Repayment plans

When you consolidate your FFEL loans, pay particular attention to the repayment options. We've noticed that when you apply on-line, many of the marketers or lenders don't provide an option for you. In those cases, you'll be assigned to the Standard Repayment Plan. But know what the various repayment options are when applying.

The Standard Repayment Plan is when the borrower pays the same amount each month for the life of the loan. This is your best option for paying the least amount of interest back. Your loans are initially set up for a Level Repayment Plan. It is recommended that you continue with the Level Repayment Plan if you’re able to make your monthly payments. Again, this is because it is the lease expensive plan in the long run.

Another Repayment Plan is a Graduated Plan. The Graduate Plan offers a lower, more affordable monthly payment in the early months of repayment and higher payments later in the repayment term. Your loan is repaid in the same time frame as the Standard Plan. It is the total interest costs that are slightly higher than the Standard Repayment plan.

The Income Sensitive Plan is when the monthly payment amount is adjusted annually, based on the borrowers expected total monthly gross income from employment and other sources during the course of repayment. This is the most flexible plan, but it can be the most expensive in the long run, and you must reapply annually.