With an increasing number of students grappling with hefty student loan debts—higher than ever before—and elongated repayment periods, a forward-thinking individual might wonder if merging student loan debt into a mortgage is a worthwhile avenue.
While it might seem like a sensible move when caught in the quagmire of student loan debt, the decision comes with its share of pros and cons.
Pros of Consolidating Student Loan Debt into a Mortgage
Lower Interest Rates and Payments:
Depending on the interest rate at the time of consolidation, you might end up paying lower interest. Many student loans carry rates of 6.8%, whereas mortgage rates tend to be lower. Consequently, you could save on interest throughout the loan’s lifecycle. Additionally, consolidating student loans into your mortgage might result in a lower total monthly payment compared to handling mortgage and student loan payments separately.
Consolidating Student Loan Debt into a Mortgage: The Downside
Losing Flexibility:
If you keep student loans with the original lender and face unemployment or reduced income, you can apply for hardship deferment or income-driven repayment plans. This safety net disappears when you consolidate loans into a mortgage.
Replacing Unsecured with Secured Debt:
Defaulting on student loans may lead to consequences like wage garnishment. However, defaulting on a home mortgage puts your property and all its equity at risk. Before swapping unsecured student loan debt for secured home mortgage debt, careful consideration of the risks is crucial.
Potential Decline in Home Value:
While not directly related to consolidating student loans into a mortgage, it’s a factor to ponder. Property markets can experience downturns, and your home’s value might decrease. If you add student loan debt to your mortgage and your home’s value declines, you could find yourself in an uncomfortable position regarding mortgage debt.
Extended Loan Repayment Term:
Standard repayment terms for most student loans hover around 20 years, whereas mortgages typically span 30 years. Consolidating student loans into a mortgage could restart the repayment clock, stretching your mortgage repayment back to a 30-year term. If you’ve already paid 13 years on your mortgage, combining it with student loans means you’re looking at a total repayment period of 43 years, depending on your prior payments.
Even with a lower interest rate, the potential long-term savings might not be substantial when considering the extended repayment period.
When This Option Might Make Sense
In specific scenarios, this option might be viable. For instance, if your mortgage balance is minimal, say 25% of your home’s value, adding student loans might not significantly burden you, and you won’t necessarily need to extend the repayment period.
While student loan debt can be overwhelming, especially with substantial amounts owed, consolidating it into a mortgage may not be the wisest choice. Instead, directing any extra funds towards paying off student loans promptly while keeping the mortgage unchanged could be a more prudent approach.
Consider Refinancing Student Loans with Specialized Lenders
Although consolidating student loan debt into a mortgage may not always be the optimal choice, refinancing or consolidating student loans with reputable lenders specialized in student loan refinancing could align better with your interests.
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