Action 9: Advice for paying off student loans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of the big three credit bureaus, Experian, said 40 million Americans have college loan debt.
 
Trying to figure out how to make that debt more manageable can be overwhelming. 
 
Just ask Kathy Jones.  Her son, Allen, was the first person in the family to go to college.  He graduated from Lees-McRae College in Avery County.  But now, like many grads, he's stuck with student loans: $45,000 worth. 
 
Jones wanted to help him make those payments more do-able, but didn't know where to start.  "It is very frustrating," she told Action 9's Jason Stoogenke.
 
Stoogenke promised to find out where you start, for her and others.  "I really hope that this helps somebody else out," she said.
 
Stoogenke asked UNC Charlotte's head of financial aid, Bruce Blackmon. 
 
Blackmon said start with two steps:
1. Go to the national student loan database to see how much you owe. 
2. Go to this specific federal student aid website to see your options.
 
You used to have just one: a 10-year payment plan.  "Now you can get repayment rates based on income.

"You can get a 25-year plan, you can get a 30-year plan, or you can take the standard 10-year option," Blackmon said. 
 
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office also offers this advice:

If you're a recent graduate, remember that your loan may have a grace period between when you finish or leave school and before your first payment is due. Many loans carry a six-month grace period, after which you'll have to begin paying back your loan. Speak with your lender to make sure you know the grace period and when your first payment is due.
 
If you think you'll have difficulty managing your payments, talk to your lender right away. Paying late can harm your credit. If your loans go into default generally after about 270 days of delinquency your options for repayment become much more limited and may require you to work with a collection agency.
 
Check into loan-foregiveness programs to lower what you owe. Some veterans and service members qualify for federal education benefits that cover some or all of the cost of college. If you plan to use the GI Bill  check how much assistance you're eligible to receive. Make sure you know the maximum tuition and fee reimbursement amounts you qualify for per academic year. Veterans who are disabled during active service may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness.
 
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is available for people who hold federal student loan debt and work in the public sector. To qualify, you need to make 10 years of on-time student loan payments under an approved payment plan while working for a qualified public service employer, like the military, government or a nonprofit entity.
 
The keys to managing student loan debt:
 
* Stay informed. Check your monthly statements closely. Read all of the information about your loans and make sure you understand repayment terms. If you don't understand something, ask questions.
 
* Stay current and pay on time. Late or partial payments can do lasting damage your credit and lead to default. If you're struggling to pay your student loans, don't avoid the issue. Visit studentaid.ed.gov and use the repayment estimator to learn about different repayment plans and how they could help your situation.  Then contact your lender to go over your options further.
 
* Keep in touch with your lender. If you move or change your contact information, don't forget to let your lender know. Missing an update about your loans could set you back.
 
* If possible, get ahead on your balance. Save on interest and even shorten the life of your loans by paying off the most expensive loans first and paying down your debt early. Even a small amount extra each month can make a difference. Include specific instructions with these extra payments, directing that they be applied to the principal of your highest interest loans. Then monitor your account to make sure extra payments are applied correctly.
 
* Monitor your credit. Keep an eye on your credit reports to spot errors or misreported debts. Catching mistakes early can help you protect your credit score. You're entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, available at annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
 
If you run into problems with your student loans, contact your lender right away. My Consumer Protection Division is also available to help, toll-free, within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. 

WSOC