UNDERSTANDING STUDENT LOANS
To find out what type of federal government loan you have, visit the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You can also click here to help you tell the difference between government and private loans.
What’s the difference between the two federal loan programs (FFEL and Direct)?
William D. Ford Direct loans are made directly from the Department of Education to students, without the involvement of a private lender. Prior to July 2010, there was also a federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL), also known as the guaranteed loan program. These loans were made by private lenders and guaranteed by the government. Many of the terms and conditions for the FFEL and Direct loan programs are the same. However there are some differences in repayment options. There are still many FFEL loans in the system, but as of July 2010, no new FFEL loans will be made. More info.
Now that there is no longer a FFEL program, what should I do if I previously had a FFEL loan and need to get a new federal loan?
You will need to complete a new promissory note to receive loans under the Direct Loan Program. You should check with the financial aid office at your school for specific instructions.
What’s the difference between federal and private loans?
Federal loans, whether through a bank/private lender or the Department of Education, are funded and tightly regulated by the federal government. Private loans are not subsidized by the government, and therefore are not regulated as closely. Borrowers should generally maximize their federal loan options before resorting to private loans. Learn more.
Why are private loans more expensive than federal?
Banks and lenders – not Congress – set the interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private loans. They usually carry higher, variable interest rates, and lack the flexible repayment options of federal loans. More info.
Who is eligible to take out federal student loans?
Anyone who is enrolled in a degree, certificate, or other approved program at an eligible school and is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. In addition, borrowers must have a high school diploma, pass a test approved by the Department of Education or otherwise meet “ability to benefit” criteria. There is also a rule that students convicted under federal or state laws of sale or possession of illegal drugs cannot get federal student aid in certain cases. More info.
Guaranty agencies are state or private nonprofit agencies that administer the federal guaranteed loan program. The agencies insure federal student loans against default and pay off lenders when borrowers default. They also try to collect from borrowers. Guaranty agencies will still be around for a while even though the FFEL program was eliminated as of June 30, 2010. The agencies are still servicing and collecting on their existing FFEL loans.
What are the terms and conditions of Stafford loans?
Click here.
What are the terms and conditions of Perkins loans?
Click here.
What are the terms and conditions of PLUS loans?
Click here.
What are the terms and conditions of HEAL loans?
Click here.
Do I need good credit to borrow a student loan?
Except for PLUS loans, the government will not look at your credit in deciding whether you are eligible for a loan. Private loans are a different story—the interest rate you get will depend on your credit score. More info.
How do I know if I should consolidate?
Consolidation is used to reduce and simplify monthly payments by rolling multiple loans into one. However, it can also lengthen the period of repayment and therefore increase the total amount you will pay in interest over the life of the loan. Learn more about the pros and cons of consolidation.
Can I consolidate with the government more than once?
Only in rare cases, including if you have new loans to consolidate that were not included in the first consolidation loan, if you are in default on a FFEL consolidation loan or if you want to get into the public service forgiveness program.
Is it a good idea to get a private consolidation loan?
Consolidating private loans into a private consolidation loan may be a good idea if you think you can get a better deal. However, it is very dangerous to consolidate federal loans into a private consolidation loan. You will lose your rights under the federal loan programs once you choose to consolidate with a private lender.
Can I switch to a more affordable repayment plan?
Yes. FFEL lenders must allow you to switch at least once each year, but most will let you change more often if necessary. Borrowers with Direct Loans may change plans at any time by notifying the Department of Education.
Your payment goes first to accrued late charges or collection costs, then to any outstanding interest, and finally to outstanding principal. More info.
Interest on all federal loans is calculated on a simple daily basis.
How can I make payments relative to my income?
There are a number of programs to choose from depending on the type of loan you have and when it was disbursed. FFEL and Direct Loan borrowers can choose the Income Based Repayment (IBR) plan. The Direct Loan program also has an income contingent repayment plan. There is no minimum payment under these plans. The FFEL program also has an income sensitive repayment plan. Payments under this plan must at least cover the interest that accrues every month. Borrowers that take out new loans as of July 1, 2014 and certain other borrowers may also qualify for the “Pay As You Earn” plan. This plan became available on December 21, 2012. If you are eligible for the Pay as You Earn Plan, the “forgiveness” period will be 20 years instead of 25 years and you will be required to pay no more than 10% of your income toward federal student loans rather than 15%.
Do private loans have flexible repayment plans?
Most do not, but it depends on the lender.
The waiting period after graduation or withdrawal from school and before repayment begins. More info.
The government programs and some private lenders allow you to either get a deferment or forbearance to postpone repayment.
This is a postponement of repayment that is available only if you are not in default. The government has deferment programs for specific circumstances such as military service and unemployment. Interest does not accrue on subsidized loans during deferment periods.
This is a temporary postponement of repayment. Learn more.
Does interest accumulate during forbearance?
Yes.
Does interest accumulate during deferment and grace periods?
For subsidized loans, no. For unsubsidized loans, yes. However, this grace period “interest subsidy” was eliminated for Direct subsidized loans made on or after July 1, 2012 and before July 1, 2014.
