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Article: Borrowers are encouraged to consolidate student loans ahead of rate hike.
- Article from:
- The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA)
- Article date:
- June 5, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 The Free Lance-Star. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Meghann Cotter
Jun. 5--College graduates could pay thousands of dollars extra on their federal student loans if they don't consolidate their debts by July 1.
Interest rates on Stafford and PLUS loans are scheduled to rise nearly 2 percent at the end of the month. Consolidating now will allow consumers to lock in historically low rates and extend the amount of time they have to finish repayment.
The new rates combined with the rising cost of education have experts warning consumers to act now, or regret it later.
Overall, college tuition has increased 60 percent since 1992. This year's graduates carry an average of $19,300 in ...