My student loan debt consolidation

My student loan debt consolidation paperwork went through. I thought this was done a few years ago when I applied for a lower interest rate on the student loan. Somehow one of my loans fell through the cracks. By the time this was I was in default. 

My options were to either come up with all of the money to pay off the second loan now (fat chance) or go through with a student loan debt consolidation. There really wasn't much choice but to fill out the paperwork. 

Notice arrived yesterday saying that the student loan consolidation is approved. If what I was told is correct then my monthly payment will remain about the same. That's the good news. However, there was some bad news that they did not tell me. The default and consolidation has been reported to my credit agencies where it will appear for the next seven years.

It was not a good moment when I opened the mail last night. It's funny the things that are never mentioned when you are working on a student loan debt consolidation. I also don't know what the final total is going to be yet. 

This is frustrating. We've been working hard to get things turned around. The best that I can find out is that the mark isn't good but the impact the consolidation will have is uncertain. Hopefully, getting out of all other debt and then knocking this out will help.  

We've been tightening our belt and working hard. My monthly balance doesn't look like it will be effected. More good news is that my other monthly bills are decreasing. The difference is in the length of the new student loan debt consolidation.  

Paying our other bills off will mean being able to eventually pay more on the student loans until they are gone. At this point my best option seems to be to stay the course. It's slow but it seems to be working.