Student loan rules have changed a lot lately, and it is hard to tell what is still true. Rather than repeat information that may be out of date by the time you read it, this page points you to a few trusted nonprofits that keep their guidance current. All of them are free.
Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is a nonprofit that works on consumer rights. Its Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project explains your options in plain language and updates its pages as the rules change.
Their site can help you:
- Find out what loans you have (the rules change based on what type of loan you have),
- Understand the difference between federal and private loans, and
- Sort out the facts from the myths.
Their Student Loan Toolkit is a guide you can download, fill in, and print. It walks you through your situation and gives you one place to write down your loan information.
If you have federal student loans
Federal loans come with protections and programs that private loans do not have. NCLC can help you learn about:
- Your payment plan options, including plans based on your income,
- Why refinancing may be a bad idea, because it turns a federal loan into a private one and you lose those protections,
- Whether your loans could be canceled or forgiven, and
- How to get out of default if you have fallen behind.
⚡ Act quickly: Federal student loans go into default after you miss payments for 270 days — about 9 months. Once that happens, the government can take part of your paycheck, your tax refund, and part of your Social Security without suing you first. Getting out of default stops that, so do not wait. Learn more about default and collection on federal loans.
If you have private student loans
Private loans come from banks and other companies. There are fewer programs, but you still have options. NCLC can help you learn about:
- Your repayment options,
- How to settle the debt for less than you owe if the loan is already in default, and
- Whether bankruptcy or another program could erase the debt.
They also cover money you owe directly to your school — like unpaid tuition, fees, or fines — including what rights you may have if the school is holding your transcript.
Free one-on-one help
The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA) is a nonprofit that answers personal student loan questions for free. You do not have to register or pay anything.
TISLA works by email only. They usually reply within one business day. Send them your question.
Help from the State of Illinois
The Illinois Attorney General runs a Student Loan Helpline. Call 1-800-455-2456 if you are having trouble with your loan servicer or you think a company has treated you unfairly.
Keep up with changes
The Student Debt Crisis Center is a nonprofit that pushes for changes to student loan policy. They are not counselors or lawyers, but their resource hub is a good place to keep track of what is changing and when.
⚠️ Watch out for scams: Be careful about paying a company to "help" with your student loans. Companies that charge you often promise things they cannot deliver, and some take your payment and do nothing at all. Be especially careful with anyone who contacts you first, asks for your studentaid.gov login, or wants a fee up front.