Some College Graduates difficult financial challenges when it comes time to start repaying their student debt. Here are some things to keep in mind that can make your life a little easier.
I know a young man recently graduated from college with a bachelor's degree. Together with its fresh stage, he is a student debt of over $ 44,000 dollars with the scheduled payments will exceed $ 500 per month. To compound his problems, he was working a temporary job, and will be released around the time he needs to start making payments. If you face a similar situation, it is important to carefully weigh their options.
What are your options?
Of course, the best thing to do is to repay your loan in a way that was agreed. Be proactive before payments begin. However, what can you do if you absolutely can not afford the payments you are facing.
not paying - go into default,
This is not really a choice. If you can avoid it in any way, do not allow to enter into a loan default. Default will negatively affect your credit for a very long time to come, and will make your life much more difficult.
Bankruptcy is also not sustainable. Some people have the misconception that if they can not afford their payments, they can simply file for bankruptcy and have their loans discharged. However, in all but the most extreme cases, it is not allowed. For example, in 2008 more than 72,000 loans to try to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy - only 29 of them were able to prove "undue hardship". Even if a person fails to prove hardship, they will probably only have the amount reduced - not eliminated
.consolidation - reducing the amount of your monthly payment
consolidation loans allow you to combine different types of federal loans to make repayment easier. Even if you have only one loan, you can consolidate. In this way, you essentially to refinance, which can provide lower monthly payments and longer repayment period - up to 30 years. However, be aware that consolidation may significantly increase the total amount you pay for your education.
Delaying payments through deferment or forbearance
Although selecting a repayment plan that you want when you first begin repayment, keep in mind that you can switch plans later if your financial situation changes.
Delay
During the delay, your payments and interest are deferred. You can defer your loan payments for specific situations. Military service, part-time college attendance and being able to find full-time job for several reasons.
Tolerance
If you are ineligible for the delay, You May be able to get a loan forbearance. During this period, You May not be required for payment, but interest is usually still charged. It can be very expensive, and if it does not enter into forbearance agreement with your lender, you should pay what you can as soon as possible to reduce the amount you pay in interest.
loan forgiveness
If you are fresh out of college and just starting to pay, you probably will not be eligible for this program. However, if you plan accordingly and integrate it into his career, and could potentially reduce the student loans is a substantial amount in the future.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness program gives you the opportunity to state your loans forgiven. To be eligible, you must make a 120 on-time monthly payments and be employed full-time public service job in the same period in which payments are made.
Be proactive when it comes to repayment.
Just be proactive and responsible now will make your life a lot less stressful as you return your loans.There are many options available to help you. Start looking for alternatives as soon as you think you might have trouble paying. Do not wait until it's too late, and you're missing payments.
These programs are subject to quite a few exceptions and conditions. So, even if you think your worthless, it's still worth considering to find out for sure. Learn the facts for themselves rather than relying on what they hear other people say.
You can find more information and options for repayment of federal student aid here: