>Loan Consolidation 101: Tips For New Graduates Posted by nick_niesen on November 8th Cheap Hurricanes T-Shirts , 2010
With college graduation ceremonies taking place this spring, how can students get off to a good start when it comes to managing their student loan repayments?
Loan consolidation is one option. A Federal Consolidation Loan combines all eligible loans into a single, new, federally guaranteed loan that has a longer repayment term, a fixed interest rate that cannot exceed 8.25 percent and the convenience of one monthly payment. Most important Cheap Hurricanes Hoodie , borrowers who apply for a Federal Consolidation Loan before July 1 can potentially lock in an interest rate as low as 4.75 percent for the duration of their repayment period, which can extend as long as 30 years.
Before consolidating, however, borrowers should carefully consider their decision, says Patricia Scherschel Custom Hurricanes Jerseys , vice president of loan consolidation for Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of education funding and the largest consolidator of student loans. While consolidation is beneficial for most education loan borrowers, it is important that they make an educated choice, she says.
"This is the start of a long-term financial relationship with your consolidation loan provider," says Scherschel. "Make sure you take time to ask questions and get a full understanding of your interest rate and possible discounts before signing on the dotted line."
Scherschel offers the following tips for borrowers who may be exploring loan consolidation.
• Contact your college financial aid office for recommendations and information on reliable and trustworthy lenders. Because consolidation lets borrowers extend their repayment up to 30 years Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys , it is important to choose a lender with a solid reputation, industry experience, flexible repayment options and superior customer service.
• Investigate a lender's borrower benefit program. Many lenders, including Sallie Mae, will offer interest rate reductions for paying on time or using direct debit. Be sure to read the fine print of the benefit program being offered Brian Gibbons Hurricanes Jersey , including if, when and how you qualify for the benefit, as well as how you could potentially lose it.
• Be cautious of the word "free." While lenders are not permitted to charge borrowers a fee to consolidate their loans, Consolidation Loans are not interest-free. It is important to understand all of the costs up front.
• Keep on top of deadlines. On July 1, interest rates on federally guaranteed education loans are expected to rise. Borrowers who consolidate at today's interest rates could save hundreds James Reimer Hurricanes Jersey , even thousands, of dollars.
"Consolidation is the key to protecting yourself from an interest rate increase," Scherschel says. "After the final exams are over, current students and this spring's graduates should have a one-track mind: getting their consolidation application in before midnight on June 30."
The Cult
Becoming a part of the Cult, consists of being recruited a member of the cult Teuvo Teravainen Hurricanes Jersey , as a person that can be relied on to assume responsibilities and accomplish all or almost all things requested.
Depending upon the position you hold and the person that you are attached to the most, any position can be engaging and can be so different from any other experience that you have had prior to Walmart in almost any retail sector that you feel you are being chosen for great things.
Along with morning meetings and consistently being told how much you mean as an individual to the company, by your recruiter, management and the general population you feel an inclusiveness that is hard to describe. Before the end of each meeting the feeling, gets closer to being accepted into a religious organization or sorority Jaccob Slavin Hurricanes Jersey , and when you are accepted, in some way you sincerely begin to believe what you are being told is that you belong to a new family. ?The Walmart Family? You begin to believe that ?The Walmart Way? is the better way, the only way.
I did not see it happening and I begin to correlate past experiences with this new and empowered way of working. I am sure I felt something then that most typical retail employees seldom if ever feel. A sense of power. As the brainwashing continued, I found myself accepting any number of practices that are not truly acceptable according to written company policy but are known to the members as unwritten rules that are to be followed by all without question or concern.
I found myself accepting the unacceptable. Policies and procedures that were just plain common sense meant nothing soon. Even when I complained abou