidate your graduate loans, you can combine the new loans with those that were reconsolidated.Click here for private student loan consolidation.What about private loan consolidation?It's not a bad idea to consolidate your private student loans. What is a bad idea is combining federal and private student loans, which results in a consolidated private loan. This is bad for many reasons:* You cannot defer payments on a private loan consolidation if you want to go back to school. You can with federal loan consolidation.* You cannot forbear payments in case of economic hardship on a private loan consolidation.* You cannot claim interest as a tax deduction on a private loan consolidation.* You cannot apply for forgiveness on a private loan consolidation. Certain types of work, such as federal volunteer programs, teaching in economic development zones, and military service, among others, can qualify you to have part or all of your federal loans dismissed by the government.* If you should pass away, private loans are passed to your next of kin. Federal loans are forgiven.* Private loan consolidation very often has variable rates, which means you cannot lock in today's current historic low rates. Those rates may be tied to volatile indexes like the Prime Rate, which can jump as high as 13%.Consolidating your federal student loans first is very important, because in doing so, you reduce the number of open lines of credit (loans) you have. This boosts your credit score, enabling you to obtain better terms for private loan consolidation.Get Started – Easy Online ApplicationWhat about credit card consolidation, car loans, etc.?Unfortunately, you cannot combine non-federal loans of any kind with federal student loans. Why? Because they are different types of loans. Federal student loans are backed by the US Government; if a student doesn't pay their loans, the government pays the lender, and then obtains payment from the student. The lending institutions (typically banks) know that they will always get their money back, which is why they can offer student loans at such low rates compared to other kinds of loans.Private loans, such as credit cards, car loans, mortgages, etc. are backed by an individual's creditworthiness and collateral. Lending institutions take higher risks in loaning money privately than through the government. The government and the banks will not permit low-risk loans to be combined with high risk loans, and so you cannot consolidate other forms of debt with your federal student loans.However, consolidate student loans to improve your credit rating, and you may be able to qualify for better interest rates on your private loans when you refinance them.What about consolidating with my spouse?Spousal consolidation is no longer permitted. Sorry.I consolidated in the past, can I do it again?It depends. Consolidation is the combination of many loans into one. If you have consolidated in the past with someone other than the US Department of Education, you can't do it again unless:* You have new loans that were not included in the original consolidation.* Or, you have multiple consolidations from different lenders.Call us toll-free 877-328-1565 or email us with questions!How is the consolidation loan repaid?The first payment is due no more than 30 days from the date the Consolidation loan is disbursed. Repayment schedule choices include:* Standard payments (fixed monthly payments over a fixed time)* Graduated payments (payments which gradually increase over the years)* Income-Sensitive payments (variable payment amounts based upon annual income) and* Extended payments (more than $30,000 over a 25 year period or more than $60,000 over a 30 year period).Are there any fees to consolidate?No, there are no fees to consolidate federal student loans.Is there a credit check required to consolidate?No, there is no credit check, because your federal student loans are guaranteed by the US Government. However, consolidation will improve your credit rating! Click here to find out how.Get Started – Easy Online ApplicationAre there any early payment/repayment fees or penalties?No, there are no early repayment penalties for a student loan consolidation. The government wants their money back. To make extra payments, consolidate now, and then when your payment schedule begins, simply specify "Extra payment to principal" on your early payments.Did you know that early repayments are interest-free? It's true! Every dollar beyond your required monthly payment is paid towards the principal - it's like an interest-free payment!How do I apply for a Consolidation loan?Our loan counselors are available to assist you with the application process - they can help you complete the necessary forms accurately. There are three easy ways to apply!* Apply online using our fast and secure eSignature consolidation form!* Apply by phone - call us today toll-free at 877-328-1565!