Loan Consolidation Loan: Benefits, Eligibility and How It Works

LoanApr 7, 20266 Min min read
LJ
Written by LoansJagat Team
Blog Banner

Check Your Loan Eligibility Now

+91

By continuing, you agree to LoansJagat's Credit Report Terms of Use, Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and authorize contact via Call, SMS, Email, or WhatsApp

Key Insights 

 

  1. Compare loan consolidation calculator estimates from IDFC, SBI, Kotak, and ICICI banks to see where you can save the most.

 

  1. Student loan consolidation rates range from 8.82% to 13%. Your exact rate will depend on your CIBIL score and how strong your documents are.

 

  1. You can still qualify for a loan by offering collateral if your credit is poor. You can apply through NBFCs, joining debt programs, or adding a co-signer with good credit.
     

What if you could turn all your debts into one easy payment and lower your interest rate at the same time? That’s what a loan consolidation loan offers.

Loan consolidation helps you manage debt by turning several payments into just one. Many students consider private student loan consolidation loan and watch student loan consolidation loan rates before applying. 

 

If you have a lower credit score, you might look for loan consolidation loans for bad credit. The difference between personal loan vs debt consolidation loan can help you pick the right option for your situation.

What is a Loan Consolidation Loan?

 

Try using a loan consolidation loan calculator before you apply so you can compare how much you might save. Major banks like IDFC debt consolidation loanSBI debt consolidation loanKotak debt consolidation loan, and ICICI debt consolidation loan. all offer competitive debt consolidation loans. These tools can help you choose the best option.

 

loan consolidation loan calculator gives you an idea of your possible monthly savings. With an IDFC debt consolidation loan, you can combine several payments into one. SBI debt consolidation loan and Kotak debt consolidation loan also help make your finances simpler. An ICICI debt consolidation loan lets you bundle your monthly bills into a single, manageable payment.

 

Example:

I used a loan consolidation loan calculator to compare the IDFC debt consolidation loan with SBI debt consolidation loan. The Kotak debt consolidation loan had better rates than the ICICI debt consolidation loan. Now, I make just one payment instead of three costly debts.

Student Loan Consolidation Loan Rates

 

Are you curious about how much you could save each month by consolidating your student loans? Fixed rates mean your payments are the same, but variable rates usually start lower but might go up or down later.

 

Here are the loan rates for student loan consolidation:
 

Bank

Loan Rate

Bandhan Bank 

8.82%

IDFC First Bank

9.99%

SMFG India Credit

13%

PNB

9.35% to 11.05%

 

Note: Depending on Cibil score and documents.

 

Student consolidation rates range from 8.82% to 13%. The exact rate depends on each bank’s policies, your CIBIL score, and the documents you provide.

 

Bonus Tip: India’s 2026 Budget pushes NBFC consolidation, which means fewer but stronger lenders could offer better loan consolidation rates and easier approvals.

Why Should You Consolidate Your Debts?

 

A loan used to consolidate your debt comes with several benefits:

 

  • You may get a lower interest rate than what you pay on your credit cards.
  • You only have to remember one monthly payment instead of keeping track of several due dates.
  • It can help reduce your stress and make it easier to keep track of your repayments.
  • Regular and on time payments can also improve your credit score.
  • You will find it easier to plan your budget because you know exactly how much you owe each month.

 

Debt consolidation can lower your interest rates, reduce financial stress, and help improve your credit score if you pay on time.

What loan consolidation options are available for individuals with a bad credit score?

 

You might think you can’t consolidate your loans if you have poor credit, but that’s not the case. You can use a secured loan or a co-signer can help you qualify for lower monthly payments.

 

Here is the list of the options for consolidation loans:
 

  • Use Collateral with Secured Loans: Secured loans let you use something valuable, like property or a fixed deposit, as collateral. This can make it easier to get a loan even if your credit is not strong.
  • Choose Flexible NBFCs and Fintech Lenders: NBFCs and fintech lenders are more flexible than regular banks. They often offer personal loans to people with lower credit scores.
  • Join a Debt Management Program: Debt management programs from non-profit credit counselling services can help you reorganise your debt.
  • Add a Co-signer or Guarantor: You may have a better chance of getting approved if you add someone with a good credit score as a cosigner or guarantor. 

 

People with bad credit can consolidate their debts by using secured loans, working with NBFCs, joining debt management programs, or finding a creditworthy co-signer.

