QUOTE(kerri @ Jul 22 2005, 10:14 PM)
I applied for a consolidation with sallie mae at the beginning of June. The application is still in being processed. I got a message on the answering machine that I would get the lower interest rate because i applied before July 1st.
That's correct. All consolidation applications
received before July 1st, qualify for the lower rates. Regardless of how long it takes to finalize the consolidation.
QUOTE(kerri @ Jul 22 2005, 10:14 PM)
Today I got a new payment book and my interest rate went up.

Not quite following you there. Who did you receive a payment booklet from?
QUOTE(kerri @ Jul 22 2005, 10:14 PM)
Can they do that until my consolidation is approved?
OK. If you have loans that are currently in repayment, continue to pay them. Are these the loans you received your payment booklet for? Until you receive notice in the mail from the consolidation company stating "
your old loans have been paid and your consolidation is complete", you pay you loans as usual. So, to answer your question, Yes. The current holder of your loans increased your interest rate on July 1st because that's when the new rates went into effect.
QUOTE(kerri @ Jul 22 2005, 10:14 PM)
How long will the consolidation take to get approved?
Anywhere from 30 to 90 days...or longer.