* Apply by mail - simply download, print, and mail your application to us!Do I continue making loan payments while my consolidation application is in process?Yes! Until you are notified that your loans have been paid off through the consolidation process, you should continue to make your student loan repayments. Since consolidation can take anywhere from 30 - 90 days, it's important that you don't fall behind on payments. Once your consolidation is complete, we will send you a new repayment schedule, with your new monthly payment and due date.How long does a consolidation take?Consolidation can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days; in rare cases it may take longer. The process to retrieve payoff statements (called LVCs - Loan Verification Certificates) from your lenders takes the longest amount of time.Do you sell your loans?There may be certain circumstances under which loans will be sold.What do I do if I am not eligible to consolidate?If you've previously consolidated, have loans with just one lender, loans totaling less than $20,000, or other conditions which prohibit you from consolidating your federal student loans with us, there are a few options you can pursue:* Consider a private loan consolidation.* Consider refinancing a home or investment property to pay off the loan. If you've previously consolidated at high rates, using this option will give you tax benefits and still be cheaper than the rates you are paying now. Visit our Mortgage Center for more information.* Consider a personal line of credit from your bank or credit union.Get Started – Easy Online ApplicationCan I defer or forbear?Yes! One of the greatest benefits of federal student loan consolidation is that you retain all your federal borrowing privileges, such as:* Deferment of your consolidation payments when you return to school* Forbearance of your consolidation for up to 36 months* Forgiveness of your entire loan if you pass awayHow do you defer? Once you consolidate, you will receive paperwork for your payment schedule. At that time, you can request a deferment or forbearance form.To get forms, click here!Are you a government or private agency?StudentLoanConsolidator.com is a private company and a member of the Student Loan Network. Our federal student loan consolidation program is backed by the Education Lending Servicing Center and underwritten by Fifth Third Bank, founded in 1858. Our federal student loan consolidation program is part of the Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP), which is overseen and managed by the US Department of Education. Click here to read more about us.Why do student loan rates change?See our page on the relationship between student loans and Treasury bills!Why Consolidate?The very best time to consolidate your student loans is immediately after graduating, before your grace period ends. Doing so allows you to lock in the lowest possible interest rate on your loans.Consolidating is a great option whenever you want to increase your monthly cash flow - by consolidating, you extend your repayment term and get additional discounts on your existing rates, which reduces the monthly payment you make.Repayment GuidelinesDepending on the total amount of your consolidation loan, the government has set the following repayment periods:Loan Balance Repayment Period$30,000 - $39,999.99 20 years$40,000 - $59,999.99 25 years$60,000 and above 30 years

Student Loan Consolidation: Why to ConsolidateBoth federal student loan consolidation and private student loan consolidation offer the benefit of a significantly lower monthly payment and simplified finances. If you want to consolidate student loans, begin with your federal Stafford, Parent PLUS, Perkins, and all Federal FFELP and Federal Direct Loans that were taken out for your education. Private student loan consolidation is a separate program that allows you to refinance all non-federal, education related debt.Apply for Federal or Private ConsolidationEven if you can make the monthly payments from your original school loans, you may still want to consider consolidating to lower your payments and free up money for bills with higher interest rates. These include credit cards and personal loans, neither of which have tax-deductible interest.Check out the links below for additional information on how to consolidate student loans, specifically federal loans, private loans, and frequently asked questions.

U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. Its original directive remains its mission today: to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. The U.S. Department of Education is dedicated to:* Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education, as well as distributing and monitoring those funds.* Collecting data on America’s schools and disseminating research.* Focusing national attention on key educational issues.* Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education.FAFSA. Each year that you are enrolled, you are required to fill out a new FAFSA to allow you to qualify for loans such as the Federal Stafford, Perkins, and PLUS loans. Complete your FAFSA online.FinAid.com. Comprehensive financial aid resource.CollegeBoard.com Association of colleges that oversees the SAT, the PSAT, and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program, as well as other programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, teaching, and learning.U.S. News Online: Education. Search for colleges, grad schools, national rankings, and scholarships.Princeton Review. Information on colleges and grad schools, as well as assistance with preparation for admissions tests.CollegeNET.com. Online college applications and college search functions.

