Congratulations! You’re graduating soon and will be searching for your first job out of college. It’s an exciting time in your life. However, if you’re like the majority of college students, you’re also graduating with student loan debt. Now is a good time to make sure you’ve got a plan to manage your student loans after you graduate.
Here are some easy steps you can take to set yourself up to successfully manage your student loans.
First, Identify All of Your Student Loans
The best place to start is at the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You can find information here about all of your federal loans. This will give you all the details you need to understand how much you’ve borrowed on your federal loans. You can also find out who to contact for questions about your federal student loans.
If you used private loans from a bank or other financial entity, check with your lender to make sure you have the correct loan information.
Next, Get an Idea of What Your Monthly Payments Will Look Like
At StudentLoans.gov you can access a repayment estimator for your federal loans that will give you an idea of what your monthly payment would look like under the different repayment plans available. Depending on your individual circumstances, it’s likely there is a plan that will work for you. If you have relatively low debt and a good salary, you may want to pay off your loans ASAP. The standard 10-year repayment term allows you a fast and low-cost method to pay off your loans. (Nelnet Bank actually offers a 5-year repayment term that would be even quicker – and a lower cost method.)
If you have a higher debt load or lower income, there are federal options that base your student loan payment on your income. Income-driven repayment plans are often helpful since they give you a more affordable monthly payment based on your income. You can learn more about these options as well as how to apply them to your student loans at StudentLoans.gov.
For private loans, visit your lender’s website to access repayment calculators. Or, simply contact your private loan provider for additional information on what monthly repayment amount you can expect.
Know When Your First Payment is Due
With federal loans, you have the ability to postpone payments while you’re enrolled in school at least a half-time. This is also true of some private loans. That means you’ve probably not made any payments on your loans, or perhaps you’ve made some small payments to offset accruing interest. You are also given a grace period on your loans. The grace period is typically six months from your last day of school. The last day is usually considered when you graduate or have dropped below half-time enrollment. At the end of that grace period is when your first payment will be due. Make sure you know when that due date is. That will give you plenty of time to prepare and budget for that new payment. (Keep in mind that interest continues to accrue on many of your loans even while payments aren’t due. That interest is added to your principal loan balances. If you can make payments earlier than your first payment dates, it will help reduce what you pay in the long run.)
Know Your Options if you Have Difficulty Making Payments and Need Assistance
There are a number of options for borrowers who encounter situations that make it difficult to manage their student loans. Your student loan servicer will work with you to find a solution, but you have to contact your servicer to get assistance. For example, if your income has changed dramatically you might want to change to an income driven repayment plan or adjust the plan you’re on based on your change in income. Additionally, if you return to school, to pursue a graduate degree for example, you can postpone (or defer) your student loans while you’re back in school. Don’t make the mistake of simply ignoring your student loan payments and damaging your credit score.
As you look forward to graduation and starting a new chapter in your life, just remember to do a little planning and research how to best manage your student loans and find the best repayment plan for your situation. And remember, your student loan servicer is there to help you if you have any questions.
Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.
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