Y are private student loan interest rates so much more than federal & y can't i consolidate to get a fed rate

Because Federal Student Loans are subsidized (to help 'poorer'/lower income people), and you have to have little enough income/net worth/family income to qualify!

Private College loan consolidation can be truly beneficial. However, the interest rate on private tuition loans is set at the Prime Rate [currently 7.0%], and is adjusted monthly along with a margin depending on the credit history of the loan. The rate on Federally guaranteed loans is mandated by law and not the free market. The origination fee on the private loan depends on your loan amount and credit.

Because they're private-they need to make a profit right? Why else?