PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

REPAYING YOUR STUDENT LOANS

What you need to know about repaying student loans...

After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a period of time before you have to begin repayment. This “grace period” will be

• six months for a Federal (FFEL) or Direct Stafford Loan.

• nine months for Federal Perkins Loans

(If you’re a parent reading this and you have a FFEL or Direct PLUS Loan, you don’t have a grace period—repayment generally must begin within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.)

	Loan Exit Counseling
	Get Your Loan Status & Information
	Paying Back Your Loan
	FFEL and Perkins Loans
	Direct Loan Servicing Online
	Electronic Payment
	Having Difficulty Repaying?
	Loan Discharge (Cancellation)
	Cancellation and Deferment Options for Teachers
	Loan Consolidation
	Defaulting