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Making Payments

You CAN pay back your student loan.

School is over, and it's time to pay back the money you borrowed.

You MUST pay back your loan even if you didn't graduate, did not finish your education within the regular time frame, aren't satisfied with the education you received, or can't find a job.

Benefits of Paying Interest
Find out how paying your interest while you are in school could save you hundreds of dollars!
Grace Period
Find out the benefits of making payments during your grace period, if your loan has one.
Ways to Pay
Make student loan payments using Direct Debit (if available) or make them online, by phone, and/or by mail. The choice is yours.
Repayment Plans
Decide which payment plan may work best for you (if you qualify).
Repayment Q&A
Take our Q&A to find out what you may already know about your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Loan Consolidation
Combine one or more existing student loans into a single new loan.
Loan Payoff
Say goodbye to monthly payments and pay your loan in full.

Important!

When it's time to start paying back your student loan, you will receive a document called a "Repayment Disclosure" from your lender/loan servicer. If you do not receive this document before you enter repayment, contact your lender/loan servicer as soon as possible. Your lender/loan servicer will be able to tell you when your first payment is due, the amount of your payment, and where to send it. You must begin repayment on time even if you do not receive a Repayment Disclosure.

Supporting Content

Helpful Hint

Don't know who services your federal loans?
Sign in to StudentAid.gov to find out.

Test Your Knowledge

What was the average student loan debt among seniors graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2012?

‹less than $10,000
$10,000 to $20,000
›greater than $20,000

3. ›greater than $20,000

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) National Postsecondary Aid Study (NPSAS), the average student loan debt among these students was $29,400.