How will applying for private student loan consolidation affect my credit score?

Ryan Z asked:


My girlfriend has two private student loans with 2 different companies with different rates. She wants to consolidate for a lower monthly payment. When she applies for the loan consolidation at a few different companies, how does this affect her credit score? Does each application she completes lower her credit score and then the next company she applies with now sees that she is loan shopping? If this is a confusing question, let me know and I’ll try to clarify. Thanks.
Ok, that first answer doesn’t help and isn’t relevant to the question. Anyone else have any input?
And now spam!??! Can someone please just answer my question?