When I set out at the tender age of 18 to get an education formally, I was immediately reminded of just how expensive this education would be. Not having the privilege of parents who were able to shell out the big bucks that I would need in order to fund my education, I knew that I would need to get some student loan information so I could best proceed. I found out easily from my school that I did qualify for both private and federal student loans.

Then the paperwork began, which seemed like an arduous process, and was very time consuming, yet seemingly worth it as a true means in which I could pay for my education and work at the same time, earning a degree. But little did I know that both the private and federal student loans I took out would be managed by a number of different banks. Banks that would all require a monthly check at a different date and time upon graduating.

So I worked my way through school, and thanks to the private and federal student loans that I received, I was able to pay for my books and my tuition as well as some supplies that I needed. As I progressed through college, the bills racked up, always tendered by my private and federal student loans which was great, but I failed to realize that with every passing semester, a bank or two, all different, was added to the many that I would owe money to during repayment and upon graduating with a degree.

Then the fateful graduation day came. I was both happy and satisfied at finally being able to say that I held a college degree. Then about six months later my deferment period ended and I started getting statements from both my private and federal student loan holders that repayment was near. I got about thirty of these, all from different banks. Now I was faced with a new dilemma. That dilemma being: write thirty different checks per month, all due at different dates and times, and all going to different banks. Some offered easy online payments and even forbearance periods, and others did not.

This is when I realized that I could alleviate all of these concerns by simply consolidating student loans. I phoned a few places and after looking around finally found a place that I could consolidate student loans, all at one place. The paperwork was easy and now I send one check out per month, to one place. I can also pay online, and should I experience any financial difficulty, I can request future deferment until I am able to pay again. Case and point: don’t go through what I did, consolidate student loans right after you graduate and make life easier.