Disadvantages of STUDENT LOAN CONSOLIDATION

Student loan is considered by some to be the solution in getting a college education. But what isn’t generally known is that there are disadvantages involved in getting a student loan consolidation when you need to repay your debts in the future.

Students should be aware of what they are getting themselves into when they avail of a loan that they would have to repay later on with interest when they start working.

Most of the time, students would have to get a loan in order to sustain their education and standard of living. Some loans that students mostly incur include credit card debts and government loans. In the end, some students feel that they have no choice but to avail of student loan consolidation because they feel that it would significantly help them in getting their finances in order but they are unaware of the disadvantages that awaits them. This is because while the advantages of loan consolidation are highlighted, the disadvantages are often downplayed.

Student loan consolidation undeniably has its advantages, but on a deeper look, you may get end up losing more money than you originally thought. One of the first top disadvantages of student loan consolidation is because while you usually have to pay for a lower interest rate by availing of a student loan consolidation, these interest savings may be eaten up because your discharge benefits may be lost. Another second disadvantage is that many people are not aware of is that you can also lose your borrower’s benefits that you currently enjoy from your current loans that are not consolidated. Some borrower’s benefits include interest rate discounts and rebates. The said benefits could already compensate for the lower interest rates that student loan consolidations usually advertise so you have to rethink your options when repaying your debts.

Another disadvantage in a few cases is that paying through student loan consolidation may end up even becoming more expensive to pay than just paying for your loans the ordinary way. This happens when you have several unconsolidated loans and you cannot pay both loans that you have availed of. Student loan consolidation may end up driving up your interest expense when you had chosen to pay the unconsolidated loans first. So you should prioritize which loan you would have to pay first.

You should also consider your personality when you need to apply for a loan. If you have a lot of outstanding debts that range from credit card loans, mortgages, and even health insurance loans, then availing of a student loan consolidation is not for you because you may not be able to cope with the commitment that is necessary to eliminate your loans altogether through loans consolidation. But if you decide to go for it nevertheless, then here are some considerations you must keep in mind to help you choose the best deal possible. Find out the amount of money that can be lent and check also whether that loan can be consolidated with other debts you incurred or are anticipating to have in the future.

Several loan consolidation programs also enable you to choose between fixed and varied interest rates. Some have penalties for paying a pre-payment; you should not choose this kind of program. In addition, research on the penalties that the program has in case you default on the
payment because you may never know whether you will get unemployed or lack the necessary income in the future.

Also, some student loan consolidation makes it necessary for you to get other loans in order to get into their program so know the student loan consolidation program you are getting into thoroughly before availing.

The last disadvantage of getting a student loan consolidation is the fact that you cannot predict the prevailing interest rates in the future so you may actually end up paying more for the repayment if the interest rate in the future is lowered. On the other hand, the reverse is also true, you can benefit if the prevailing interest rate is higher than the interest you are paying for your student loan consolidation. Overall, you really have to weight the advantages and disadvantages of student loan consolidation carefully based on your personal background, your overall lifestyle, and your needs. 

SOURCE:  www.exforsys.com