A student loan is a good source of financial support, particularly for youths seeking a chance to quench their thirst for higher education.
On the brighter side, it is a key to opening doors to new career prospects. However, if you default, a student loan may entangle you with a murky debt situation you will find difficult to come out of.
Let's discuss what consequences a student loan defaulter may anticipate and what they can do to avoid such a grim scenario.
What Is Delinquency?
Your loan slides into the delinquent or past due status on the first day after you delay repayment. It remains so until you clear the past-due amount or enter into alternative arrangements like:
- Pausing making repayments temporarily or scaling down the monthly installment
- changing repayment plans
- Making repayments according to your level of income
If you don't act to move your loan out of delinquency for over 90 days, your loan issuer will report you to major credit bureaus. If you are still stuck, it will be escalated into default.
Circumstances Leading to a Loan Repayment Failure
This occurs when one breaches the terms of repayment. For federal loans, for example, under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, you are declared in default after two hundred and seventy days without remittances
Default terms on private loans may vary, but the principle is the same. For example, some loan programs will flag you just one day after the due date.
What should a defaulter expect?
Besides affecting your borrowing ability, defaulting can also impact your overall finances.
Here is the dark side of failing to fulfill your loan obligation:
- The pending amount and interest go into the acceleration state. This means your issuer can press you to clear the entire loan and interest because it is overdue.
- You forfeit the benefit of pausing or renegotiating a possible repayment regime. Additionally, you become ineligible for other available options to ease your pressure
- You can no longer access other forms of federal student support
- Once your name is forwarded to credit reference bureaus, your credit rating dips, stifling all chances of buying a house or car or acquiring a credit card.
- Restoring your credit record may take a while if you continue struggling financially.
- You may forfeit your federal benefit payments and tax refunds. They may be withheld and channeled towards your debt repayment in what is also called a Treasury offset.
- Your employer can be authorized to retain part of your salary. This portion shall be channeled toward settling your debt.
- You may be dragged to court and possibly slapped with litigation and other costs along the recovery process.
- Your institution (college or university) may keep your transcripts.
- You may lose your financial security and end up in strained relationships, increased stress, and the inability to spare anything for emergencies and retirement.
- Someone in such a debt is financially inflexible and may even struggle to meet their basic needs. This can result in a poverty cycle that is difficult to break.
- You may struggle to return to school. This limits your chances of pursuing further education to boost your job prospects and income potential.
Strategies for Avoiding Default
In case you are contemplating taking a student loan, here are some strategies you may apply to avoid a default.
Communicate Early
Upon sensing your looming financial difficulties, get in touch with your lender to discuss the situation. They might suggest temporary relief options earlier mentioned,
If you can’t agree on an alternative solution with your lender, contacting a lawyer specializing in student loans may help you. Seek a lawyer for professional advice, including your rights under such circumstances.
Auto-Payments
The check-off or automatic loan repayments through your bank are among the best ways to ensure you never skip or delay a repayment.
Make Extra Payments
Make additional payments to bring down the principal balance if you find extra cash. To save extra cash for such a purpose, avoid spending on, for example, an essay writing service. Ultimately, you clear the loan faster and cut down on the interest costs
Stay Informed
Loan insurers will always communicate any changes within their loaning scheme. You should read such correspondence carefully to stay updated about your debt status, especially concerning adjustments in the interest rates.
Check to Verify Your Qualification for Debt Forgiveness
Dig out relevant loan forgiveness programs to ensure that you qualify for them. For example, if you are in the public service sector, check out the Public Service Loan Forgiveness to confirm your eligibility.
Find Jobs with Student Loan Benefits
Many employers extend financial support to help employees manage their debt burden. You may prioritize this item while looking for a job.
Monitor Your Credit Closely
Download and scrutinize your credit report regularly to confirm that your loan remittances are being posted accurately. Any inaccuracies or errors should be reported swiftly.
Prioritize Loan Repayments
Given loan default consequences, let your loan repayment take priority in your monthly financial plan. Be keen on how you spend each dollar and drop all wasteful and unnecessary expenditures.
Prepare for Emergencies
Have an emergency fund to cater to emergencies? This ensures you won't have to meddle in your loan repayment reserve.
Seek Financial Counseling
Most often, people are under the illusion that they are in charge of their finances and, therefore, do not need financial literacy. You only regain your senses after making a wrong move and disrupting your cash flow.
It pays to always assume you know less and need more advice. This way, you remain open to advice and guidance that will lead you to make better financial decisions.
Refinancing and Consolidation
Refinancing and consolidation are viable options if you struggle to repay a private or federal student loan. These processes lessen the repayment pressure and lower your interest rates.
You should do everything possible to update your student loan to remain in good books. Remember, failing to clear such a debt may have life-long consequences. Thankfully, having read and understood all potential risks and remedial strategies, you must be in a better position to make informed decisions and choices.
