| June usually is the month when many rush to consolidate student loans, but this year it may pay to wait a bit and study your options. Rates on Stafford Loans will only rise to 7.22 percent on July 1 from 7.14 percent, and PLUS Loan rates inch up to 8.02 percent from 7.94 percent. Last year, borrowers found good deals to consolidate because of low rates, but this year's theme could be to avoid future rate hikes. Old variable-rate Stafford loans could climb as high as 8.25 percent. If you consolidate, do so during the grace period. Labels: financial aid, free education, high school, scholarship, study abroad |
