Student Loans Question

[emm]

I have two federal student loans of $3,500 currently outstanding. I graduated college in May and am in the grace period for now.

AES sent me an offer to lock in my grace period rate before "my rate increases by .6%." By consolidating I can "lower my payment by as much as 53%."

Im like a child lost in the woods when it comes to the world of lending. Is taking out a consolidation loan a no brainer way to go or a scam?

Also, I have enough to pay off the loan entirely right now (if thats even allowable). Should I be making the minimal monthly payments or the largest allowable payment(s)?

Thanks for any advice or for posting any links/resources that I can use to edumacate my ignant self.