
Aidvantage loan consolidation can be a lifesaver for those drowning in debt. By consolidating multiple loans into one, you can simplify your payments and potentially save money on interest.
One of the key benefits of Aidvantage loan consolidation is the ability to lower your monthly payments. According to the article, consolidating multiple loans can reduce your monthly payments by up to 50%.
Having a single loan payment can also make it easier to budget and stay on top of your finances. This can be especially helpful for those who struggle with managing multiple payments.
Aidvantage loan consolidation can also help you pay off debt faster, saving you time and money in the long run.
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Consolidating Loans
Consolidating Aidvantage Loans can be a game-changer for borrowers struggling to pay off their debt. You don't have to be stuck with the same loan and terms for years to come. Student loan expert Michael Lux, founder of The Student Loan Sherpa, has helped borrowers navigate life with student debt since 2013.
The benefits of consolidation are numerous. Consolidation can help your loans gain eligibility for certain repayment plans and forgiveness programs. For example, consolidating FFEL student loans into a federal direct loan can qualify you for repayment plans like REPAYE.
By consolidating, you can also organize your repayment and choose your new servicer. This is a one-time opportunity to pick your federal loan servicer.
For another approach, see: Which Federal Loan Servicer Should I Choose for Consolidation
Private
Private loan refinancing can be a great option for those looking to lower their interest rates and reduce their monthly payments. You can refinance all types of loans, including federal ones, into private loans.
However, be cautious if you're considering refinancing your federal loans into a private loan, as you'll lose the benefits that come with federal loans.
To refinance, you'll need a good credit score and a stable income. Requirements and offers vary by lender, so it's wise to compare options from different companies.
Some popular lenders for private loan refinancing include Splash, ELFI, SoFi, Earnest, and LendKey. These lenders often have competitive rates and high approval numbers.
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Shopping around for the best rate doesn't hurt your credit score, so be sure to apply at several places to find the best deal.
Here are some key lenders to consider:
Consolidating Student Loans
Consolidating student loans can be a game-changer for borrowers struggling to make payments.
You don't have to stick with the same loan terms for years to come. Student loan consolidation offers ways to get lower payments, lower interest rates, change servicers, and pay off your loan faster.
The process of consolidation is relatively simple, taking less than 30 minutes to complete the request form. You can apply online at studentaid.gov, which is the fastest way to consolidate.
Borrowers have the option to pick their new servicer when consolidating, which is a perk of federal direct consolidation. This is one of the only times that borrowers get to choose their federal loan servicer.
Consolidation can help your loans gain eligibility for certain repayment plans and forgiveness programs. For example, consolidating FFEL student loans into a federal direct loan can qualify you for repayment plans like REPAYE.
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Here are some benefits of consolidation:
- Gain eligibility for certain repayment plans and forgiveness programs
- Helps borrowers who are in default
- Organizes repayment with one consolidation loan and one servicer
- Allows borrowers to choose their new servicer
- May be eligible for the PSLF Limited Waiver Opportunity
Keep in mind that consolidation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's essential to determine if consolidating the right loans is the best strategy for your situation.
Refinancing Student Loans
Refinancing your student loans can be a great way to lower your monthly payments and pay off your loan faster. You can refinance your Aidvantage loans with a private lender, which will pay off your existing loans and set up a new refinance loan.
To refinance your Aidvantage loans, you need to find a willing private lender. Shopping around is the best approach, as it increases your approval odds and helps you find the lowest interest rate possible.
Checking rates with multiple lenders is a good idea, as it doesn't hurt your credit score. In fact, shopping around can help you find the best rate.
The following lenders advertise competitive rates:
A 20-year, fixed-rate loan is often the best choice if you're looking for a lower rate and a lower monthly payment. The following lenders advertise competitive rates for this type of loan:
Refinancing your student loans can be a great way to save money and pay off your loan faster. Just be sure to compare options from different lenders and consider your credit score and income requirements.
Understanding Repayment
Repayment plans can be overwhelming, but Aidvantage offers several options to fit different financial situations.
The 10-Year Standard Plan has fixed monthly payments over a decade, ideal for borrowers with a stable income who want to pay off their loan quickly.
The 25-Year Extended Plan stretches payments over up to 25 years, lowering monthly student loan payments, but don't qualify for an IDR plan.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans, on the other hand, make monthly payments more affordable based on income and family size, not loan balance.
The SAVE Plan offers low payments based on income and is ideal for lower-income borrowers who need flexibility.
The Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan calculates payment as a set percentage of income and is available for both recent and older borrowers.
The Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plan offers slightly higher payments but is available to Parent PLUS borrowers who consolidate.
Here's a quick look at the main IDR options:
Aidvantage can help you explore the best plan for your circumstances and assist with enrollment, setting up auto-pay, and understanding how each plan affects your interest rate and credit reporting.
Loan Details
To find your interest rates, log into your Aidvantage account and go to the "Loan Details" section. This is where you can view the rates for each of your loans.
Your federal student loan interest rates are set by the Department of Education and were fixed when you first borrowed the loans. You can check your most recent billing statement to see the rates for each loan.
To view your complete loan history, including your interest rates, log into StudentAid.gov. This will give you a detailed breakdown of all your loans and their corresponding interest rates.
