How do I consolidate my student loans?

We’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. Then, each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
This week, Mare from Uptown asked:
Erika Chavez, student loan counselor at the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois, said feeling frustrated is a very common experience among student loan borrowers.
“The most important thing right now is for you to take back control of your student loans,” she said. “You need to know exactly what type of loans you have and which repayment plan you’re in at the moment so you can make a clear decision that truly aligns with your financial goals.”
Chavez said consolidating student loans allows a borrower to combine one or more federal education loans into a new so-called Direct Consolidation Loan, a federal program that gives participants a single monthly payment. The process is free with no additional fees.
“It is 100% correct that if you consolidate your loans, you will be able to pick a new servicer,” Chavez said. The place to start that process is on the official Federal Student Aid website, studentaid.gov. After signing into your account, look for the loan repayment tab and follow the steps to complete the application. The process takes about 30 minutes, according to Federal Student Aid, and requires: a verified FSA ID, personal details like email address and physical address, financial information such as income details that you can request to be retrieved from the IRS and your loan information such as servicer and loan type.
“Before you apply, I highly recommend that you spend some time using a student loan calculator,” Chavez said. “It will help you see different scenarios so you can pick the best options for your future.”
The federal student aid website has a loan simulator, helping borrowers find the best repayment strategy with estimated payments.
“Taking control also means getting familiar with the website,” Chavez said. “Make sure to check your communication preferences, especially the option to receive text or emails and to check your email regularly.”