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Get started repaying your federal student loan

It is important to have a plan for repaying your student loan before the payments begin. Learn how to make your payments on time while keeping the cost manageable.

Make a plan and begin repaying your loan

Learn about the new extension to the COVID-19 emergency relief pause in federal student loan repayments. Payments will restart sometime in 2023. The exact date depends on other events.

Visit Student Loan Repayment for the information you will need to make your repayment plan. The page covers:

  • The different types of repayment plans
  • When you must start repaying your loan
  • How to make your payments
  • What to do if you are struggling to make your payments
  • How to contact your loan servicer

Learn about student loan forgiveness

Learn the latest about the Student Debt Relief Plan, which courts have blocked. The plan would cancel up to $20,000 of student loan debt for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for other borrowers.

People who work in a few specific fields may be eligible for forgiveness of some or all their student loan debt.

Public service loan forgiveness

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program may be for you if you work for a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization.

Teacher loan forgiveness

You may qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program if you teach:

  • Full-time
  • Five consecutive years
  • In a low-income school or educational service agency

Healthcare provider loan forgiveness

Three federal healthcare agencies sponsor loan forgiveness programs.

LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2023

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