Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:00PM ET - U.S. Markets Closed.

Education

Student Loan Consolidation: Good Idea, or Bad?

Since it's no longer the cheap, attractive option it used to be, here's what to keep in mind when considering consolidation...  read more

• Secure Student Loans Amid the Credit Crunch
• Subprime Woes Extend to Student Loans
• The World's Most Expensive Universities
• TrackingTrends in Student-Loan Debt
• Some Colleges Cut, Eliminate Student Debt
• Avoid These 13 Financial Aid Traps
• How You Can Get the Best Student Aid
• Borrow Smarter: 5 Methods for Affording College

View Loans basics

Top Stories

• First Marblehead shares fall after quarterly lossAP - Today, Fri, May 9, 2008
• Princeton club e-mails alums' Social Security numbersAP - Today, Fri, May 9, 2008
• Massey Energy pledges $1 million for college scholarshipsAP - Today, Fri, May 9, 2008
• Teachers feeling 'frustrated' over low pay, layoffsCNNMoney.com - Today, Fri, May 9, 2008

View more articles

Most Popular Articles

• SIRIUS Satellite Radio and NBA to Host Reunion of 1972-73 NBA Champion New York KnicksPR Newswire - Fri, May 9 - 5:38pm ET
• Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2008 Financial ResultsPR Newswire - Fri, May 9 - 5:30pm ET
• FedEx cuts profit forecast on fuel costsReuters - Fri, May 9 - 5:28pm ET
• Boeing Begins Contract Talks With IAMPR Newswire - Fri, May 9 - 5:14pm ET

View more popular articles

How-To Guides

• Financing a New Car
• Mortgage Basics
• Retirement Plan Loans
• Home Refinancing Basics
• View more how-to guides

Calculators

• How much will college cost?
• What would my loan payments be?
• What is the value of a college education?
• Should I consolidate my personal debt?
• How much am I spending?
• View more calculators

Expert Opinion

Fixing the Crisis by Fixing the System, Part 2

By Jack Guttentag

The vulnerability of the mortgage system could be reduced by having private mortgage insurance policies cover the risk.

• Fixing the Housing Crisis by Fixing the System, Part 1by Jack Guttentag
• Locking the Mortgage: Critical in a Volatile Marketby Jack Guttentag
• Bailout-Happy Washington Slow to Help Homeownersby Suze Orman

View all experts

More on Personal Finance

• 
  Negotiating with Your LenderMoney Talks –Mon, Apr 21 - 6:00am ETWatch video
• 
  Mortgage Help: Talk is CheapMoney Talks –Fri, Apr 18 - 6:00am ETWatch video

» View all finance videos

Rates

See today's average rates across the country.

• Mortgage

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  30 Year Fixed	5.74%	5.72%
  15 Year Fixed	5.33%	5.29%
  1 Year ARM	5.92%	5.90%
  30 Year Fixed Jumbo	6.95%	7.04%
  5/1 ARM	5.19%	5.31%
  3/1 ARM	5.14%	5.28%

  Source: Bankrate
• Home Equity

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  $30K Home Equity Loan	7.41%	7.42%
  $50K Home Equity Loan	7.26%	7.26%
  $75K Home Equity Loan	7.50%	7.51%
  $30K HELOC	5.03%	5.06%
  $50K HELOC	4.17%	4.18%
  $75K HELOC	4.16%	4.17%

  Source: Bankrate
• Savings

  Savings Type	Today	Last Week
  6 month CD	2.72%	2.75%
  1 year CD	3.01%	3.01%
  3 year CD	3.16%	3.15%
  MMA	2.35%	2.37%
  $10K MMA	2.54%	2.56%
  $25K MMA	2.93%	2.94%

  Source: Bankrate
• Auto

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  36 Month New Car Loan	6.67%	6.63%
  48 Month New Car Loan	6.57%	6.76%
  60 Month New Car Loan	6.57%	6.75%
  72 Month New Car Loan	7.10%	7.10%
  36 Month Used Car Loan	7.16%	7.18%
  48 Month Used Car Loan	6.89%	7.09%

  Source: Bankrate
• Credit Cards

  Card Type	Today	Last Week
  Balance Transfer	10.31%	10.03%
  Low Interest	11.01%	10.97%
  For Bad Credit	13.02%	13.12%
  Cash Back	11.47%	11.46%
  Business	11.10%	10.91%
  Airline	12.75%	12.69%

  Source: CreditCards.com

View rates in your area

Top 5 Questions & Answers

Ask a financial question and get answers from real people on Yahoo! Answers.

• How soon can you apply for student loans before the school year starts?
  Asked by Diane N
• How do I get my mortgage company to forgive a portion of my loan and lower my interest rate?
• Do you need a job to get a car loan??
• Is there student loan default forgiveness?
• How do payday loan places prey on the poor?

Ask a new question

Historical chart data and daily updates provided by Commodity Systems, Inc. (CSI). International historical chart data and daily updates provided by Hemscott Americas. Fundamental company data provided by Capital IQ. Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page. Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes. Real-Time continuous streaming quotes are available through our premium service. You may turn streaming quotes on or off. All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. By accessing the Yahoo! site, you agree not to redistribute the information found therein.

Yahoo! Answers is provided for informational purposes only, and no Q&A is intended for trading or investing purposes. Yahoo! shall not be responsible or liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any Q&A information, and shall not be responsible or liable for any trading or investment decisions based on such information. View Complete Answers Disclaimer.