Is repayment relief available for military service?
There is a government deferment program for certain military service members as well as other special rights for members of the military or National Guard serving on active duty.
How do I pay extra to reduce principal?
You must request in writing that the extra amount be applied to principal. Learn more.
How do I get back into repayment if I have defaulted on a federal loan?
The best ways are through consolidation or rehabilitation.
Is repayment relief available for private loan borrowers?
There is no specific federal law that requires private loan creditors to offer relief. If you are having trouble with a private loan, you should request a copy of your loan agreement to see whether the lender promised you any particular type of relief. You can also contact your lender to try to negotiate flexible repayment and other loan modifications.
DEFAULT AND DELINQUENCY
What is the difference between default and delinquency?
Delinquency means that you are behind on payments. Once you are delinquent for a certain period of time (usually nine months for federal loans), your lender will declare the loan to be in default. The entire loan balance will become due at that time. More info.
What are the consequences of defaulting on student loans?
You are not eligible for new loans and grants. The government can also seize tax refunds, garnish wages without a court order, take a portion of Social Security payments, and charge very large collection fees. Learn more.
How many payments do I have to miss before I default on a federal loan?
In most cases, you have to miss nine months of payments before you will be in default.
How does default occur on a private loan?
It depends on the grounds for default listed in the loan agreement. You can usually go into default on a private loan as soon as you miss a payment. More info.
How can I avoid going into default?
You can postpone repayment through deferment or forbearance — or with a private loan, through any other way you can negotiate with your lender. You can also try to switch to a more affordable repayment plan.
How do I get back into repayment from default?
The best ways are through consolidation or rehabilitation.
What are the differences between rehabilitation and consolidation?
Rehabilitation requires that you make nine reasonable and affordable payments in a ten month period. You can get out of default faster through the Direct Loan consolidation program, but you must select the ICR or IBR payment plans. There are pros and cons to both rehabilitation and consolidation.
Will the government or private lenders ever agree to settle student loan debt?
Sometimes, but they usually require a large lump sum payment. More info.
Will a default or delinquency show up on my credit report?
Yes, but in most cases, there is a time limit on how long the negative information will appear. More info.
LOAN CANCELLATION (DISCHARGE)
Is it possible to discharge a federal student loan?
Yes, in limited circumstances. More info.
Can I discharge my student loans if I am dissatisfied with the school I attended?
No, but you may qualify for a school-related discharge if the school closed while you were there or if the school falsely certified your eligibility for a loan. You may have other remedies if you were dissatisfied with your school, including state student tuition recovery funds.
Is there a discharge for military service?
Yes, in the Perkins loan program. Full-time military service also counts toward public service forgiveness. More info on special programs for military.
Does it matter what type of loan I have?
Yes. Some discharge options are only for certain federal loans. More info.
How do I apply for a loan discharge?
The government has developed forms for different types of discharge for you to fill out and send to your loan holder. Learn more.
How long does it take to get a response on a discharge application?
It depends on the type of discharge, but you might have to wait six months and possibly up to a year or more.
Will collection stop while I’m waiting for a reply to a discharge application?
Yes. In most cases, loan holders are required to stop collecting once they receive a completed discharge application. You can also request forbearance so that collection stops while you are gathering information for your application. However, the government says that it has the right to continue Social Security offsets while the application is pending. You may ask for a hardship suspension.
What are the 2010 disability discharge rules and will they affect me?
As of July 1, 2010, there is a new definition of “total and permanent disability.” Borrowers will qualify for this discharge not only if they are unable to work and earn money because of conditions that are expected to result in death, but also if they have conditions that have lasted or are expected to last for a continuous period of 60 months (5 years). Also, as of July 1, 2010, there are no longer conditional discharges. Borrowers can get final discharges as soon as applications are approved, but the Department of Education will still monitor borrowers for three years to check for earnings above allowable limits and for any new federal loans. New rules regarding veterans went into effect even before July 1, 2010. Veterans who have been determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition qualify for this discharge without having to provide additional documentation from a doctor.
Is evidence of a Social Security or Veteran Affairs disability decision sufficient to qualify for a student loan disability discharge?
For Social Security, no. For V.A., yes, if you have been determined to be unemployable due to a service-connected condition. The Department of Education issued new rules that will go into effect on July 1, 2013 and will allow certain Social Security recipients to apply for the student loan discharge using their Social Security status as proof of disability.
Will my student loan be discharged if I die?
If you have federal government loans, yes. This means that your estate will not have to pay back those student loans. Survivors can apply for a death discharge to cancel a borrower’s federal student loans.
Parent PLUS loans may be discharged if the student for whom the parent received the loan dies. Also, the death of both parents with a PLUS loan (assuming both took out the loan) is grounds for the “death discharge.” The death of only one of the two obligated parents does not cancel a PLUS loan.
There is no administrative discharge for private student loans if you die. Private loan debts will be handled the same way as other debts. That means that they will be part of your estate. This estate settlement process (also called probate) varies by state. Some private lenders will use their discretion and agree to discharge loans when a borrower or co-borrower dies.