Free money right for college at your fingertips! Need money for college? Look no further! EdFed has spent hundreds of hours researching countless programs and compiled this comprehensive Scholarship Search for you. Here you'll find 8,000 programs listing over 150,000 awards for undergraduate and postgraduate students worth a total of more than $35 million--and all of it is FREE MONEY!!! Why waste time searching individual programs when you can use EdFed's Scholarship Search and find every organization offering FREE MONEY in one convenient place? EdFed's Scholarship Search provide easy-to-use tools to search for scholarships by state, award amount, demographics, and much more. Plus, you can save your searches as well as the scholarships you find for access later. EdFed is your one-stop-shop to find FREE MONEY to pay for college.

We believe the financial aid process should be easy to understand and follow. To help you with the process, we have outlined all the steps involved in applying for financial aid. Of course, if you have any questions during the financial aid process, please call to speak with one of our expert loan advisors at (800) 821-5659.Five-Step Financial Aid Process1. Complete FAFSAFill the application of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Various resources from where you can obtain FAFSA are your prospective college's Financial Aid Office, public libraries, or online. Best time to send FAFSA is as soon as possible after January 1. Note: Be sure to check on any additional aid forms that your school might offer. After sending FAFSA, The Department of Education will use that information to determine your need. You need is the difference between your school expenses (Cost of Attendance or COA) and how much your family can afford (Expected Family Contribution or EFC). It will generate a Student Aid Report which you will receive about three to six weeks after you have submitted the FAFSA. Check it carefully for any errors and then send it your school's financial aid office, if required. Each school that accepts you will mail you a financial aid award package. Once you've received the package, discuss the details with your school financial aid officer to ensure smooth application process. Note: Check thoroughly the system of your school as it differs from one another.2. Apply for FREE MoneyGrants and scholarships act as the best instrument to fund your education. Options like committing to maintain certain GPA level should be thoroughly explored. Though most students fund their college education with student loans, you should investigate your "free money" options too for a debt-free future.Use EdFed’s comprehensive scholarship search to locate grants and scholarships.3. Financial Aid Reward Package should be evaluatedYour award letter contains complete list of information about your financial aid package. Review it thoroughly and make sure to keep a copy of all components of your package. These generally include federal student aid grants, loans, scholarships, work-study, and Federal Stafford Loan eligibility. The most appealing school and its package should be your destination and accept it in writing. You should also mail other schools which you do not wish to join, either by a letter or an email.4. Work-Study ProgramThis is a need based federal aid for students by assigning them a part-time job on campus in order to earn for school tuition fees. Work-Study program will help students to earn minimum wage paid by the federal government. Ask your finance aid officer for more help. If you qualify this program, you may request a job assignment in your own field.5. Apply for Student LoansYour school may suggest you to apply for federal loans with low interest and deferred payment options. Each college selects a federal loan program which is not awarded based on credit history, but on financial need. These include the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or the Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP). With FDLP, the federal government provides the loan funds, while with FFELP, private lenders provide the loans.Naturally you would like to have loans with the lowest interest rate and most number of options for deferring payments until graduation. To learn more about different kinds of loans and for any assistance, please visit our detailed section on Paying For College.

