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Loan Refinance
There are many ways in which Loans can be categorized. When we say Loan, we are talking about big Loans, not payday Loans. If we categorize them based on their nature, there are 4 types: Mortgage Refinance Loans, Home Equity Loan, Debt Consolidation Loans and Personal Loans.
Whatever the type of Loan, the process involves certain procedural steps.
A Home Equity Loan is a type of Loan in which the borrower is expected to repay a fixed amount of money over a fixed time period. This is confirmed by a `line of credit?, an agreement that is signed by the borrower. However, there is a flexibility option in which the borrower can pay interest only on the amount used.
A Debt Consolidation Loan is the best option if the person is repaying several different Loans simultaneously, such as numerous credit card balances. The debt consolidation process combines all these into one Loan. In other words, the person gets one monthly statement and pays only once a month. Though debt consolidation is a good option, there are limitations. If the Loan is stretched out over a longer time period, the interest may become higher.
Next is the Personal Loan. It includes any large amount of Loan meant for higher studies [Student Loans], starting a business, or other options.
Whatever the type of Loan Refinance, credit situation tracking remains of fundamental importance. Though this can be done by one?s self manually, or by hiring a Loan professional, there are excellent alternatives available today, with many computer tools such as Microsoft Money 2005 Deluxe. They come with price tags in the $30 - $60 range.
Student Loan Refinance
There are basically two types of Student Loans: Federal Student Loans and private loans. Federal loans are based on the financial need of the applicant [student] and are backed by the US government. They can be refinanced at far lower interest rates than private loans. Private loans are personal consumer loans.
Just as in other refinances, the main aim of Student Loan Refinancing is to reduce monthly payments to the lender. If the student has borrowed more than one loan, as in other types of refinance, the easiest way to accomplish this is to consolidate the loans [known as `debt consolidation?]. But before debt consolidation, the student has to see that federal and private loans are not combined. If they are combined, the interest on the combined principal may turn out to be more than the total interest of the accrued loans considered separately. Consolidating federal loans and private loans separately is most economical. Student Loan consolidators can be consulted to work on this important aspect.
Private loans are based on the credit history of the student or the student?s parents or guardians. Parents or guardians are the co-signers [also known as `co-endorsers?] in the Refinance agreement and assume equal responsibility for repayment of the loan, though they are not the beneficiaries.
Students with good credit histories stand a better chance than others. Here too, the students and the co-signers should see that their credit histories are in good shape. It is best to review their credit reports, and fix any problems. They should also compare interest rates from different lenders, so that they get the best deal.
Most Student Loans allow monthly repayments that stretch over 12-30 years, usually, and come due after the student graduates from the program or the course for which the loan was sought. The longer the period of repayment, more expensive it turns out to be. Hence, it is very important to speed the loan repayment as much as possible. There are numerous instances where students have saved thousands of dollars in interest.
Student Loan Consolidation Rates Set to Increase on July 1
Congress voted on and passed Feb. 1 the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that included massive cuts to federal student loan programs. The $11.9 billion in student loan cuts, including changes in laws regarding student loan consolidation, will negatively impact those students seeking a college education and others seeking to consolidate their higher interest loans. The industry expects a rush of students seeking to consolidate at the current low rates that are set to increase on July 1.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, S. 1932, was narrowly approved Feb. 1 by the House of Representatives. Passing by a two-vote margin of 216-214, S. 1932 was signed into public law Feb. 8 by President Bush, thereby approving the $11.9 billion in student loan cuts over the next five years.
Students and graduates now are in jeopardy. With college costs increasing every year and the forthcoming higher interest rates on student loan consolidation, college students are rushing to consolidate before the July 1 rate increase.
Student Loans Take the Hardest Hit
The cuts to federal student loans are the worst among cuts to other federal programs including Medicaid, Medicare and food stamps.
A majority of the legislations provisions to student loans will take effect on July 1 and others will be implemented over time. Some provisions include an increase to 6.8 percent for federal Stafford Loans, from rates as low as 4.7 percent. PLUS fixed interest rates will jump to 8.5 percent, from 7.9 percent. The legislation leaves consolidation loans current fixed rate in place.
Consolidate Student Loans Before July 1 Rate Increase
With student loan consolidation rates set to skyrocket on July 1, now is the time for students and graduates to consolidate, according to NextStudent, the Phoenix-based education funding company. Students and graduates now are urged to consolidate as current consolidation rates can be as low as 2.75 percent with benefits applied. Other incentives to consolidate include a longer payment term, one monthly payment and no prepayment penalties.
The following are other provisions affecting student loan consolidation that take effect July 1, 2006. Students and graduates should be aware of the new regulations so that they now can take action:
Consolidation Loan Changes
- Single holder rule is not changed.
- Eliminates in-school and spousal consolidation options.
- A subsequent consolidation loan may be made in the DL Program only if the FFELP borrower wishes to obtain an income contingent repayment plan and, the borrower is trying to avoid default, but that is conditioned by the requirement that such a loan has been submitted to a guaranty agency for what used to be called preclaims assistance but is now labeled as default aversion.
- Also, in the Conf. Rpt. is a provision providing that only if a FFELP borrower has an application for a consolidation loan rejected by a lender or the application is rejected because the borrower wanted income-sensitive repayment terms, then the borrower can receive a direct consolidation loan.
- A borrower with a defaulted loan can receive a DL consolidation loan to resolve the default.
- Unless otherwise specified the terms of DL consolidation loans are the same as FFELP consolidation loans.
Approval of the Deficit Reduction Act brings major cuts to student loans and a change in regulations regarding student loan consolidation. Although the legislation has changed to the detriment of those seeking a higher education, students and graduates still have the option to consolidate before the interest rate is set to increase on July 1.
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