Sunday, April 20, 2014

Important Student Loan Repayment Advice

By Essie Osborn


Nowadays, many people choose to get a higher education and they are able to do this through help from student loans and grants. While grants do not have to be paid back, loans do. There are many resources available to those interested in student loan repayment advice, as it can take years to pay off this debt. This information can be helpful to students who have graduated, decided to take a break from schooling or are currently enrolled. Staying ahead can make paying off these loans seem more manageable.

Individuals should always be aware of their loans. That is, keeping up to date on the repayment status, lenders and balances for each loan in their name. The details are very important and even beneficial for setting up a repayment solution. People who do not know this information can refer to loan paperwork and billing statements, school records or the lenders.

Keep in mind grace periods. Every loan will have a different grace period, which is how long a person can wait after they have left school before they are required to make their first payment. This timeline will vary between federal and private loans and so it is important to find out so that you do not miss your first payment.

Stay in contact with the lender. Whenever you change your email address, phone number or mailing address, be sure to let the lender know that as soon as possible. If a lender tries to get in touch and cannot do so because of outdated contact information, problems can arise. Make sure to open and look over every piece of mail that is sent to you regarding these loans. It is not encouraged to avoid contact with collection agencies or lenders regarding these loans. Lenders usually work with borrowers and can help resolve issues and even set up payment solutions.

Make sure to set up the right repayment option for you. Loan payments, by default, are set to a 10-year plan. If the monthly bill is too much for you to afford, there are options. Sometimes plans can even be switched up later on during the line. Extending the payment period beyond 10 years will make for lower monthly payments but higher interest paid over time.

There are income-driven plans that allow borrowers to pay according to their income or earnings. This can help cap the monthly payments to a reasonable amount of the yearly income. Forgiveness might also be available, after making payments over a certain amount of time. Loans that are private do not usually allow for income-based repayment or other such federal set ups, including forgiveness, forbearance and deferment. Still, a lender might offer some solutions for people or allow borrowers to make payments on the interest only for a specified amount of time.

If possible, lower the payment. Keep track of all loan information in records in the event that there are discrepancies. It is recommended that individuals pay off the most expensive loan first, specifically that with the highest interest. Those with federal and private loans should therefore pay private first because they have high interest and less flexible with repayment. Consolidation may be an option. This involves all the bills being bundled into one so borrowers have a fixed interest and one monthly bill.

Do not worry too much. There are solutions for those who are struggling to pay their dues because of unemployment, troubles with finances, health problems. Deferment and forbearance are some examples of ways that can postpone the payments. Avoiding the loans is considered counterproductive and may lead to other problems.




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