Student Loan Consolidation

As a student you might need a consolidation loan to consolidate or refinance any student debts you've built up during your studies through college or university.

There are many loans and grants available to students including debt consolidation loans, government student loans or to refinance an existing arrangement.

Additionally, once you have graduated you may need to get additional funding to see you through your initial months in employment.

The Student Loan Company

The Student Loan Company was set up to adminster loans to UK students. At the beginning it was easy, but as with most Government funded schemes under "new" Labour it is now extremely complicated.

Generally, student loans are available to those entering higher education at university or college to help them meet their living costs while studying. The loans are fixed at a very low interest rate and are issued by the Government through the Student Loans Company; for most students they act as the main source of financial support (although some parents might argue otherwise!). Once your course has finished - and you are earning enough money - you have to start to pay back your loan - normally over three years.

You won't need to pay back any of the loan during your years at university only once you have got a job paying over a certain amount of money. If you choose to go into one of the professions such as nursing or teaching, then you have additional time to begin to pay the loan back (because these jobs don't pay very much and are more of a vocation).

If you have no joy with the SLC then try other providers including UK banks and building societies. They are generally very good with helping students with consolidation loans.