Would you lose your present interest rate if you consolidate? I thought they gave weighted average to the interest rate upon consolidation.

With your total amount of debt, you would qualify to stretch your payments out over a longer period of time. You can always pay ahead, but it gives you some breathing room.

Are you in a profession where you may be able to get some of these loans paid off or forgiven by the feds? Healthcare? Teaching? Public service? Work for a nonprofit?