The costs of college vary widely between different schools. One factor that affects how much you spend on college is whether you attend a private school or a public school. Another factor is whether you attend a two-year or four-year institution. A third important factor is where your school is located.The chart below is designed to help you estimate how much you can expect to pay for college, based on these three factors. It is essential to note that tuition costs can vary widely, even among similar schools. However, this chart serves as a guide to what you might expect to pay for different types of schools in each state.State Public 4-year institution Public 2-year institution
Private 4-year institution:
Alabama $3,245 $1,900 $10,229
Alaska $3,065 $1,717 $9,852
Arizona $2,488 $962 $9,759
Arkansas $3,387 $1,314 $9,952
California $2,730 $315 $18,399
Colorado $3,159 $1,685 $16,245
Connecticut $4,772 $1,889 $21,075
Delaware $5,065 $1,800 $8,755
District of Columbia $2,070 N/A $20,093
Florida $2,555 $1,494 $14,708
Georgia $2,838 $1,293 $14,555
Hawaii $3,051 $1,067 $8,777
Idaho $2,860 $1,410 $5,326
Illinois $4,567 $1,569 $16,194
Indiana $4,002 $2,121 $16,973
Iowa $3,470 $2,362 $15,383
Kansas $2,700 $1,441 $11,987
Kentucky $3,194 $1,561 $10,972
Louisiana $2,865 $1,009 $16,539
Maine $4,804 $2,642 $17,619
Maryland $4,973 $2,244 $19,652
Massachusetts $3,999 $1,946 $21,526
Michigan $5,054 $1,780 $11,802Minnesota
$4,494 $2,746 $16,986
Mississippi $3,410 $1,362 $10,004
Missouri $4,111 $1,498 $13,218
Montana $3,467 $2,159 $9,926
Nebraska $3,228 $1,498 $14,074
Nevada $2,437 $1,410 $13,510
New Hampshire $6,728 $4,324 $19,18
6New Jersey $6,078 $2,236 $17,403
New Mexico $2,838 $921 $14,499
New York $4,140 $2,584 $18,357
North Carolina $2,646 $1,014 $15,110
North Dakota $3,130 $2,090 $8,362
Ohio $5,142 $2,373 $16,259
Oklahoma $2,373 $1,214 $11,405
Oregon $3,862 $1,722 $18,308
Pennsylvania $6,316 $2,369 $18,796
Rhode Island $4,708 $1,854 $19,177
South Carolina $5,502 $1,787 $13,429
South Dakota $3,692 $2,964 $11,796
Tennessee $3,340 $1,652 $13,682
Texas $2,975 $981 $12,728
Utah $2,388 $1,679 $4,014
Vermont $7,470 $3,148 $16,407
Virginia $3,775 $1,131 $13,892
Washington $3,788 $1,885 $16,638
West Virginia $2,645 $1,661 $13,136
Wisconsin $3,691 $2,310 $15,907
Wyoming $2,807 $1,490 N/A

If after looking at the price of college, you are still interested in attending, then it is important to know what colleges look for in potential students. Colleges want to see high academic achievement along with a desire to succeed. Here is a list of what admissions officers look at:* Academic record.* Courses completed and level of difficulty. Also, honors and advanced placement classes.* GPA, including upward GPA trends.* Class rank.* Standardized test scores.* Extracurricular and community activities.* Recommendations.If you want top colleges vying for you, then you must prepare well before starting college. To ensure success, pay attention to the following.1. Strong academic backgroundThe application process is highly competitive. Each college has only a limited number of open spots each year, and many thousands of candidates are applying. Thus, you must demonstrate your potential for success by displaying academic achievement in high school.* Even as early as your freshman year of high school, select your classes carefully. Choose classes that are not only interesting, but also demanding. This shows college admissions officers that you can accept and meet academic challenges. College prep courses may also be helpful.* Develop and maintain a high GPA. If your grades are mediocre to begin with, not all is lost. Improvement over time does reflect well.* Take SAT/ACT prep courses. Colleges look carefully at standardized test scores, so take steps to make sure that you do as well as you possibly can. Consider taking the PSAT before the SAT. If you think that you could improve your SAT/ACT score, consider taking the test again.2. Desire to succeedColleges don’t just want students who are smart; they want students who are motivated to succeed in life. Demonstrate this by* Developing extracurricular interests early on, and pursuing these interests. You can perform community service, join student groups, etc.* Taking on leadership positions.* Getting part-time or summer jobs or internships. This shows admissions officers that you are interested in gaining valuable life skills and experiences, and that you have the time-management skills to juggle both work and school.* Developing strong relationships with teachers and advisors.3. Research and applications* Start early and develop a timeframe for the application process. Create a spreadsheet of the colleges to which you want to apply, the requirements for each school, and their deadlines. Submitting applications materials early is advisable.* Write excellent application essays. While not always as crucial as GPA or standardized test scores, your essay could make a difference in whether or not you get into your top choice college.* Learn the average GPA, SAT/ACT scores, etc., of incoming freshmen to see how you compare. Here are some good resources: http://www.princetonreview.comhttp://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm* Investigate financial aid options, including scholarships and loans.

