conversation: User (bdwgs2): "Recent graduate with professional degree, have ~$85,000 in student debt at 6.8%.  Goal is to pay off as quickly as possible.  With my current government loan service provider, payments are ~$1,040 a month over a 10 year period.  I have been getting info in mail and email for private loan consolidation options, interest rates around 3.5% (variable) and 5.8% (fixed).  With lower interest rates, does it make sense to consolidate with one of these private companies? How is the variable interest rate calculated? What are some benefits and drawbacks with one of these private companies? "
  Self: "Where are you finding a company to consolidate $85k in unsecured student loans?  I'd like their number, please...."
  xtrexjpsouz (xtrexjpsouz): "There are several of them - SoFi, LendKey, Citizens Bank, Darien Rowayton Bank, CommonBond, Wells Fargo, etc."
  Self: "I see. I'll have to look into a few of those, but SoFi and WellsFargo have already told me they won't consolidate over $25k or something ridiculously low like that.\n\nSoFi flat out denied me because my first student loan payment ever was late...  Yea....."
  