Some of your information is inaccurate. Students do not "catch a deal" when it comes to interest rates. Interest on Federally insured loans (which is the bulk of consolidations) is averaged out and rounded up to the nearest 1/8th%. The rates are set by the Feds, not the consolidation loan companies. The consolidation companies my offer back end perks to lower the interest rates. All consolidation loans are tecnically "no cost", at least to say no cost up front.
I think you should read this student loan forum further to get your information acurate!
QUOTE
Problems can occur with student loan consolidations if you catch a deal that does not work out favorably to your situation. For instance, if you choose a no-cost student loan consolidation that does not offer you a low interest rate, you could actually end up paying them more than you originally would have! It is important that you choose a company not for their “no-cost” approach, but for their willingness to get your student loans paid off with a consolidation that promotes a quick pay-off with minimal interest rates.