Where should I start with federal student loans?

Confirm which kind of loan you have

Federal Student Aid guidance concerns federal loans. Do not assume that a private education loan has the same repayment, default or relief options.

Use records you already have to identify the loan and servicer. This guide does not access your account or determine your status.

• Separate federal and private loans in your own notes.
• Find the current servicer using your trusted loan records.
• List the questions you need answered about the current payment or status.

Compare repayment options through the official tool

Federal Student Aid now calls its tool the Repayment Calculator, formerly Loan Simulator. It uses loan information to compare eligible federal options.

The results are estimates. Final repayment terms are set after the servicer processes the application; this site does not reproduce eligibility rules or promise forgiveness.

• Use the current official calculator and explanations.
• Compare payment estimates with total cost and other conditions.
• Ask the servicer about an unaffordable payment or temporary difficulty.
• Do not treat an illustrative result as an approved plan.

Use the default-resolution route when needed

Defaulted federal loans have their own process, including rehabilitation. Use current Federal Student Aid instructions rather than a generic settlement percentage.

This guide does not publish collection restart dates, garnishment figures or a universal rehabilitation schedule. Those details depend on current official rules and the actual loan.

• Keep official notices with your loan records.
• Confirm which official office or servicer handles the question.
• Write down the terms of any proposed arrangement before deciding.

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