Get started repaying your federal student loan

It is important to have a plan for repaying your student loan before the payments begin. Learn how to make your payments on time while keeping the cost manageable.

Make a plan and begin repaying your loan

Visit Student Loan Repayment for the information you will need to make your repayment plan. The page covers:

• The different types of repayment plans
• When you must start repaying your loan
• How to make your payments
• What to do if you are struggling to make your payments
• How to contact your loan servicer

Learn about student loan forgiveness programs

People who work in specific fields or who are in certain situations may be eligible for forgiveness of some or all their student loan debt.

Public service loan forgiveness

• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is the most common way that people apply to have their student loans forgiven. You may qualify if you work for:
• U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government
• The U.S. military
• A not-for-profit organization

Teacher loan forgiveness

You may qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program if you teach:

• Full-time
• Five consecutive years
• In a low-income school or educational service agency

Health care provider loan forgiveness

Three federal health care agencies sponsor loan forgiveness programs.

• National Health Service Corps - For providers in primary care and substance abuse disorder programs
• National Institutes of Health - For current and potential medical researchers
• Indian Health Service - For clinicians working at Indian Health Service facilities

Other situations for loan forgiveness

Other circumstances in which student loans are potentially eligible for forgiveness, discharge, or cancellation include bankruptcy, disability, and your school closing while you are enrolled.

Consolidating student loans

If you are having trouble keeping track of and paying multiple federal student loans, you may be able to combine them into one loan at a lower interest rate. Learn about Direct Consolidation Loans, including:

• The benefits and drawbacks of loan consolidation
• The types of federal education loans you can consolidate
• Eligibility rules
• The application process