The College Student's Guide to Paying Off Your College Loan

Book excerpt: ABOUT THE BOOK Graduation from college is a time of joy and relief, but for those saddled with student loan debt, it can also be a time of fear and trepidation. Students get a six-month grace period before they’re required to start paying their loans, but this will pass quickly, so it is a good idea to start planning how to pay off your student loans as soon as possible. The good news is, student loan debt is one of the best kinds of debt to have. It carries a low interest rate, and there are many different payment plans that can be utilized in order to pay down the debt. The most important thing to remember is that it is very important to address student debt and not ignore your student loan payments. The loan companies have many different programs to help you reduce your debt and avoid accruing more interest, but it is vital that you stay in touch with these companies so that they understand your unique financial situation. When you get a new job or lose a job, the terms of your student loan payment agreements will change accordingly. Anytime you have a major life change, you will need to consider how it will affect the repayment of your student loans. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK There are also some programs that offer student loan forgiveness. When a student loan is forgiven, a portion or all of the debt amount is wiped clean and you are no longer required to pay. Some student loan forgiveness programs are based on the type of career that you have. Teaching Programs If you owe on Stafford student loans, you can teach full time for five consecutive years in a low-income public school, and you may be eligible to have a portion of your loan cancelled. This program is set up to encourage graduates to utilize their skills in improving the American public school system. You can find out more about this forgiveness program on the Federal Student Aid Website on their Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers page. Buy a copy to keep reading!