Many college graduates are joining the work force and they're bringing thousands of dollars in student loan debt with them. Overwhelming student loan debt can stretch the salary of an entry-level job too far.
Experts say it's best to inventory the debt right away because it doesn't take long for lending companies to start knocking.
“They need to be aware of how much they borrowed and who their lender is, that's the big thing to start with,” Amy Brown, Director of Financial Aid at Pfeiffer University.
Once they graduate, Brown says they're going to be getting a lot of information from a lot of different companies about consolidation.
“They just want to be careful about who they consolidate with and what company they choose,” she said.
Students are urged to consider reconsolidation when it comes time to pay off student loan debt.
Consolidation can help you manage multiple loans but there are some things experts say you should watch for. First, consolidate with a company that already has the loan unless you can find a lower interest rate with a reputable lender, make sure you get a fixed interest rate and make sure you aren't charged any fees to consolidate.
Brown says consolidation is something you should investigate and take seriously
“You consolidate once and you can't consolidate again no matter what happens in the loan industry,” she said. “You only get that consolidation one time.”
Forbearance and deferment can also help during tough times. During a forbearance, you pay only the interest. Deferment has specific requirements but can help alleviate some financial stress.
“Your financial aid office at the school you graduated from is a really good resource to help with those decisions,” said Brown.
In addition to contacting your alma mater's financial aid office, you can find help managing your student loans through the College Foundation of North Carolina.
Source:http://news14.com/content/headlines/596366/paying-off-student-loans/Default.aspx
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