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Federal Student Loan Refinancing

Federal Student Loan Consolidation is a financing facility that allows a borrower to merge his several federal student loans into a single new loan, and thereby bring them under one repayment plan. Federal student loans are generally issued or guaranteed by the United States government and comprise loans from the US Department of Education as well as the Department of Health and Human Services. These do not require any collateral security, and in contrast to private student loans, have low rates of interest. The Stafford loan is one of the most popular federal student loans.

When a borrower consolidates federal student loans, the original federal student loans are paid off by a loan consolidation company or by the Department of Education. Then, a new loan is created with one monthly payment. One of the prime advantages of federal student loan consolidation is that it lowers one’s monthly payment by up to 60%. Low fixed interest rates, reduced monthly payments, and retention of subsidy benefits are other merits. Federal student loan consolidation offers several flexible repayment options and varied deferment options to choose from. Depending upon the amount of the debt amount, the repayment period extends from the standard 10 years to 30 years.

However, certain conditions are to be met for availing federal student loan consolidation. Only loans with an outstanding amount of $7,500 can be consolidated under this scheme. Private student loans are not eligible for federal student loan consolidation. Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), Health Professions Student Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Nursing Student Loans (NSL), Federally Insured Student Loans (FISL), Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students (ALAS), Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS), National Direct Student Loans (NDSL), Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL), Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), and Loans for Disadvantaged Students are eligible for consolidation.

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the central database of U.S. Department of Education for student aid. It stores and manages data from schools, agencies that guaranty loans, the Direct Loan program, and other U.S. Department of Education programs. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated report of Title IV loans and grants that are tracked through their entire cycle; from aid start to end.

NSLDS web application is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the student. but, safeguarding of the NSLDS database can occur on the weekends or late hours that’s may cause the application to be unavailable for a short period while maintenance work is performed. NSLDS Student Access web site use SSN, PIN, and personal information to secure student information.

Student get various customize report from the web application. The application displays information on loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, loan statuses, and disbursements In order to use the NSLDS Student Access application, you will need to provide some security answer like -Social Security number (SSN), the first two letters of your last name, your date of birth, and your PIN.

The PIN is one type personal identifier like a bank’s PIN and that’s why it should be kept secure and private. It gives student the authority to access the NSLDS Student Access web site, as well as other U.S. Department of Education web sites. Student can request a PIN at the PIN web site. You can re apply for a PIN or a new PIN at the PIN web site. Yes. It is highly recommended that you request to change your PIN, if you think it is not secure or has been compromised.

The loans and grants listed on this web site have been reported from different sources. In general, the agency that authorized the aid award is responsible for reporting aid information to NSLDS. Stafford loans are reported by guaranty agencies, Direct loans are reported by the Direct Loan Servicing Center, Perkins loans are reported by schools (or their agent), and grants are reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement System.

Grant information is reported to NSLDS daily. New loans are reported to NSLDS within 30 days of receipt of funds.