Many people consider an education to be the vehicle to the future - a way to fulfill their professional and personal dreams. Travel, family, owning property, wealth, opportunity and happiness seem more attainable with an education.

And yet, many students finish their education feeling cheated. They are left with a piece of paper, a massive job hunt and often more than $20,000 in debt. This can be discouraging. What many students don't realize, however, is that they don't have to be controlled by their student debt. In fact, they can control the purse strings.

Consolidating student loan debt is one way that many young people are using to take control of their financial future. They already have the education and now they need to move forward in a positive way.

Normally, with debt consolidation people are able to combine all of their debt, including credit cards, lines of credit and loans, into one big loan. This can result in lower interest rates and savings, as well as less stress and hassle.

With student loan debt consolidation, there are some added benefits:

1. While with most debt consolidation programs, a person is required to qualify based upon their credit rating, student debt consolidation programs don't. So, even if you have a poor credit score, you are able to access the benefits of debt consolidation.

2. While some people may be restricted in terms of the amount they can receive in one loan to consolidate their debt, student loan debt consolidation typically has no maximum amount.

3. If money is ever tight, with student loan debt consolidation, people can postpone repayment until graduation or until they get a job.

4. With student loan debt consolidation, the debt is usually discharged at the death of all borrowers. So, you won't be leaving an unnecessary burden behind on your co-signers or family members.

5. Everyone loves to save money on taxes and with student loan debt consolidation the interest you pay may be tax deductible.

So, if the amount you owe the bank for your education is getting out of hand or you've just graduated and you want to make repayment easier, a good student loan debt consolidation plan could be right for you. Check into local financial institutions and consider seeing a credit counselor to help you.