' Private Student Loan Consolidation, Consolidate Student Loan
About our partner:
Sallie Mae's 1-2-3 Approach to Paying for College

With Sallie Mae's 1-2-3 Approach to Paying for College, we encourage students and families to tap the most affordable education funds first and minimize education loan debt upon graduation.

  • Step 1.

    Use Free Money First. Students should fill out the FAFSA to access need-based grants and research and apply for scholarships. Students should consider supplementing grants and scholarships with current income and college savings.

  • Step 2.

    Explore Federal Loans. Available to both students and parents regardless of need, federal loans offer low, fixed interest rates and flexible repayment options.

  • Step 3.

    Fill Any Gap with Private Student Loans. After students have pursued free money and federal loans, private student loans may be available to cover the rest of their education costs.

A quick student finance tip from iStudentLoan. It is important to note that Federal loan consolidation programs are not the same as private student loan consolidation. Currently there are no Federal consolidation programs being presented on this site.

Federal student loan consolidation involves consolidating only federal based student loans such as Stafford, Perkins and other government based loans taken out for college which were included in your financial aid package after filing the FAFSA each year.

Private Student Loan consolidation is much different than Federal loan consolidation as you fall under Federal Consolidation guidelines and benefits, while with private interest rates are higher and the companies consolidate private student loans together, not including Federal