U.S. Department of Education Loan Payment Guide

U.S. Department of Education Loan Payment – Student loans are a form of financial aid used to help students access higher education. Student loan debt in the United States has been growing rapidly since 2006, rising to nearly $1.4 trillion by late 2016, roughly 7.5% GDP. In finance, a loan is the lending of money by one or more individuals, organizations, or other entities to other individuals, organizations etc. The recipient incurs a debt, and is usually liable to pay interest on that debt until it is repaid, and also to repay the principal amount borrowed.

Loans usually must be repaid, in contrast to other forms of financial aid such as scholarships, which never have to be repaid, and grants, which rarely have to be repaid. When it comes to repaying your federal student loan, there’s a lot to consider.

READ THIS;5 Helpful Tips To Find Funding For Your New Startup

Understanding the details of repayment can save you time and money. Find out when repayment starts, how to make your payment, repayment plan options, what to do if you have trouble making payments, and more!.

Your loan servicer or lender must provide you with a loan repayment schedule that states when your first payment is due, the number and frequency of payments, and the amount of each payment.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) uses several loan servicers to handle the billing and other services on loans for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and for loans that were made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and that ED later purchased.

Types of students loans in the United State:

– Federal student loans made to students directly (Stafford and Perkins loans), These loans are made regardless of credit history (most students have no credit history); approval is automatic if the student meets program requirements. The student makes no payments while enrolled in at least half-time studies.

– Federal student loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but payments start immediately. Credit history is considered; approval is not automatic.

– Private student loans made to students or parents: Higher limits and no payments until after graduation, although interest starts to accrue immediately and the deferred interest is added to the principal,  so there is interest on the (deferred) interest (which Is not the case with subsidized student loans).

– Interest rates are higher than those of federal loans, which are set by the United States Congress. Private loans are, or should be, the last resort when federal and other loan programs are exhausted

– Loans eligible for payment are those made, insured, or guaranteed under parts B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or a health education assistance loan made or insured under part A of title VII or part E of title VIII of the Public Health Service Act.

1. Change your payment due date.

Do you get paid after your student loan payment is due each month? If so, contact your loan servicer and ask whether you’d be able to switch the date your student loan payment is due.

2. Change your repayment plan.

What you ultimately pay depends on the plan you choose and when you borrowed. If you need lower monthly payments, consider an income-driven repayment plan that’ll base your monthly payment amount on how much you make.

3. Consolidate your loans.

If you have multiple student loans, simplify the repayment process with a Direct Consolidation Loan—allowing you to combine all your federal student loans into one loan for one monthly payment.

If you and your loan servicer disagree about the balance or status of your loan, follow these steps to resolve your disputes:

4. Contact from the loan servicer:

Contact from the loan servicer is an organization that manages loans and collects payments on behalf of the lender, this payment will be made to your school’s loan servicer. The loan servicer assists you in making the right choice on which plans to choose. To know who is your loan servicer you have to contact www.NSLDS.ED.GOV

5. Solve the Issue with Your Loan Servicer

You may be able to solve a dispute by simply contacting your loan servicer and discussing the issue. This guide can help you work through an issue with your loan servicer to resolve the dispute.

6. Request Help from the FSA Ombudsman Group

If you have followed the guide and still cannot resolve your issue, as a last resort, contact the Federal Student Aid (FSA) Ombudsman Group. The FSA Ombudsman works with student loan borrowers to informally resolve loan disputes and problems.

Before contacting the FSA Ombudsman Group, use this checklist (PDF) to gather the information you’ll need to discuss the dispute with them.