Managing student loans can be challenging, especially when rules change or servicers provide inconsistent information. These tools and resources can help you understand your repayment options, lower your monthly payment, explore forgiveness, and resolve issues with your servicer. If you have a question or concern, you can submit a complaint, call 202.727.8000, or email [email protected].
Current Borrower FAQs
These FAQs explain your rights, repayment options, and what to do if something goes wrong. If you experience an issue with your loans or servicer, the OSLO can help you understand your options and submit a complaint.
What are student loans? What is the difference between federal and private loans?
Federal student loans are issued by the U.S. Department of Education. They offer fixed interest rates, flexible repayment plans, and access to income-driven repayment (IDR), forgiveness programs (like PSLF), and protections for borrowers experiencing hardship.
Private student loans are issued by banks, credit unions, or other lenders. Terms vary widely. They may require credit checks, may not offer IDR or forgiveness, and often have fewer consumer protections.
How do I apply for student loans?
To apply for federal student loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for grants, work-study, and federal loans. To apply for private loans, you must apply directly with a lender. Because private loans offer fewer protections, students should exhaust scholarships, grants, and federal options first. You can explore a list of available scholarships here.
How do I find out information about my student loans?
You can view all your federal student loan information in your account at StudentAid.gov. Your account allows you to:
- Identify your loan servicer
- See your loan balance and loan types
- Compare repayment plans
- Complete PSLF forms
- Apply for consolidation
- Enroll in income-driven repayment
You should also create an online account with your loan servicer. For private loans, you can find information by contacting your servicer.
How do I know whether my student loans are federal or private?
Log in to StudentAid.gov. Any loan listed there is a federal loan. You can also find student loans on your credit report, which you may access for free on a yearly basis through AnnualCreditReport.com.
What are my repayment options?
Federal loans have several repayment options including:
- Standard Repayment
- Graduated Repayment
- Extended Repayment
- Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans: IBR, PAYE*, ICR *, and RAP (PAYE and ICR are phasing out in July 2028)
IDR plans base your payment on income and household size. Many borrowers qualify for lower or even $0 payments under IDR. Generally, only IDR plans are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). You can simulate your payments under different plans using the FSA Loan Simulator or EDCAP Repayment Plan calculator.
I am entering repayment for the first time. What should I know?
When leaving school or your grace period, make sure you:
- Log in to StudentAid.gov and confirm your loan types and servicer
- Compare repayment plans
- Update your contact information with your servicer
- Consider enrolling in IDR if you want the lowest monthly payment
What is income-driven repayment (IDR)? What is IDR forgiveness?
An income-driven repayment (IDR) plan is a repayment plan that adjusts your monthly payment based on income and household size. For some people, payments on an IDR plan can be as low as $0 per month.
IDR plans offer forgiveness after 20, 25, or 30 years of qualifying payments. If you’re seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), you should repay your federal student loans under an IDR plan. Each year, you must update your income and family size (this is called recertifying your IDR plan). You can simulate your payments under different plans using the FSA Loan Simulator or EDCAP Repayment Plan calculator.
You can apply for an IDR plan online or submit a paper form, which you can get from your loan servicer.
What student loan forgiveness options are available to me?
Forgiveness programs include:
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness
- Borrower Defense to Repayment
- Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Eligibility depends on loan type, employment, repayment plan, and circumstances. Most borrowers receive forgiveness via PSLF and IDR. Borrower Defense is available to borrowers who were misled or defrauded by their school. TPD discharge might be an avenue if you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to physical or mental impairment.
What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you’ve made 120 monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan, while working at least 30 hours per week for the government or certain types of nonprofit employers. The payments do not need to be consecutive. Most public service workers seeking forgiveness need to make payments under an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan to ensure their payments count towards PSLF progress.
Are you a borrower interested in PSLF? You can:
• Find out if you have Direct Loans by checking your studentaid.gov account or calling the U.S. Dept. of Education at 1.800.433.3243.
• If you have any non-Direct Loans, apply to consolidate them, so they are eligible for PSLF. There are pros and cons to consolidating which you can read more about here.
