What discounts/incentives do you get on your federal student loan consolidation?
By law, all consolidators of federal student loans must use the same interest rate formula, so lenders try to differentiate themselves with borrower benefits…ie a certain percentage discount if you pay on time, etc.It is important to read the fine print and understand how you become qualified for or disqualified for a lender’s borrower benefits programs. Beyond savings, borrowers should consider customer service, flexible repayment options, online account access and applications, reputation and industry experience when selecting a lender. Lots of shady characters have entered the consolidation market recently, many of whom just “flip” your loan. It’s important to do your research and stick with a large, reputable firm.
Sallie Mae offers a special benefit in that if you have a Upromise account, (where you get a deposit into an account for buying everyday things) you can transfer your earnings to pay for your consolidation loan. They also have a quick tool that tells you how much you can save if you consolidate, and lots of good info: http://www.salliemae.com/after_graduation/manage_your_loans/consolidate_student_loans/federal/student_loan_consolidation.htm
