If a student has a series of loans, through the Stafford, PLUS or Perkins programs, they have the option to consolidate these federal student loans into one single debt. This results in reduced monthly repayments and a longer term for the loan, at a fixed interest rate. The term of the loan can be between 10-30 years. Although the monthly repayments are lower, the total amount paid over the term of the loan is higher than would be paid with other loans. The calculated fixed interest rate is based on the average rate of the loans being consolidated. These rates are weighted, based on the amounts borrowed.