🎓 Repayment Assistance
Student Loan Repayment Assistance: Where to Start in 2026
Short answer: Start by finding out which loans you have (federal or private) and whether you are current, late or in default. Federal borrowers can often lower payments through an income-driven plan, a different plan, or a temporary pause. Private borrowers depend on their lender. Nothing here is guaranteed, and eligibility depends on your own loans.
Step one: find out exactly what you owe
Most repayment problems get easier once you know what you actually have. Log in to StudentAid.gov with your FSA ID to see every federal loan, its balance, interest rate, servicer and status. Private loans will not appear there. For those, check your credit report or your lender statements.
Write down for each loan: the lender or servicer, the balance, the interest rate, the monthly payment, and whether it is current, past due or in default. Three questions follow from that list: Are my loans federal, private, or both? Can I afford the payment today? Am I behind?
Assistance options for federal loans
Federal loans come with built-in tools that private loans usually lack. Which ones you can use depends on the loan type and when it was first disbursed.
- A different repayment plan. Plans include fixed options and income-driven plans. Since July 1, 2026, the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) exists alongside others. Details are in our guide to federal repayment plans in 2026.
- Lower monthly payments. See how to lower student loan payments for the practical steps and trade-offs.
- Forgiveness or discharge. Some borrowers may qualify after years of payments or for specific circumstances. Read student loan forgiveness eligibility before assuming anything.
- Public service programs. Government and qualifying nonprofit employees should review PSLF requirements.
- Help if you are behind. Late or defaulted loans have specific fixes. See student loan default help.
If you have private student loans
Private loans do not have income-driven plans or federal forgiveness programs. Options are set by your lender and may include a temporary payment reduction, an extended term, or refinancing. Each has costs, so compare them carefully. Our guide to federal vs private student loans explains the differences, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers borrower resources and a complaint process.
A simple action plan
- List every loan and its status.
- Run your numbers in the Loan Simulator for federal loans.
- Contact your servicer or lender before you miss a payment.
- Ask about the specific options that fit your situation and get answers in writing when you can.
- Never pay a company upfront to do what you can do for free. See student loan scam warning signs.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- Waiting until you are in default. Contact your servicer early; more options exist before default.
- Assuming everyone qualifies for forgiveness. There is no broad, automatic federal forgiveness program available today. Programs have specific rules.
- Paying for help with free paperwork. Federal repayment applications are free at StudentAid.gov.
- Refinancing federal loans without thinking. Moving federal loans into a private loan generally means giving up federal protections.
Hypothetical example: A borrower with $30,000 in federal loans loses a job and cannot make the payment. Instead of skipping payments, they contact their servicer, ask about income-driven options and temporary pause options, and compare results in the Loan Simulator. Your own result will differ.
State-specific help
Some states run repayment assistance programs, usually tied to a profession such as health care, teaching or legal aid. See our state guides: California and Texas and Florida and New York.
Rules change. This guide was reviewed on October 21, 2026 against official sources. Federal student-loan programs, deadlines and court-driven changes can shift quickly, so confirm current details at StudentAid.gov before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources and references
Related guides
Request Student Loan Assistance Information
Tell us a little about your student loans so we can understand your request and contact you about potentially relevant information. Eligibility and outcomes are not guaranteed.