With student loan debt at an all-time high, many college students and their parents are looking for solutions to repaying their student loans and lowering their monthly payments. This especially is crucial for recent graduates who have wrapped up their college education and are looking to land their first job. Many new grads find their college debt staggering and their monthly payments overwhelming.

The Federal Student Loan Consolidation Program was created for just this purpose: to help students repay their student loan debt under reasonable terms. According to NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company, there is a little-known added benefit to federal student loan consolidation, or combining multiple student loans into one easy-to-manage package. Once original outstanding student loans are paid in full, oftentimes a borrower’s credit score improves.

This happens since the borrower’s record shows that several student loans were taken out and then paid off. When students make the wise decision to consolidate student loans their credit score improves as a direct result, this enables them to qualify for lower rates on their first home or even a new car.

Multiple Student Loan Consolidation Options

Another little-known fact is that after the final distribution of a Federal PLUS Loan, parents can consolidate PLUS loans anytime, even while their child still is in college. Borrowers may consolidate their student loans within the six-month grace period following graduation, during repayment, or even when the student loans are in deferment or forbearance. With up to 30 years to repay and at a fixed rate of 8.25 percent or lower, many borrowers find that their payments are reduced by up to 60 percent, which may allow them to financially get on their feet.

Easy, Hassle-Free Qualifying