For those individuals who are thinking about attending college or graduate school, there are many things to consider. From which school to attend to deadlines, one must devote lot of time and energy to this endeavor. The price tag of course weighs heavily on one’s decision to attend this or that school and even whether to attend at all. With the average cost of tuition, fees, room and board being $29,026 at four-year private colleges and universities, and $12,127 at four-year public colleges and universities,1 the cost of attendance is sure to cause a moment of pause and even dissuade one from attending. Graduate or professional school can cost even more. However, the cost of attendance is not the only thing to consider. Rather than focusing on the present or even immediate future, that is, paying the costs of college or graduate school tuition, one should bear in mind the benefits of investing so much into higher education.Many individuals are aware of the fact that higher education greatly increases career and financial opportunities. A college or graduate degree vastly improves one’s chances of achieving goals than a high school diploma. In fact, merely having a high school diploma significantly limits one’s prospects. A college or graduate degree will open doors and provide you with the tools necessary to make your dreams of upward mobility a reality.Aside from the social leverage one can wield by holding a college diploma or advanced degree, the monetary potentials far outweigh the initial investment. The graph below demonstrates this point. Listed are the median annual incomes according to level of education. Another piece of insightful information is the percentage of individuals holding each type of degree who are unemployed.Click for a larger imageAs you can see, the benefits of a higher education are twofold. First, the higher the level of education an individual has, the higher the annual income she or he earns. Second, an individual lowers their risk of unemployment by obtaining a higher education degree. So think of it this way: Even if you end up with a high amount of debt after you graduate, you’ll earn that back in just a couple of years.Remember, anything you invest in higher education now will give you a huge return in more ways than one.

EdFed private loan consolidation means combining your outstanding private education loans into one loan, including private loans used to cover educational expenses such as tuition, housing and/or other educational expenses. This is in addition to already consolidated private educational loans. Consolidating your private educational loans with EdFed allows you to lower your monthly payment significantly by lengthening the term of your loans, while receiving a low variable interest rate. This is possible even if your private educational loans are held by more than one lender or are of different types.EligibilityEligibility to consolidate private educational loans with EdFed is based on the following criteria:* Be at least 21 years old at the time of application* Have a minimum of $7,500 in US issued private educational loans* Are in repayment status of private education loans at the time of application* Have good credit standing* Are a US citizen or permanent resident (eligible non US citizen)BenefitsWith EdFed, consolidating private educational loans permits several benefits.* Simple repayment terms* Low, variable interest rate* No penalties for prepayment* One low convenient monthly payment to one lender rather than various monthly payments* EdFed offers personalized and friendly customer service. With EdFed, you work with one loan consultant throughout the process of consolidating your private educational loans.ProcessThe process of consolidating your private educational loans is made simple and fast with EdFed.* Begin an application either online or over the phone to receive an instant credit decision, interest rate information, and fees.* Sign and return your completed application. Consolidations are normally complete in approximately 6-8 weeks.* Continue to make payments to your current lender until you are notified that the consolidation is complete.* Receive your new repayment information in the mail.Payment Options* Repayment begins approximately 30 days from the time your private consolidation loans is funded.* The repayment term is a maximum 30 year plan, regardless of private consolidation balance. You may choose one of several repayment options for your private loan consolidation with EdFed, and there is NO penalty for early repaymento Equal Payments: Standard payments are made according to principal and interest over a 30 year term. This equal payment option allows equal monthly payments over the life of the loano Select 2/Graduated Payments: Allows for interest-only payments for the first two year of repayment. Beginning the third year, payments increase to level installments of principal and interest payments for the remaining life of the loan.o Select 5/Graduated Payments: Allows for interest-only payment for the first two years of repayment. During the third through fifth year, payments increase to include a portion of principal. Beginning the sixth year, payments increase to level investments of principal and interest payments for the remaining life of the loanTax BenefitsConsolidate your private education loans with EdFed and take advantage of tax benefits offered by the Federal Government.