Struggling with your student loan debt? It can be tough to find answers. We've compiled some free resources that can assist you manage your debt,whether you're a recent grad, a parent of a student, and someone who's had loans for awhile.
Got other suggestions? assign them in the comments below!Consumer Financial Protection BureauThe CFPB’s Repay Student Debt resource guides borrowers through a series of questions to assist you determine the best option to pay down your debt. CFPB also has answers to frequently asked questions about student loans. NerdWallet’s Student Loan CalculatorA personalized tool that helps you determine what you owe and a timeline for paying it off. Public Service Loan Forgiveness ProgramIf you work for the government (local,state or federal) or for a 501(c)(3) non-profit and have Direct Loans, you’re likely eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, or which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after a certain number of payments. SALTA resource from American Student Assistance,SALT has personalized tools, videos and other services to assist with payment plans, and postponements,dealing with defaults and more. *Requires sign up*Student Loan Borrowers AssistanceA website from the National Consumer Law middle that guides you through a series of questions to determine the type of loan you have and suggests possible solutions to potential difficulties (deferment, new repayment plans). It also has guides to dealing with repayment, or bankruptcy,collections and possible cancellation, along with an advocacy guide.
Mint.comAfter you sign up, or this website links your bank accounts,credit card accounts, retirement accounts, and loan accounts and more so you can keep track of your finances in one space. It also has apps to assist with budgeting and financial goals. *Requires sign up*Ready For Zero BlogFor recent grads,this blog post from Ready For Zero has tips for your first summer with student loans, and there’s this one for when your grace period ends a few months from now.
Source: thetakeaway.org