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Federal consolidation: This option is for borrowers with federal student loans. It combines all your federal loans into a single loan with a new fixed interest rate and repayment term. You can apply for a federal consolidation loan online through the Department of Education website [Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Application].
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Private consolidation (refinancing): This option allows you to consolidate both private and federal loans into one loan with a private lender. In some cases, you may be able to get a lower interest rate than your current loans. However, it's important to be aware that refinancing federal loans into a private loan means you'll lose access to federal repayment programs and benefits, such as income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Here are some resources that can help you decide which consolidation option is right for you:
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Student Loan Consolidation: Everything You Need to Know: [student loan consolidation ON Earnest earnest.com]
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How to consolidate and refinance your student loans: [how to consolidate and refinance student loans ON NerdWallet nerdwallet.com]
I hope this helps!