* By way of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the Government now permits individuals to deduct the interest paid on loans taken out to attend eligible educational institutions* Ability to deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest. Taken as an adjustment to income, allowing the deduction regardless if you itemize deductions on Schedule A of your 1040.* Deductions phased out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $50,000 to $65,000 [single filers] and $100,000 to $130,000 [married filing jointly]. Taxpayers who are married but file separate returns are not eligible.Deferment and Forbearance* EdFed does not offer deferment options at this time. Forbearance may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Student Loan ConsolidationLoan consolidation is the channel through which you can bring all your loans under one single policy and reduce the monthly payments by increasing the duration of the loan. Consolidation has loads of benefits, some being:* Lower rate of interest* Locking in loans at a lower interest rate* Lower monthly payments* Worrying about just one loan instead of many* Longer repayment scheduleBear in mind that we are talking specifically about student loans. There is consolidation available from other type of loans too, but at EdFed we deal with only your student loans.The logic behind consolidation is simple. consolidation merges all your loans and bills into one single payment. It reduces your (the borrower's) monthly bill of loan repayment. In simpler terms, think of it this way: If you have to pay $100 in 5 years, you pay $20 every year (ignoring any interest component), and if you have to pay the same $100 in 10 years, you pay $10 every year. And in certain cases, the monthly payment burden gets reduced, and the loan payment period also doesn't get increased. This is what consolidation does; it reduces your monthly expenditure on loan repayment and gives you that extra cash in hand.Now to tell you a little bit more about the Student Consolidation Program. If your loan is eligible to be consolidated under this program (see the list below) then you don't have to worry about variable interest rates anymore. Under the Student Consolidation Program, the interest rates are fixed based on many technicalities such as the amount of loan outstanding, the interest rate currently paid, etc. This rate of interest would be fixed throughout the life of your loan. So no more watching the interest rate markets for fluctuations that can hamper your lifestyle.The list of loans that can be consolidated under the Student Consolidation Program:* Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans* Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)* Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS)* National Direct Student Loans (NDSL)* Health Professions Student Loans* Federal Perkins Loans* Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans* All Federal Direct Student Loans (Direct Loans)* Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL)* Nursing Student Loans* Student Consolidation Loans* Federally Insured Student Loans (FISL)* Loan from the Department of EducationIf your loan falls under any of the above, then loan consolidation is a realistic option for you.Irrespective of whether you are still a student or you have graduated, you can consolidate with EdFed and ensure lower interest rates and better terms.At EdFed, we reduce your loan burdens. We offer you the following terms:* Lock in low interest rates.* No credit checks, No fees - Absolutely Free!* Loan period extendable to up to 30 years* Lower monthly payments by nearly 50%* Complete confidentiality maintained* Free live pre-qualification by government-approved agents* It's a U.S. Government Program* And it takes just 60 Seconds to Qualify!

If you have any questions about federal loan consolidation, please email us or call (800) 821-5659 to talk to an expert loan advisor.Attention North Dakota residents:Pursuant to the licensing requirements of N.D.C.C Chapter 13-04.01 Money Broker Act of North Dakota, Education Lending Group, Inc., ("EDLG") its subsidiaries and affiliates, are not able to pursue lending relationships with residents of that state. This includes, but is not limited to telephone, mail or internet solicitations. If you are a resident of the state of North Dakota, we recommend that you contact your current lender of record for student loan products and services.

