You may have heard there are ways to get your student loans forgiven, but you might not know how or where to start. United Aid Group is here to help!
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on student loan forgiveness so that you can learn about the different programs available and decide which one is right for you.
What is Student Loan Forgiveness?
The government offers student loan forgiveness as an incentive to encourage people to enter certain professions. If you work in public service or for a non-profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness after 10 years of paying your student loans. You can also receive student loan forgiveness if you become disabled or die.
Student loan forgiveness is a way of reducing or eliminating your student loan debt. It’s important to understand that student loan forgiveness is not automatic – you must apply for it and meet specific qualifications. If you think you might be eligible for student loan forgiveness, contact your loan servicer to find out more.
The Different Types of Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
There are four main types of student loan forgiveness programs:
1. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
This program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. To be eligible, you must work for a government, nonprofit organization, or public service job.
2. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
This program forgives up to $17,500 of your Direct Loans if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income elementary or secondary school or educational service agency. You must also have been a highly-qualified teacher during that time.
3. The Perkins Loan Cancellation and Discharge Programs
These programs cancel your Perkins Loans after making qualifying monthly payments or working in specific professions. For example, you may be eligible for cancellation of up to 100% of your Perkins Loans if you teach full-time in a primary or secondary school serving low-income students, for at least five years.
How to Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness
There are a few ways that you may qualify for student loan forgiveness. You may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if you work in specific public service jobs. This program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
If you are not employed in public service, you may still qualify for loan forgiveness through an Income-Driven Repayment Plan. These plans are designed to make your monthly student loan payments more affordable based on your income and family size. Any remaining balance on your loan will be forgiven if you make payments for 20 or 25 years (depending on the plan).
If you are having trouble making your monthly student loan payments, you should contact your loan servicer to discuss your options. They may be able to offer you a different repayment plan or deferment, or forbearance, which would allow you to stop making payments or make lower payments temporarily.
What to Do if You Can’t Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness
If you’re struggling to repay your student loans and can’t seem to qualify for student loan forgiveness, don’t despair. There are still options available to help you get out of debt.
— Consolidate your loans into a single loan with a lower interest rate. This can help you save money on interest and make your monthly payments more manageable.
— Refinance your loans. This involves taking out a loan with a lower interest rate to repay your existing loans. This can also help you save money on interest and lower your monthly payments.
— Temporarily postpone. If you’re having trouble making your monthly payments, you may be able to temporarily postpone them or reduce the amount you owe each month through an Income-Driven Repayment Plan. You can learn more about these options by contacting your loan servicer.
Several private organizations offer student loan assistance programs. These programs can help you lower your monthly payments or even get your loans forgiven. Do research before selecting a program, as some programs may have fees or other requirements.
Whatever option you choose, don’t give up hope of becoming debt-free. With a little effort and perseverance
Conclusion
There are several ways to receive student loan forgiveness through the United Aid Group. You can work for a qualifying employer, join the military, or become a public servant. If you cannot do any of those things, you can consolidate your loans or make income-based repayments.
Many options are available to help you get rid of your student loans, so don’t give up hope.
Talk to a representative from the United Aid Group today to see what option is best for you.
