2024 College Graduates: Prepare for Student Loan Repayment – NerdWallet

A hearty congratulations on achieving such a significant milestone: your college graduation! As you embark on this new journey beyond the university environment, an equally important passage awaits—navigating the path of student loan repayment.

It’s pretty standard for graduates to receive a six-month grace period from the conclusion of their studies or upon falling below the half-time enrollment threshold. This grace period is a common feature among all federal student loans and is also available for some private loan arrangements. This means that if you tossed your graduation cap into the air in May, the first installment on your student loans would likely be due in November.

Given that student loan obligations can pose a challenge to establishing your financial independence, it is crucial to be proactive. Before the conclusion of your grace period, dedicate a few hours to thoroughly evaluate your student loan portfolio. Following this assessment, you can explore various strategies to manage your loans more effectively, potentially reducing your monthly payments.

Consider this content your introductory guide to the essentials of Student Loan Repayment 101.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of your student loan balance, the varieties of loans you possess, and the specifics of each, initiate this process by logging into studentaid.gov. Here, your dashboard will showcase the total federal student loan debt under your name. Additionally, you will find information regarding your federal student loan servicer—the entity appointed by the government to manage your loan repayment.

Ensure that you create an account on your servicer’s platform as well. It is here that your billing information will be managed. Should any queries or issues arise, reaching out to your servicer’s customer support will be your initial step.

For those with private student loans, visiting your lender’s website is essential to understand your loan balance and the available repayment options, as these can vary significantly between lenders.

Uncertain about the nature of your student loans or your lender’s identity? A quick examination of your credit report may provide the necessary details, as it likely lists the holders of your debts. Alternatively, your institution’s financial aid office could furnish this information, tracing back the sources of your tuition payments.

Upon ensuring that your contact and billing information is current in your servicer account, setting up student loan autopay is a wise decision. For federal student loans, enrolling in automatic payments qualifies you for a 0.25 percentage point deduction on your interest rate each month. For example, an interest rate of 5.50% would be adjusted to 5.25%. Over the duration of your loan, this can translate into considerable savings.

Moreover, autopay ensures that you never miss a monthly payment, maintaining your credit health and avoiding late fees.

It’s worth noting that some private lenders also incentivize setting up autopay with an interest rate discount. Inquire with your lender to see if such benefits apply.

By default, federal student loan servicers assign borrowers to the standard 10-year repayment plan, distributing your total debt across 120 equal monthly payments, along with accumulated interest. However, should your debt be substantial or your income limited, monthly payments under this plan may be challenging to meet.

In such scenarios, an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan might offer a more manageable solution. These plans adjust your monthly dues to a percentage of your discretionary income, with the potential to extend your repayment term to 20 or 25 years. The U.S. government’s loan simulator can provide estimates for monthly and total payments under different repayment options.

Currently, two main IDR plans are available, though borrowers should brace for potential delays in IDR application processing. In some instances, an administrative forbearance of 60 days or more might be placed on your account upon application submission, during which payments are temporarily paused.

An effective approach to reducing your monthly student loan payment could be through refinancing, which involves replacing your current loan(s) with a new one boasting superior repayment terms or a lower interest rate.

For borrowers with private student loans, refinancing poses no inherent disadvantages, provided a more favorable interest rate or repayment term is secured. To be eligible for the most competitive rates, a credit score in the higher 600s, consistent income, and a debt-to-income ratio under 50% are typically required. Engaging a co-signer could further enhance your rate prospects.

When exploring refinancing possibilities, prioritize lenders that allow pre-qualification through a soft credit check, thereby safeguarding your credit score from potential impacts associated with hard inquiries.