The Benefits Of A Direct Consolidation Loan For Students

by: shellaine
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The options for students who consider to consolidate debt loans abound. Consolidate debt loans thru the U.S. Department of Education program would be the best option. Direct Consolidation Loans allow borrowers to combine one or more of their Federal education loans into a new loan that offers several advantages.

One Lender and One Monthly Payment: With only one lender and one monthly bill, it is easier than ever for borrowers to manage their debt. Borrowers have only one lender, the U.S. Department of Education, for all loans included in a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Flexible Repayment Options: Borrowers can choose from four different plans to repay your direct consolidation loans, including an Income Contingent Repayment Plan. These plans are designed to be flexible to meet the different and changing needs of borrowers. With a Direct Consolidation Loan, borrowers can switch repayment plans at anytime.

Standard Repayment Plan: You will pay a fixed amount each month until your loan(s) are paid in full. Your monthly payments will be at least $50 for up to ten to thirty years, based on your total education indebtedness.

Graduated Repayment Plan: Your minimum payment amount will be at least equal to the amount of interest accrued monthly. Your payments start out low, and then increase every two years for up to ten to thirty years, based on your total indebtedness.

Extended Repayment Plan: To be eligible, your Direct Loan balance must be greater than $30,000 and you will have up to twenty five year to repay your loan(s). You have two payment options:

Fixed Monthly Payment Option -You will pay a fixed amount each month until your loans are paid in full. Your monthly payments will be at least $50.

Graduated Monthly Payment Option - Your minimum payment amount will be at least $50 or the amount of interest accrued monthly, whichever is greater. Your payments start out low, and then increase every two years.

Income Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR): Monthly payments that are based on a borrowers annual income, Direct Loan balance and family size, and are spread over a term of up to 25 years.

No Minimum or Maximum Loan Amounts or Fees: There is no minimum amount required to qualify for a Direct Consolidation Loan! In addition, consolidation is free.

Varied Deferment Options: Borrowers with Direct Consolidation Loans may qualify for renewed deferment benefits. If borrowers have exhausted the deferment options on their current Federal education loans, a Direct Consolidation Loan may renew many of those deferment options.

In addition, borrowers may be eligible for additional deferment options if they have an outstanding balance on a FFEL Program loan made before July 1, 1993, when they obtain their first Direct Loan.

Reduced Monthly Payments: A Direct Consolidation Loan may ease the strain on a borrower's budget by lowering the borrower's overall monthly payment. The minimum monthly payment on a Direct Consolidation Loan may be lower than the combined payments charged on a borrower's Federal education loans.

Retention of Subsidy Benefits: There are two (2) possible portions to a Direct Consolidation Loan: Subsidized and the unsubsidized. Borrowers retain their subsidy benefits on loans that are consolidated into the subsidized portion of a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Having the best information before you consolidate debt loans for students could do more good to you than not having known what your benefits are. Now you can say you are well informed and thus make an informed decision when you do consolidate debt loans.