U.S. Department of Education
I'm Ready to Open a Casework File
1. I would like assistance paying for college. Where do I start?
A wide variety of financial and other resources are available for prospective students seeking financial aid for college through the form of grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and work study. A great place to start is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. Specific information on the various financial aid options are available for review at visit www.ed.gov/fund/grants-college.html. You may also wish to contact the financial aid office at the institution of higher education you plan to attend, as they may be aware of additional options available to you.
If you are seeking financial aid for college, there are a variety of resources available to you through the federal government. You may first wish to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. To review specific information on the financial aid options that may be available, please visit www.ed.gov/fund/grants-college.html. You may also wish to contact the financial aid office at the institution of higher education you plan to attend, as they may be aware of additional options available to you.
2. What options are available to me if I have defaulted on my student loans?
A default on student loans happens when a borrower fails to adhere to their loan payment schedule defined in the terms of their legally binding promissory note. The impact of a student loan default can create a difficult situation; however there is three primary options available for students stuck in a bind. These options consist of loan repayment plans, loan rehabilitation, and loan consolidation, all of which can be reviewed in more detail at www.studentaid.gov/repay-loans/default. The U.S. Department of Education recommends in the event of a student loan default that a borrower first contact the agency that is billing you to explain your situation and request assistance.
Defaulting on student loans occurs when a borrower fails to make payments on his or her student loans as scheduled according to the terms of their promissory note, which is the binding legal document a borrower signs at the time he or she takes a loan. If you default on your federal student loans, the three primary options available are loan repayment plans, loan rehabilitation, and loan consolidation. To review some of these options, you may visit www.studentaid.gov/repay-loans/default. Please note, in the event a borrower defaults, the U.S. Department of Education recommends first contacting the agency that is billing you to explain your situation and request assistance.
3. I cannot afford the monthly payments on my student loans. What can I do to avoid default?
Being a college student in America comes with its challenges, especially ones dealing with overwhelming debt resulting from financial aid. Fortunately The U.S. Department of Education has a variety of programs and resources available that can possibly provide assistance in repaying your student loans in a manner that is acceptable to both you and your student aid creditors. These resources are available Education Department’s website at www.studentaid.gov/repay-loans. In many instances, a borrower may be eligible for cancellation or discharge of his or her student debts under criteria made available for viewing by visiting www.studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.
The U.S. Department of Education has a variety of programs and resources available that may offer assistance in repaying your student loans. This information is available on the ED website at www.studentaid.gov/repay-loans. In certain circumstances, a borrower may be eligible for cancellation or discharge of his or her student debts. To review the criteria and options for discharge and cancellation, please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.