Flickr user Kurtis Garbutt
If you have multiple students loans from multiple sources, you may be wondering the best way to start repaying your debts. It can be a daunting challenge to even consider tackling.
Should I Pay Off Private or Federal Loans First?
As a general rule of thumb, you should pay off your private student loans first. There are a number of reasons for this. First off, private loans tend to have higher interest rates—and you always want to pay off higher rates first, so they have less time to pile on interest costs. Additionally, federal loans tend to have more flexible repayment plans than private loans, so it’s better to get private loans out of the way first.
Consider Refinancing or Consolidating
If you find your loans, terms, and payments are overwhelming, you should consider refinancing or consolidating them.
Refinancing a loan will change the terms, life time, and/or interest rate. You could opt to lower your monthly payments by extending the loan, or pay it off faster with higher monthly payments. It’s a great way to manage the logistics of the loan.
Consolidation, on the other hand, combines multiple student loans into one—so you only have to keep track of one set of terms, one monthly payment, and one interest rate. It’s a helpful simplification option.
