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Paying for college is about to get harder. Starting in July, interest rates on new student loans will rise to 6. 8%, from today's rate of 4. 7%. And interest rates on new loans that parents take out called PLUS loans will rise to 8. 5%. The bottom line is that getting your degree is getting even more expensive.
On a $20, 000 loan, students will be paying about $2500 more, just in interest payments over the life of the loan. And parents will have to put up $3, 000 more.
"This is going to prevent a lot of young adults from living independently , out of school, ur. . from being able to pay off their credit card debt, because we see credit card debt continuing to rise and adding more interest payments on to a student loan is gonna affect that. Parents are also gonna be in trouble. You are talking about supporting children in their twenties while saving and trying to retire. "
Whether you are still a student or you are a grad who's already strapped with payments, you should consolidate. This will let you lock in today's lower interest rate while combining all your debts into one loan.
For more tips on how to avoid drowning in college debt, check out CNNMoney. com. I am Gerri Willis and this is" Five Tips".
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