Everybody who is or has been in debt has considered debt consolidation loans as an option. However, few can get approved for secured consolidation loans because not everybody has enough equity left on their homes. And though unsecured consolidation loans exist, they are not easy to get. And often, this question rises: Will I be able to get an Unsecured Consolidation Loan?

Lack of collateral turns unsecured debt consolidation loans a very hard to qualify financial product. There are many issues to be considered before applying for such loans because a decline can affect your credit negatively. The issues regarding loan requirements, risk involved, loan amount and type of debt are mainly the most important ones.

The Risk Involved

On unsecured loans, the lender runs a greater risk because the legal means to recover his money if the borrower defaults on the loan are complex and costly as opposed to secured loans. This has consequences on this kind of loans and implies that the requirements for approval are harsh and the loan terms are worst than those of secured loans.

The concept of risk defines most of loans characteristics and is the variable that will determine every aspect of any financial product. All other variables reach equilibrium to keep risk to a minimum or to compensate it with proper profits. Thus, the risk you represent to the lender will determine whether you will get approved for an unsecured consolidation loan or not and on what terms.

Requirements For Approval

Someone applying for any kind of loan needs to show proof of a steady income that will let him afford the loan’s monthly payments. This implies a steady job for at least two years and a regular income proved by showing copies of pay checks or other documentation like tax payment receipts, etc.

When it comes to unsecured consolidation loans, there is no exception to this particular requirement. Moreover, the applicant may need to meet harsher requirements than with regular loans. This is due to the fact that the lender needs to make sure that the applicant will be able to afford the monthly payments because despite the borrower’s commitment, he can get into more debt by simply using credit cards or obtaining other lines of credit.

As regards to credit requirements, you may think that it does not make sense to ask for a good credit score to someone who wants to consolidate debt. However, due to the unsecured nature of these loans, there is already too much risk involved for the lender and thus, someone with a past bankruptcy, defaults or too many missed or late payments may not get approved for an unsecured consolidation loan.

Loan Amount And Debt

Also, unsecured loans never come with high amounts. Thus, if you have too much debt, you will not be able to consolidate all of it with an unsecured consolidation loan because you simply will not be able to obtain that kind of money through an unsecured debt consolidation loan.

Moreover, if you have low interest debt like subsidized loans, student loans, mortgage loans, etc. you will not be able to consolidate it either because the interest rate charged for unsecured debt consolidation loans is way too higher than the rates charged for these loans which would turn consolidation into a useless procedure.

By: Melissa Kellett

Many college students today hit a hurdle before they even start when it comes to finding the funds necessary for college because they have already managed to run up a poor credit history. Fortunately however there are aid and loan packages available today which look principally at need and ignore your credit history and so this is where you will need to start your search for funding.

One of the oldest sources of funding and one which is chiefly available on the basis of economic need is the Pell grant. As long as the student and his family are considered to be a low-income family a Pell grant is more or less automatic and is made on the basis of the submission of supporting documentation.

The student will be required to provide proof of the cost of his intended course (including tuition fees and other qualifying costs) and will also need to provide details of the family’s income from which an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number will be calculated. On this basis a decision will be made and the grant made or refused.

As the name suggests, a Pell grant is a ‘gift’ and not a loan and it does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are currently for a maximum of $4,731 a year (depending on your assessed financial need) and, while this will not normally cover the full cost of attending college, it can go a long way towards helping. However, most students will need to seek loan funding in addition to a Pell grant and the best form of loan funding initially are Stafford loans.

There are two different types of Stafford loan and the first is a subsidized Stafford loan on which the government pays any interest charges while you are studying full-time and for up to six months after graduation. The second type of Stafford loan is an unsubsidized Stafford loan on which you will be responsible for making all interest payments.

Unsubsidized Stafford loans need to be considered very carefully because, although you will be responsible for making interest payments, you will not be required to do so while you are in full-time education and for up to six months after graduation. However, during this period interest will still be applied to any loan and will simply be added to the outstanding amount of the loan. This means that during a three or four year college course your loan debt can grow substantially and reach a very significant sum by the time you do start paying it off.

Naturally, most students would prefer to have an unsubsidized Stafford loan but loans are disbursed according to the funds available and on the basis of need so that only a minority of students will qualify for a subsidized loan. The good news however is that most students will qualify for an unsubsidized loan and, despite their drawbacks, these still represent one of the best forms of college loan funding available today.

