The promise is a good one--you pay off all your high interest bills, such as credit cards, for a lower monthly payment than you pay now. However, consumers need to be wary, as the payment terms may be for much longer than anticipated, which leads to years of interest payments. Consumers need to ensure they are not being taken for a ride. Another serious issue with debt consolidation is a false sense of security. Once multiple debts are consolidated into one, it can seem as though the debt has been eliminated, which is far from the truth. It is estimated that most people who take out a consolidation loan actually end up in more debt; that paid-off credit card is just too tempting.
Most personal loans are debt programs used to pay off high interest credit cards, with car payments and home improvements following. Nearly one in three loans taken out in the UK in 2005 will be to consolidate existing debt.
When considering a personal loan, consumers need to shop around for the best rates. A low rate could make a significant impact on the amount paid in interest over time--literally thousands of pounds. With the popularity of this type of loan, however, competitive rates are available, and shopping around can be worth the time and energy. Shopping around also helps customers find a loan that best fits their needs.
Debt consolidation loans are not "one size fits all," and as more consumers become aware of this, the better rates and terms they will be able to obtain. Some banks offer personal loans starting at 5.7 percent. Many potential loan customers erroneously believe that they have to be a current client of a bank to secure a personal loan through that institution. This is incorrect, and this belief alone leads to many customers paying too much in interest on their loans.
For example, on a £10,000 loan, consumers could save up to £2,291 in interest payments by using a market leading loan provider as opposed to a high-street bank. As a result, high street banks have approximately half of the market while offering some of the least competitive rates.
Debt consolidation loans are often secured by personal property (such as a home) with variable rates. This means that you run the risk of losing your home with a fixed or variable rate loan if you are unable to make payments. It is wise to calculate monthly payments over the length of the loan and determine if this is the best option for you. If so, careful research into all the options can be very cost effective.
Is consolidating loans with secured loans a good idea?
Private Student Loan vs Federal Student Loan
Federal Student Loan is the most common college student loan. There are mainly two kinds of federal student loans i.e. subsidized and unsubsidized.
Subsidized college student loan: Government pays the interest whilst the student is attending the college.
Unsubsidized college student loan: there is no interest free period and you will have to pay the interest with principal amount, after completion of education.
Not all students qualify for a federal student loan. In case when students are unable to grab a federal
student loan, there is another kind of student loan known as private student loan. Many lenders offer private student loans and the rate of interest vary greatly.
Private student loan also known as personal student loan or alternative student loan will help you paying the college fees, hostel rent, stationary and other expenses, at much competitive interest rates than credit cards. Nevertheless, private student loan should be only used when there is no option left. You should be very cautious while borrowing money from the lender, as you will have to pay it back with interest.
Qualifying for private student loan depends upon the credit criteria established by the lender. Credit criteria mainly differs with private student loan, whether the borrower is a parent or a student.
Here are some factors, which decide eligibility for a private student loan.
1) Your credit report
2) Your parents credit report
3) Delinquency problems
4) Excessive debt loads
5) A cosigner will be an advantage in getting a private student loan because when primary borrower fails to repay, that responsibility falls to the cosigner.
Before applying for a private student loan you should study the offers at your local financial institutions. Then compare this search with the offers made by the online student loan companies. Only then you will be able to know the best one tailored for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oliver_TurnerIs a Private Student Loan for You?
private student loan
A private student loan is an option for students who prefer not to borrow money from the government or from Sallie Mae, or who have not been fortunate in obtaining grants and scholarships from both private and public foundations. The interest rates could be slightly higher than say a federal Stafford loan or a Perkins loan, but if the student, or his parents, has a good relationship with a private lender, the rates and terms could be negotiated…and often in a friendly manner.
A private student loan is sometimes called an alternative student loan and could be any type of loan, provided it was not obtained from a government source. Given this distinguishing characteristic therefore, a private student loan could be a private loan for a student with bad credit, a no credit check student loan (“that’s okay, we have your parents’ signature card on file”), or a graduate student loan – for students wanting to pursue a master’s degree.
Whatever form of private student loan you apply for, remember that a loan is a loan, no matter what it is called. This presupposes a commitment on the part of the lender to make available a definite amount of money to be placed at the lender’s disposal; and by the same token, it presupposes a commitment on the part of the borrower to pay the loan back. The payment terms and schedule are usually outlined in the loan agreement. These elements make a private student loan a legal obligation, a valid contract, if you will. Both borrower and lender therefore are bound by a legal document that cannot be breached, unless for a very justified reason.
If you compare the interest rate of your private student loan with that of the interest rate of your classmate’s federal government student loan, you may notice that his rate is lower. This should not come as a surprise. The US government has a student loan program that gives all US citizens a right to an education. And to make that right an affordable right and accessible to all, the rates on government student loans are usually much lower than a commercial loan – a Wells Fargo loan as an example.
Some private lenders advertise their private student loan programs in such a way that the student does not have to feel cornered about applying for a private student loan – lenders say there are no application fees, no application deadlines, the loan amount can be paid after graduation, and that the funds are sent directly to the student’s account and not to the school. The approval for a private student loan will be given in just a couple of hours or 24 hours, according to some lenders.
Before you sign on the dotted line for your private student loan, make sure you scrutinize the loan agreement.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Ray
