Preparing for College

How do I help my child prepare academically and/or financially for college?

Where can I apply for financial aid?

Understanding Your Loan Repayments

Understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. 

Understand the repayment options that are available to you. 

Choose a repayment plan that best meets your needs. 

Find out which organization is servicing your loans.

Difficulty Repaying Loans

Know your deferment options.

Communicate with your loan servicer by contacting the Financial Student Aid Office of the Ombudsman. 

Learn ways to avoid loan default.

Find out who your current lenders or loan servicers are.

Loan Consolidation

Learn the steps to consolidating your loans. 

Verify that you are eligible to consolidate your loans. 

Managing your debt

Make a plan and create a budget.

See if extended repayment can help you.

Learn how to build good credit and how your credit score affects you. 

Get some federal income tax relief on money spent on education-related expenses.