Federal loan consolidation allows you to consolidate your outstanding federal education loans into a single new loan, even if your loans are currently held by more than one lender and are of different loan types. By consolidating your student loans, you can significantly lower your monthly payments by lengthening the term of your loans and locking in a low fixed interest rate. Most importantly, you can save thousands of dollars during the entire repayment term.Additional Federal Loan Consolidation Benefits:* Fixed rates as low as 6.75%* Extended repayment term with lower monthly payments* No fees* No credit checks* No prepayment penalties* Seven flexible repayment plans* Turn several monthly payments into one* Deferment and forbearance availableFixed rates as low as 6.75%By locking in the current low rates, you can lock in a fixed rate as low as 6.75%!^ TopExtended repayment term with lower monthly paymentsBy consolidating your loans you can extend your repayment term up to 30 years, depending upon your loan balance. This has the added benefit of lowering your monthly payments, so you are left with more money in your pocket each month.^ TopNo feesThere are no fees or costs whatsoever for a federal loan consolidation with EdFed.^ TopNo credit checksThere are no credit checks whatsoever for a federal loan consolidation with EdFed. As a matter of fact, consolidating your loans can actually improve your credit rating, as a result of having lower monthly payments. This can actually make it easier for you to qualify for mortgages and other major loans.^ TopNo prepayment penaltiesAlthough you have the option of extending your repayment term, you will not be charged any fees or penalties for paying off your loans early. This means that if you take advantage of the low consolidation interest rates, you can save thousands even if you pay down your loan early.^ TopSeven flexible repayment plansEdFed offers seven different repayment plans for your consolidation loans, giving you extreme flexibility for your repayment. We offer the following plans:Equal Payments: This option provides equal monthly payments over the term of the loan.Select 2/Graduated Payments: This option allows for interest-only payments for the first 2 years of repayment. In the third year, payments increase to level installments of principal and interest payments for the remaining term of the loan.Select 5/Graduated Payments: This option allows for interest-only payments for the first 2 years of repayment. In the third through fifth years, payments increase to include a portion of principal. In the sixth year, payments increase to level installments of principal and interest payments for the remaining term of the loan.Income-Sensitive Payments: This option provides for payments to be adjusted annually, based on your expected total monthly gross income from employment and all other sources. Your account will initially be disbursed at the Select 2/Graduated repayment plan. After the consolidation loan is disbursed, you must contact your servicer to qualify. Once eligibility is determined, your servicer will calculate your new payment.Extended Equal Payments: This option allows up to a 25-year repayment term of equal payments.Extended Select 2 Payments: This option allows up to a 25-year repayment term with the Select 2/Graduated Payment plan.Extended Select 5 Payments: This option allows up to a 25-year repayment term with the Select 5/Graduated Payment plan.All extended repayment plans are for qualified borrowers with more than $30,000 in eligible loans. Applicants interested in any of the extended repayment plans should contact one of our counselors to determine eligibility.^ TopCombine several monthly payments into oneIf you are currently making payments to more than one lender, consolidating your loans allows you to eliminate the complications of having to make multiple payments. Instead, you can combine those payments into one easy monthly payment.^ TopDeferment and forbearance availableLoan consolidation with EdFed is done through the federal loan consolidation program, and thus you retain government benefits such as deferment and forbearance. Like your current federal loans, federal loan consolidations are guaranteed and insured by the federal government.A deferment is a temporary suspension of loan payments for specific situations such as reenrollment in school, unemployment (up to 3 years only), or economic hardship (up to 3 years only). Forbearance is a temporary postponement or reduction of the payments on your consolidation loan for a period of time due to financial difficulty.