It's not normal. And there isn't a consolidation "cutoff".
I'm in the process of consolidating my student loans and my wife's and the interest rate through Citibank is 3.5% for consolidation. The deal with the June 30th cut off date was to have it even lower than that...After June 30th, the rates were raised (I actually got the form several months ago and they told me this. Life just sometimes takes away time for filling out a consolidation form (like three pages, DOH!!)
Straight off their website...
Originally posted by CITIBANK STUDENT LOANS:
Current Interest Rates
Stafford ........................ 5.30%*
PLUS ............................. 6.10%*
Loan Consolidation ....... 3.50%*
