The Best College Student Loan Consolidation Plan

So you've just graduated from college and you're entering the real world with a brand new degree as well as a lot of student loans. You've decided that consolidating your loans would probably be the most effective way to handle them, but you're unsure of the best route to go. If you're confused about the best college student loan consolidation plan, here are a few tips.

First of all, the best college student loan consolidation plan should always include a low interest rate. This will help you to ensure that you pay back the least possible amount of money. The good thing is that federal student loan consolidation interest rates are capped at 8.25 percent meaning they can go no higher. Find a consolidation plan that offers a fixed interest rate because they can never change during the life of the loan.

You may be tempted by variable interest rates with low introductory rates but after the initial period those rates can really start to get up there and you have no control over what your rate will be. With a fixed interest rate you have the comfort of knowing what your payment will be every month.

Additionally, the best college student loan consolidation plans are the ones with few fees and that offer the option of graduated payments. These are payments which start off very low and gradually increase over the repayment of the loan. Graduated payments are excellent, especially if you're starting out with a relatively low income. They give you a chance to get on your feet and get your financial situation to a more stable place.

The bottom line with finding the best consolidation plan is to know your needs and do the research on different companies to find the best fit.