5 Tips for Managing Your Student Loans

District residents have the highest student debts in the nation. More than 1 in 4 student loan borrowers in the District owe greater than $80,000 in student debt, and more than 1 in 7 are past due on their federal loans. This burden of student debt affects the day-to-day lives of District residents, making it harder for them to take important steps like buying a house, starting a family, or opening a business. 

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To help District borrowers, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) works to protect students from predatory schools and to help them understand their student loan repayment options. This week, AG Racine partnered with the Student Borrower Protection Center to host a training session for District government employees and residents to learn about repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs.

Here are some tips that can help you manage your student loans:

  • Find the right plan for you: For federal student loans, there are several Income-Driven Repayment Plans that can cap your monthly student payments based on your income and family size.
     
  • Discover if you are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF): This federal program allows borrowers who work in public service and make 120 qualifying monthly payments on their loans to apply to have the balance of their federal student loans forgiven. Learn how to find out if you qualify for PSLF.
     
  • Utilize free resources: You can find out more about repayment options, how to consolidate loans, and how to avoid student loan scams by visiting OAG’s Student Loan Resources at oag.dc.gov/studentloans. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has student loan resources online.
     
  • Submit a complaint: If you ever have problems with predatory lenders, debt collectors, or student loan servicers, submit a consumer complaint with OAG at oag.dc.gov or by calling (202) 442-9828. You can also submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
     
  • Learn where to go for more help: If you have questions about your unique student loan situation, you can contact the District’s Student Loan Ombudsman by calling (202) 727-8000 or emailing DCLoanHelp@dc.gov.

OAG works to protect student borrowers by enforcing the law when predatory schools and lenders take advantage of borrowers and provides education resources to help borrowers understand their rights. Borrowers can access free resources to learn about repaying their student loans at oag.dc.gov/studentloans.