Chris O'Shea
Graduating college is a fantastic feeling. Having to pay off student loans after you graduate? Not so much. Yet have no fear. There are ways of doing it that make it more comfortable (ok, maybe less painful). Here’s what you should know about paying off your college debt.
Timing
Let’s get to the good news first: You have six months after you graduate before you have to start making payments on your student loan. This break is designed to give you a chance to get a good-paying job and figure out what repayment plan you can afford.
Get On It
If you are financially able, you can make payments on your loan during your grace period. This is a great way to get ahead of things. The more you pay, the less interest you’ll get stuck with over time.
Payments
Before you pick a payment plan, you should first figure out the following:
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The total you owe
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Your student loan servicer
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The minimum payment
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The interest rate
Once you know all of that info, look into repayment plans. Consider your finances and your financial goals. Perhaps you’d like to wait until you make a bit more money to hammer down the debt. If that’s the case, there are payment plans tied to your income — the more you earn, the more you pay per month. Maybe you’re already feeling financially stable and just want to get rid of the debt as fast as possible. If so, the 10-year repayment plan is right for you. Whatever you choose, make sure the plan fits your budget. You don’t want to start missing payments, as the interest will start to pile up and your credit score could take a hit. If you are struggling, talk to the loan servicer. They will be willing to work with you.
