Our Student Loan Secrets: Resources

Death, Sex & Money

• Episode: Our Student Loan Secrets: Resources
• Website: Death, Sex & Money
• Feed URL: http://feeds.wnyc.org/deathsexmoney
• Published: 2017-06-21 11:00

Struggling with your student loan debt? It can be hard to find answers. We've compiled some free resources that can help you manage your debt, whether you're a recent grad, a parent of a student, or someone who's had loans for awhile.

Got other suggestions? Put them in the comments below!

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The CFPB’s Repay Student Debt resource guides borrowers through a series of questions to help you determine the best option to pay down your debt. CFPB also has answers to frequently asked questions about student loans. 

Forgive My Student Debt

Recommended by student loan expert Rohit Chopra, this site helps you figure out if you are eligible for public service loan forgiveness.

NerdWallet’s Student Loan Calculator

A personalized tool that helps you determine what you owe and a timeline for paying it off. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

If you work for the government (local, state or federal) or for a 501(c)(3) non-profit and have Direct Loans, you’re likely eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after a certain number of payments. 

TISLA 

The Institute for Student Loan Advisors, or TISLA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers free, unbiased, personalized advice about student loan debt. 

SALT

A resource from American Student Assistance, SALT has personalized tools, videos and other services to help with payment plans, postponements, dealing with defaults and more. *Requires sign up*

Student Loan Borrowers Assistance

A website from the National Consumer Law Center that guides you through a series of questions to determine the type of loan you have and suggests possible solutions to potential difficulties (deferment, new repayment plans). It also has guides to dealing with repayment, bankruptcy, collections and possible cancellation, along with an advocacy guide.

Mint.com

After you sign up, this website links your bank accounts, credit card accounts, retirement accounts, loan accounts and more so you can keep track of your finances in one place. It also has apps to help with budgeting and financial goals. *Requires sign up*

Ready For Zero Blog

For recent grads, this blog post from Ready For Zero has tips for your first summer with student loans, and there’s this one for when your grace period ends a few months from now.