Students Should Consolidate Student Loans Before July 1 Following Repeal of Single-Lender Rule

Students Should Consolidate Student Loans Before July 1 Following Repeal of Single-Lender Rule

The single-lender rule was repealed June 15, 2006 when President Bush signed the emergency supplemental spending package, H.R. 4939, into law, following the Senate's approval. In a vote of 98-1, the Senate passed the bill earlier in the day after it passed the House June 13 with a vote of 351-67.

With the repeal of the single-lender rule, student loan borrowers now are able to consolidate their student loans with whichever lender they choose. No longer is there a stipulation that borrowers have to consolidate student loans with their original lender.

President Paves the Way for Students to Benefit

President Bush has awarded student borrowers the opportunity between now and July 1, when interest rates increase, to be able to consolidate and lock in at a much lower interest rate. In less than two weeks on July 1 federal student loans (http://www.nextstudent.com) will be impacted by the second-largest rate increase in the history of the program as rates will rise 1.84 percentage points.

The forthcoming increase on interest rates is due to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, S. 1932, which was passed Feb. 8 when the president signed the bill into law. The bill also included a total of $12.7 billion in cuts to the federal student loan program.

Stafford and PLUS Loan Increases

Interest rate increases will affect various students loans including Stafford and PLUS loans. Student borrowers should take note of the following increases set to take effect: A new fixed rate of 6.8 percent for Stafford loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006; and a new fixed rate of 8.5 percent for PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006.

Borrowers looking to consolidate their outstanding student loans now are in the best possible position, according to NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company. With less than two weeks remaining until the July 1 deadline, there still is time for students to consolidate with the lender of their choice and at a low interest rate.

NextStudent's Low Rates

NextStudent features a 2.5 percent interest rate for qualified borrowers, with applied benefits. The following benefits are:

• A .60 percent rate reduction for those student borrowers who consolidate after they graduate
• A .25 percent rate reduction for student borrowers who opt to use Auto Debit
• An added 1 percent rate reduction for those student borrowers who make 36 consecutive on-time payments

NextStudent is a well-established company with a reputation for catering to borrowers' needs. It specializes in consolidation of all forms and offers low rates along with its aggressive benefits and discounts in order to bring to borrowers the best possible advantages of student loan consolidation.

Through student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com/consolidationloans/consolidationloans.asp) all of a student's loans are combined into one at one low interest rate, making it financially easier for borrowers. Payment terms can be extended and thousands saved over the long term.

The signing of the legislation that repealed the single-lender rule will help student borrowers throughout the country to consolidate their loans with the lender of their choice at a much lower interest rate. However, students are urged to consolidate before the interest rate increase on July 1, less than two weeks away. After that date, rates will increase and students will lose their chance.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. Learn more about student loans at http://www.nextstudent.com/.