If you are struggling to repay federal student loans, there are a variety or repayment options available to you. For instance, you can stick with the standard plan (ten years), go with a graduated repayment plan (your payment starts low and increases over time), or get an extended repayment plan (you stretch the payments over more than ten years).
And if you are a low-wage earner, going through a financial hardship, or have a large amount of student loans, the federal government has even more flexible plans available for repaying federal student loans (these plans don't apply to private student loans). In these plans, your payment depends on your income.
Finally, you may be able to consolidate one or more loans to get a better interest rate or terms.
How to Repay Your Student Loans
Learn about the different repayment plans for federal student loans, including several based on your income.
Tax Filing Status and Student Loan Payments
If you are married and have an IBR, ICR, or PAYE student loan payment plan, your tax filing status can affect the amount of your monthly student loan payment.
Federal Student Loan Consolidation: Pros and Cons
Federal Direct Consolidation Loans have advantages and disadvantages. If you’re considering consolidating your federal student loans, understand the pros and cons.
Do I have to pay my student loans if I'm unemployed?
If you're unemployed, you might be able to get a temporary break from repaying your federal student loans through a deferment or forbearance.