If your loans are in forbearance can you consolidate?

[Fashionista]

I was told by the loan rep a few times that you cannot consolidate the loans if they are in forbearance. My friend claims you can and is suprised I didn't know that info but again I was told numerous times I could not do it like that. So what is the real story and what do I tell the loan people to get them to consolidate the loans?

Had i known this was a real option I would have consolidated, right now my loans are almost at 7% interest! ouch!

[Dude]

I see no reason why you can't consolidate unless you have the forberance as a result of being in school.

[grneyedmustang]

I have Sallie Mae, and I was able to consolidate most of my loans while they were in forebearance.

The exception to this is private loans. I wasn't able to consolidate my private loans. If your loans are private, this may be why you can't consolidate them.