 TITLE: Should I Refinance or Consolidate My Student Loans? CONTENT: Build Credit Before You Refinance\n---------------------------------\nIf you end up deciding to refinance your private student loans or at least a portion of your federal student loans, it's important to make sure your credit is ready. Again, the best rates are reserved for people with high credit scores and incomes.\nCheck your credit score to see where it stands. If it needs some work before you apply, review your credit report to pinpoint areas you can address. That can include paying down credit card balances and taking other actions that can help improve your credit score.\nThis process can take time, but if it helps you score even a slightly lower interest rate, it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on how much you owe. As you make an effort to improve your scores, closely monitor it for changes to see how effective your actions have been. END