How can I consolidate my school loans

School loans can be consolidated. Check with the U.S. Dept of Education or the guarantor of your loans :D

Hi. Welcome to the forums. Since you have registered, a debt counselor in your area will be contacting you shortly to go over your different options. Good luck to you.

how do you know which is the best loan consolidator to choose.

There is very little upfront difference in consolidating lenders. Consolidation is governed by the HEA so the regs are all the same for all lenders.
Your interest rate will be based on a weighted average of what you currently have. Deferments and forebearances are all the same.
There are two types of consolidating lenders...FFELP lenders which includes SallieMae, Citibank, Wachoiva, Nelnet and so on. There is also a slew of secondary lenders under the FFELP program. Then you have Direct Loans which is the DOE. Almost all of the lenders off backend perks such as .25% interest rate reductions for on time payments and automated payments. HOWEVER, there have been a lot of cases recorded by backend lenders consolidated loans with big promises of backend perks, which attract a lot of borrowers. In a lot of cases, these lenders then sell off their portfolios 9-12 months after consolidating to a big lender like Sallie Mae. The perks then disappear as they are not part of the loan itself but a lender perk.

Loan balance will also and your income should be a factor to consider. If you are stuggling to make payments on a high balance loan, FFELP lenders only off "income sensitive" payment plans. Direct Loans is much more flexible in payment terms as they offer "income contingent" payment plans.

You really need to do your research.