Can private student loans be canceled?
Yes, but only if the private lender has a cancellation program. Most do not, but some such as Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo have announced full or partial cancellations due to death and disability.
Am I eligible for career-related loan forgiveness programs?
There are several career-related discharges that will cancel all or a portion of your loan if you work in certain professions, such as teaching. Some states also have loan forgiveness programs.
Can I cancel my loan if I’m working in a public service job?
Yes, if you are eligible for the public service loan forgiveness program. The Department of Education administers this program. You must have a Direct Loan to be eligible. Borrowers with other federal government loans can consolidate with Direct Loans in order to obtain this benefit. In order to qualify, you must not be in default and you must have made 120 monthly payments (10 years of payments) on your loans AFTER October 1, 2007. You must be employed in a public service job at the time of the forgiveness and must have been employed in a public service job during the period in which you made each of the 120 payments.
Can I get my federal loans canceled if I pay for a certain period of time, but am not working in a public service job?
Yes. The government will cancel any remaining balance if you make payments through IBR or ICR for 25 years. This limit will decrease to 20 years for new borrowers starting in 2014. At this point, unless the law changes, the canceled amount will likely be considered taxable income. However, you may not have to pay taxes if for example, you can show that you are insolvent. It is a good idea to consult a tax professional for more information.
Is it possible to discharge student loans in bankruptcy?
Yes, but it is much more difficult than discharging other types of unsecured debt like credit cards. You have to prove “undue hardship.”
Are all student loans treated the same in bankruptcy?
Most student loans are not dischargeable in bankruptcy unless you can prove “undue hardship”, but there are a few exceptions to this rule. More info.
Should I consider Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
In some cases, yes. More info.
How do I apply to discharge student loans in bankruptcy?
In addition to filing the regular bankruptcy petition in court, you also have to file a separate case, called an adversary proceeding. Learn more.
What if I already filed bankruptcy, but my student loans weren’t discharged?
You can reopen your bankruptcy case at any time to try to discharge the student loans. There should be no additional filing fee to reopen a case for this purpose.
How long does bankruptcy information stay on my credit report?
The fact that you filed for bankruptcy will be on your credit report for ten years.
COLLECTIONS
What special powers does the government have to collect student loans?
The government can seize tax refunds, wages, and even certain federal benefits like Social Security, all without first getting a judgment in court. In some states they can revoke professional licenses. More info.
Is there a limit on how much the government can take?
Yes, there are some limits. For example, in an administrative wage garnishment, the government can take no more than 15% of your disposable wages. No matter what, you get to keep an amount equal to 30 times the minimum wage (now $217.50/week). With Social Security offsets, the government cannot take SSI payments. They can take Social Security disability or retirement benefits, but no more than 15% of the total benefit. No matter what, the first $750/month cannot be taken.
Is there anything I can do to challenge government collection actions?
Yes. You have the right to request an administrative hearing. You may also be able to reduce or suspend collection if you can prove that collection will cause great hardship.
Do private loan lenders have the same collection powers?
No. Private loan lenders have less collection powers than the government.
Is there a time limit on how long student lenders can come after me to collect?
Not for collection of federal loans, but there is a time limit on private loan collection. The time limits for private loans vary by state, but are usually about six years after default.
What rights do I have if a collector is bothering me?
You have the right to be free from harassment and abuse and to send a letter to request that the collector stop contacting you. More info.
Can collection fees be added to my loan balance?
Yes, but there are limits on how much government lenders can charge you. The amount of private loan collection fees must be described in the loan contract. More info.
Will I be sued for collection on my student loan?
The government has the right to sue, but rarely does so because there are so many ways the government can come after you without suing. Private lenders also have the right to sue and may be more likely to do so because they have fewer collection powers than the government. Learn more.
Will the government or lender be able to collect from me if I am sued and lose my case?
It depends on whether you are “collection proof.” This means that your assets and income are small enough to be protected by federal and state law from seizure by creditors.
Are there special protections against collection for military service members?
Yes, including the right under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act to reduce the interest rate to 6% on any student loan, federal or private, incurred by a service member before active duty. Learn more.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
How can I find a lawyer to help me?
Click here.
Does the Department of Education offer assistance?
The Department of Education has an ombudsman office to help borrowers and a number of helpful publications. The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will also have a private student loan ombuds office.
Are there books about student loan problems?
The National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Law book contains a very detailed analysis of legal issues and student loans.
What are some other web sites with helpful information?
Click here.
Where can I go for more information about shopping for student loans and comparing different types of loans?
Click here.
How can I contact the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project?
Student Loan Borrower Assistance
A Project of the National Consumer Law Center
7 Winthrop Square, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
info@studentloanborrowerassistance.orgPlease understand that we do not provide legal advice about individual cases. We request that users first review the information on this site and e-mail only with general questions not answered here. Unless otherwise noted, we check e-mails daily. Due to the high volume of inquiries, please be patient if it takes us a few days to respond. We ask that media requests be sent separately to mediarequests@studentloanborrowerassistance.org.
This web site also includes links to other resources for those who seek individualized legal advice or other help not offered here.
RSS