Old student loans and going back
If you borrowed for college before, those loans affect your return. Most situations can be sorted out, and the first step is knowing where your loans stand.
Find your loans
Your StudentAid.gov account lists every federal loan, its servicer and its status. Private loans do not appear there; your credit report lists them.
What to do
- Check every federal loan on StudentAid.gov
- Resolve any default before you apply
- Confirm in-school deferment with your servicer
- Never pay a company for free federal loan help
If a loan is in default
A federal loan in default blocks new federal aid until it is resolved. The routes back include loan rehabilitation, a series of agreed monthly payments, and consolidation. StudentAid.gov explains each one, and your loan holder can set it up. Free help is available, so be wary of companies that charge for it.
Getting a defaulted loan back on track is free to arrange with your loan holder.
Pausing payments while you study
Federal loans in good standing can usually be deferred while you are enrolled at least half time. Your school reports your enrollment, but check with your servicer that the deferment has started.
Where this comes from. The official page behind this article is Getting out of default, studentaid.gov. Rules change each year, so check it before you act.