If you see 0% interest rates in your account, it's likely because your loans were part of the COVID-19 payment pause or you're currently in a special interest benefit period. Keep in mind that these rates will resume when the temporary benefits end.
Here are the ways to find your original loan rates:
- Check your loan documents
- Log into StudentAid.gov
Federal Direct
Federal Direct consolidation is a viable option for borrowers with federal student loans.
You can consolidate your federal loans without meeting credit or income criteria, making it a more accessible option.
The main benefit of federal loan consolidation is that you keep all the federal loan benefits, such as income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness.
However, consolidating your federal loans doesn't lower your interest rate; it simply groups your loans together.
The goal behind a federal consolidation is to gain eligibility for preferred federal programs, like income-driven repayment plans.
To qualify for federal loan consolidation, you can only consolidate federal student loans into a federal loan consolidation.
If you have private loans, consolidating them into federal loans to get on income-driven repayment or qualify for student loan forgiveness is not possible, at least not without an act of Congress.
Consider reading: Direct Loan Consolidation Public Service Forgiveness
Loan Interest Rates
Your federal student loan interest rates are set by the Department of Education, not by Aidvantage.
These rates were fixed when you first borrowed the loans. Your Aidvantage loan interest rates are not negotiable, but you can find them in your account.
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To find your interest rates, log into your Aidvantage account and go to "Loan Details" or view individual loan information. You can also check your most recent billing statement or log into StudentAid.gov to see your complete loan history.
If you see 0% interest rates in your account, it might be because your loans were part of the COVID-19 payment pause, which set rates to 0%. Alternatively, you might be viewing your account during a special interest benefit period or your loans might be in a temporary forbearance or deferment.
Your actual interest rates will resume when any temporary benefits end. You can always find your original loan rates by checking your loan documents or StudentAid.gov.
Here are the four ways to find your interest rates:
- Log into your Aidvantage account
- Go to “Loan Details” or view individual loan information
- Check your most recent billing statement
- Log into StudentAid.gov to see your complete loan history
What is a Direct Loan?
A Direct Loan is a federal loan that combines one or more federal student loans into a new loan.
The goal of a Direct Loan is to possibly lower a monthly payment amount and gain access to a particular repayment plan or loan forgiveness program.
Direct Loans are available for students and parents, and can be used to help cover the cost of higher education.
Direct Loans have a weighted average interest rate based on all the loans combined, which is calculated when you apply for the loan.
Process and Benefits
Consolidating AidVantage loans can be a game-changer for borrowers.
You don't have to be stuck with the same loan and terms for years. Student loan consolidation offers ways to get lower payments, lower interest rates, change servicers, and pay off your loan faster.
The process can be complex, but experts like Michael Lux, a licensed attorney and founder of The Student Loan Sherpa, can help navigate the process.
Consolidation can be particularly beneficial for undergrad and graduate loans, which can bury all the details.
Start Process
The start of the consolidation process is a crucial step in taking control of your student loans. You can start the consolidation process on AidVantage loans by applying through the Department of Education's portal, which typically takes less than half an hour to complete.
The full process, however, can take several weeks or even months before the Department of Education finalizes everything. You can also refinance with a private lender, but this requires passing a credit check to get approved.

Shopping around to get the lowest interest rate is a good idea, as it can result in significant savings. Here are some private lenders that offer competitive rates:
If you're looking for a lower rate and a lower monthly payment, a 20-year, fixed-rate loan is often the best choice. Some lenders that advertise the best rates for this type of loan include:
Remember, consolidating your AidVantage loans can help you get lower payments, lower interest rates, and even pay off your loan faster.
Core Benefits of Student Loans
Consolidation is a process that can help your loans gain eligibility for certain repayment plans and forgiveness programs.
Consolidating your federal loans can qualify you for repayment plans like REPAYE and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Borrowers who are in default can use consolidation to quickly get back on track.
Consolidation also helps organize repayment by giving you one loan and one servicer.
Here's an interesting read: Student Loan Forgiveness Consolidation Application
With consolidation, you get to pick your new servicer, which is a rare opportunity.
Until October 31, 2022, consolidating your FFEL or Perkins loans can also count previous payments towards the ten years required for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Aidvantage offers a 24/7 automated phone system for quick tasks like making payments and checking your balance.
You can also access specific account information and get links to forms and repayment options through the automated system.
Aidvantage is not a federal student loan itself, but a loan servicer that manages federal student loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.
Aidvantage offers multiple repayment plans, including the Standard and Graduated Repayment Plans for fixed or gradually increasing payments over 10 years.
The Extended Repayment Plan spans up to 25 years for balances over $30,000.
Aidvantage also provides Income-Driven Repayment options that adjust payments based on income and family size.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my student loans be forgiven if I consolidate?
Consolidating your student loans will not transfer any forgiveness progress to the new loan. Consolidation may actually reset your forgiveness progress, so review the details carefully before making a decision.
Sources
- https://studentloansherpa.com/consolidate-aidvantage-student-loans/
- https://www.tateesq.com/learn/aidvantage-student-loans
- https://studentloansherpa.com/how-to-consolidate-or-refinance-aidvantage-student-loans/
- https://students-residents.aamc.org/first/direct-consolidation-loan
- https://studenloanrelief.org/aidvantage-student-loan-forgiveness/
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