There are of course other forms of grant and loan funding available (and scholarships) and you need to shop around to see just what is available and best suits your circumstances. However for students from low-income families Pell grants and Stafford loans are invariably the best routes to follow.

By: Donald Saunders

If you’ve recently finished school and are currently in your six-month grace period before you have to make your first student loan payment, you may have questions about the best way to tackle your debt. Yes, you can simply make monthly payments on your various loans, but with a little planning, you can save thousands of dollars, minimize your monthly payments, and improve your credit score in the process.

Currently the average undergraduate finishes school with over $16,000 in student loans. For many students, this hefty amount owed is piled onto existing debt such as car payments and credit card bills. So, if you feel overwhelmed with what you owe, you are not alone. Rest assured, however, you can tackle your debt successfully and effectively by taking a proactive approach.

First, remember that your student loan debt is probably at an interest rate much lower than your credit card debt. The highest interest rate on student loans compares favorably with the exorbitant rates issued by credit card companies. With rates as high as 30 percent, concentrating on paying down credit card debt should be a primary focus.

If you have no other liabilities other than student loans, congratulations! But, you’ll still need to be strategic about how you will pay back what you owe. Most standard student loans have a ten-year payback period and a monthly payment schedule, but there are many more cost-effective options that are worth exploring.

Before you make that first payment, call your lenders and verify what the monthly amounts will be. If you simply cannot afford to make the payments, ask about alternative payment options. Most lenders offer graduated payment plans where monthly payments start about 50 percent below the standard amount and gradually increase over time. As well, you can frequently extend your repayment period up to 30 years. However, you will need to be careful about paying so little per month that you are only paying interest and no principal.

Another very effective way to decrease what you are paying each month is to is to consolidate your loans by doing a student loan consolidation. This is a great option for borrowers who have several loans at different interest rates. By consolidating these loans, you can lock in a fixed interest rate, lower your payments, and extend your repayment period. Also, consolidation can be quite beneficial for improving your credit because existing loans will be paid off before a new loan is issued. You can ask your current lenders if they offer consolidation plans. If not, there are many lenders who can help you with your loans, and you are able to consolidate during your grace period. Make sure to ask about interest rate discounts that are usually offered for signing up for auto-pay and for having extended on-time payments. Most borrowers who consolidate their loans will save a substantial amount on their monthly payments, up to 60 percent each billing cycle. However, remember that the interest rate on consolidated student loans changes every year on July 1st. Thus, if you are considering consolidation, make sure to submit your application well before this date. Interest rates will be going up more than 2 percent this year, so don’t delay.

If you are approaching the end of your grace period, and you are currently unemployed, disabled, or planning to return to school, you can defer payment on your loans for up to three years. The government will pay the interest on your subsidized loans during this time.

Like deferment, forbearance is another option to delay repayment for as long as three years. You can apply for forbearance by proving financial hardship to your lender. However unlike deferment, you will be responsible for accrued interest during the forbearance period.

No matter how you go about repaying student loan debt, by all means, do not default on these loans. There are serious consequences for not paying back what you have borrowed. Defaulted loans will appear negatively on your credit report, and this may prevent you from qualifying for other types of credit such as mortgages and car loans. As well, defaulted loans will be turned over to a collection agency, and you could possibly be sued. You may even have your wages garnished or your income tax refunds intercepted. And, of course, you will not be able to apply for additional student loans until you either repay the loans in full or make payment arrangements with the lender.

Yes, paying your loan payments is the best way to prevent defaulting on your student loans. Also, make sure to notify your lender with any changes that affect your loans such as name changes or new addresses and phone numbers. If you do experience financial difficulty, don’t delay in asking for forbearance, deferment, or an alternative payment plan. Once you have defaulted, you won’t be able to qualify for these options. And, don’t forget to keep careful records of your loans. Save promissory notes, cancelled checks, and letters that you send to your lender.

Tackling your student loans is possible, and with a little financial know-how and advanced planning, you can customize a payment plan that will work with your financial status. So, go ahead and get started! The sooner you take control of your debt, the sooner you will pay it off.

By: Mike O’Brien