• Fill out employment certifications for all qualifying employment since Oct. 1, 2007. You can do so online here.
• Enroll in an IDR plan and recertify your income on a yearly basis to continue earning credit toward forgiveness.
How can I reduce or postpone my payments? Is there a way to have a $0 payment?
There are options to manage or stop your student loan repayments when navigating the stress of economic hardship or job loss. There are temporary, time-limited options to stop loan repayment, called “deferment” or “forbearance,” and long-term repayment options like an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.
IDR is a repayment plan that adjusts your monthly payment based on income and household size. Under IDR, you can report an income of $0 when unemployed. For some people, payments on an IDR plan can be as low as $0 per month. IDR is a long-term solution compared to time-limited forbearance or deferment options. You can model your repayment options with Federal Student Aid’s Loan Simulator here. You can apply to an IDR plan here.
How do I prevent or get out of default?
To avoid default, make at least one payment, enroll in IDR, or seek a deferment or forbearance if you qualify. To get out of default, federal borrowers can:
- Consolidate the defaulted loan into a new Direct Consolidation Loan
- Enter loan rehabilitation by making nine on-time monthly payments
These options depend on your loan’s prior default, consolidation, and rehabilitation history. Debt collectors must provide notices and allow borrowers to request a hearing.
I have federal loans, and I am unable to work due to injuries. What now?
You may be eligible for total and permanent disability discharge. This would discharge your federal student loans and/or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligation. You can learn more here.
I have federal loans, and my school engaged in misconduct. What now?
You may be eligible for borrower defense to repayment, a legal ground for discharging federal Direct loans. You can learn more here.
How do I avoid student loan scams?
Never pay for help accessing federal programs, including lowering your monthly payment, accessing forgiveness, or consolidating your loans. Never give your FSA ID to anyone. Beware of “debt relief” companies charging fees and, if in doubt, contact OSLO to verify any offer.
Where do I go for help?
If you are experiencing problems with your student loan servicer, such as long hold times, lack of responsiveness, inaccurate billing, payment application errors, or incorrect credit reporting, you can submit a complaint to OSLO as a District borrower. We review and escalate complaints and help you understand your rights under DC and federal law.
You can submit a complaint here, call 202.727.8000, or email [email protected].
You may also submit a complaint to the following entities:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Borrowers may submit complaints about the Department of Education, servicers, lenders, or credit reporting issues to the CFPB. The CFPB forwards complaints to companies for response and helps track patterns of harmful practices.
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) - Borrowers can submit a complaint here for any issues related to their student loans, such as loan servicer problems, school financial aid issues, or potential scams. Generally, borrowers with issues with Department of Education-administered programs, such as PSLF, must submit a complaint through this portal to be placed in FSA’s complaint queue.
Borrower Resources
As a current borrower, these tools may be helpful as you navigate your repayment and forgiveness options:
- EDCAP Student Loan Payment Calculator - Helps borrowers model monthly payments under different federal repayment plans, including income-driven repayment (IDR) which is generally needed to make Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying payments.
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) Loan Simulator - A U.S. Department of Education tool that lets borrowers preview repayment options, compare plans, estimate payment amounts, and evaluate the long term cost of different strategies.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool – The Department of Education’s central tool for verifying employment for PSLF and determining if an employer is qualified for PSLF. You will need your employer’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), located on your W2, and an email to an HR contact at your current/former employer. For DC government employees, the EIN is 536001131 and the DCHR verification email is [email protected].
- Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Application – Borrowers interested in income-driven repayment plans can apply online here.
- District of Columbia Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights - District law provides strong protections for student loan borrowers, including rights to accurate information, fair treatment during servicing transfers, proper payment application, and protection from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.
- Tips for Borrowers to Avoid Scams - A DISB guide that offers clear warning signs of student loan scams, such as unsolicited offers, fake forgiveness programs, phishing attempts, and deceptive communications; and directs borrowers toward legitimate resources like StudentAid.gov and official servicer contacts.
- Webinars - OSLO and partner agencies host webinars to help student loan borrowers. These sessions walk through recent policy changes and offer step by step guidance on topics such as lowering your monthly payment, navigating delinquency, or exiting default.