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What are my private student loan options?

Student Loan Default and How to Avoid It

Private student loans offer current rates as low as 5.09% to 14.50%. Click here to find a preferred lender.

The consequences of defaulting on federal or private student loans can be severe. The U.S. Department of Education, in particular, possesses strong powers for collecting on defaulted federal student loans.

What Can Happen When Student Loans Go Into Default

Characteristic Federal Student Loans Private Student Loans
Number of days of non-payment to go into default 360 days Typically, 120 days, but different lenders may have a different time-frame depending on their loan contracts
Action required to garnish your wages U.S. Department of Education can garnish without a court order Lawsuit and court judgment required
How much disposable pay can be garnished? Up to 15% Up to 25%
Can collection charges be added? Yes —  Collection costs can be as high as 24%, but can be reduced to 18.5% if you consolidate out of default or as low as 16% if you rehabilitate the loan Yes (not limited)
Default reported to credit agencies? Yes Yes
Can Social Security disability and retirement benefits be withheld? Yes — up to 15% No
Can tax refunds be intercepted/offset? Yes No
Bankruptcy discharge Nearly impossible Nearly impossible

Tips for Avoiding Default

  • Borrow only what you can afford to repay in a reasonable amount of time based on your future salary.
  • Find out if you are eligible for a repayment plan that's a better fit for your current financial circumstances.
  • Request a temporary suspension of payments with a deferment or forbearance.
  • Look into programs for forgiveness or discharge of your federal student loans.
  • Consolidate your loans to get a lower and more affordable payment.

Already in Default?

If you are currently in default on your federal or private student loans, the first thing you should do is contact your lender or loan servicer to find out how to get your loans out of default, which is sometimes referred to as rehabilitation. You can rehabilitate defaulted federal student loans either by making a number of consecutive, full, voluntary monthly payments or by consolidating your federal loans and agreeing to repay the consolidation loan under an income-based repayment plan.

Your primary goal should be getting a monthly payment you can afford right now. When your finances improve, you can speed up your payments to save money on interest.

What to do next?

Student Loan Contacts

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Up to four repayment types (including no payments while in school) and multiple repayment terms help you find the loan that fits your budget

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Income Share Agreement

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Payments based on a fixed percentage of future income for up to 60 months after graduation

Only pay when earning more than the $30,000 minimum income threshold.

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Payments based on a fixed percentage of future income.

 

Lower (or no) payments when you're unemployed or underemployed.

Sallie Mae Private Student Loans

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What are my private student loan options?