What is the Difference Between Personal Loan vs Debt Consolidation Loan

 

Here is the table which shows you the difference between a personal loan and a debt consolidation loan:
 

Personal Loan 

Debt Consolidation

Example

You can use the money for anything you need, like a wedding, a trip, or a medical emergency. The lender does not limit how you spend it.

This type of loan is meant to help you pay off your current debts. The lender usually sends the money straight to your creditors to make sure your debts are paid off.

Personal Loan Example: Rahul takes a ₹3,00,000 personal loan to pay for his sister's wedding in Udaipur. He uses the money to book the venue and cover travel costs.

 

Debt Consolidation Example: Anjali has three credit cards with balances. The bank pays ₹1,50,000 to Card A, ₹1,00,000 to Card B, and ₹50,000 to Card C, so all her debts are paid off.

Interest rates for these loans are usually higher, ranging from 10% to 24% per year, because they are unsecured and carry more risk for lenders.

These rates are often lower than credit card rates and are similar to what you find with personal loans. The main advantage is that you avoid the high costs of revolving credit.

Personal Loan Example: Priya has credit card debt with a 42% annual interest rate. She takes out a personal loan at 16% per year to pay it off, which helps her save a lot on monthly interest.

 

Debt Consolidation Example: Rohan, who uses an SBI debt consolidation loan at 11% per year to pay off two credit cards that were charging him 38% and 42% interest. This reduces his overall interest rate by almost 30%.

If you get a new personal loan, your credit score might go down a little at first because of a hard inquiry. However, paying your loan on time will help you build a solid credit history as time goes on.

You can raise your credit score faster by lowering your credit utilisation ratio, especially if you pay off your credit cards. Also, make sure to pay your loan on time each month.

Personal Loan Example: When Amit got a personal loan, his credit score dropped from 780 to 768. After a year of paying on time every month, his score went up to 810.

 

Debt Consolidation Example: Meera had a credit utilisation rate of 85%. After she consolidated her debt, her utilisation dropped to 5%, and her credit score went up by 30 points in only three months.

 

These are the details of the difference between a personal loan and a debt consolidation loan.

Conclusion

 

Loan consolidation can make it easier to manage your finances by turning several debts into one monthly payment. If your credit is not great, you might still qualify by using a secured loan, working with an NBFC, joining a debt program, or having a co-signer. This method may help you get lower interest rates, reduce stress, make budgeting simpler, and improve your credit score if you pay on time.

FAQS

 

Why I Stop Applying Everywhere for Debt Consolidation? 

It’s important to avoid submitting several debt consolidation applications at once. Each time you apply, a lender checks your credit, which can lower your score. Lenders can think you’re desperate if you apply too often, which may hurt your chances of getting approved or finding a good interest rate.

 

Could I avoid it by paying enough per month?  

You can pay more than the minimum each month to avoid long-term debt, high interest, and possible credit score problems. You can  lower your balance faster and end up paying less interest overall when you pay. 

 

What advice would you give to someone considering a debt consolidation loan for the first time? 

Focus on finding a lower interest rate if you are getting a debt consolidation loan for the first time. You should also look for a repayment plan that fits your budget but does not stretch your debt out longer than needed. Make sure the new loan pays off all your current debts, look out for any hidden fees, and avoid using your credit cards so you do not add more debt.

 

What is the process of a debt consolidation loan? 

A debt consolidation loan lets you take out one new loan, often a personal loan, to pay off several high-interest debts like credit cards, medical bills, or other loans. This means you only have one monthly payment, usually at a lower interest rate, which can help you save on interest and pay off your debt faster.

 

What Are the Risks of Debt Consolidation?

Debt consolidation can end up costing you more over time, especially if you continue to use your credit cards after paying them off. It can also cause a small, temporary drop in your credit score.

 

Apply for Loans Fast and Hassle-Free

About the author

LoansJagat Team

LoansJagat Team

Contributor

‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.

Subscribe Now

Tick

Quick Apply Loan

Consolidate your debts into one easy EMI.

Tick
100% Digital Process
Tick
Loan Upto 50 Lacs
Tick
Best Deal Guaranteed

Takes less than 2 minutes. No paperwork.

Trusted customers icon

10 Lakhs+

Trusted Customers

Loans disbursed icon

2000 Cr+

Loans Disbursed

Google reviews icon

4.7/5

Google Reviews

Banks & NBFCs icon

20+

Banks & NBFCs Offers