 TITLE: Consolidating Student Loans: Should You Do It? CONTENT: How Does Student Loan Consolidation Affect Credit?\n--------------------------------------------------\nIf you consolidate federal loans to keep track of payments, student loan consolidation has the potential to protect your credit score. Payment history is the most important factor in calculating your credit score, accounting for 35% of your FICO® Score☉ . Prioritizing paying bills on time can keep it strong.\nThe same goes for private consolidation: While you likely already have good credit before refinancing, having only a single payment to manage can help you maintain it. The application process for private consolidation, however, may initially have a negative impact on your credit score, as it requires the lender to perform a hard inquiry when you apply. If your score dips, it will likely recover after a few months. END