Federal Student Loan Repayment

When you’re picking your federal student loan repayment strategy, your loan servicer will be your primary point of contact. To identify your federal student loan servicer, you can check the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

You can learn more about your federal student loan repayment options through Financial Wellness @ Penn’s “Understanding Student Loans” series. Consider reviewing the following modules:

 

Entering Repayment

Repayment for federal student loans begins after a grace period, during which you are not responsible for making payments toward your balance. The date of your first payment will depend on your chosen federal loan program:

  • Federal Direct Loans and Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans begin repayment six months after you graduate or are no longer enrolled at least half-time.

  • Health Professions Loans and Nursing Student Loans begin repayment nine months after you graduate or are no longer enrolled at least half-time.

  • Consolidated loans begin repayment the month after you complete the consolidation.

Federal Student Loan Repayment Options

You can choose different repayment schedules depending on your anticipated needs. You may want to use the information outlined below in conjunction with the loan repayment calculator to determine which repayment schedule is in your best interest.

When you enter repayment, you will automatically be placed into the Standard Repayment Plan, which spreads your loan repayment evenly over ten years. If you are unable to follow the standard repayment plan, you can speak with your loan servicer to request a different repayment plan. Below is an overview of the options available, but you can review the full list of repayment plans through the Federal Student Aid website.

You should select the repayment plan that is appropriate for you financially and aligns with your repayment goals. Keep in mind that extending the length of your repayment through income-driven repayment plans will lower your monthly payment, but it will also increase the overall cost of the loan as interest will accrue over a longer period.

Options for Delaying Repayment

If you are struggling to pay your student loans, most lenders offer deferment and forbearance periods. You should explore deferment first, as it contains more favorable terms for subsidized loans.

  • Deferment – Granted by lender for periods of continued enrollment or other special circumstances as defined by lender. This postpones repayment for up to 12 months. Subsidized loans will continue to cover interest during this time, but interest will accrue for unsubsidized loans. Your lender may have specific eligibility criteria.

  • Forbearance – Granted by lender for extreme financial hardship or in certain instances when deferment isn’t available. This postpones repayment for up to 12 months. Interest continues to accrue even on subsidized loans. Your lender may have specific eligibility criteria.

 

Loan Default

You are responsible for repaying your student loans, and it is very important that you communicate directly with your loan servicer if you are struggling to pay them back. If you do not make any payments on your federal student loans for 270-360 days and do not make special arrangements with your lender for deferment or forbearance, your loans will be in default and may be turned over to a collection agency.

You can read more about default on the FinAid website.