Understanding the importance of paying student loans helps you avoid delinquency and stay eligible for protections that make repayment manageable.

If you stop paying your student loan(s), they may move from delinquent status to default, and you can lose access to features like deferment, forbearance and certain repayment plans. Contact your loan servicer(s) if you are unsure of your loan status.

Staying current delivers benefits of student loan repayment by protecting your credit, keeping flexible payment options available and avoiding added costs. Depending on the loan type(s) and when your loans were disbursed, your account can enter default after as few as nine months of missed payments. Consequences of default may include:

• Losing benefits like deferment, forbearance and flexible payment options
• Administrative wage garnishment process
• Seizure of tax refunds or other government payments
• Increases to your loan balance due to federally mandated collection costs
• Default status reported to national consumer reporting agencies
• Placement of your loan(s) with a third‑party collection agency
• Legal action for the full amount owed

If you’re unable to make payments, contact your loan servicer(s) to discuss options such as income‑driven repayment, deferment or forbearance. For one‑on‑one guidance, ECMC Solutions repayment education can help you understand your choices, complete paperwork and get back on track.

If you don’t know the current status of your loan(s), check with your loan servicer(s). If you’re having trouble making payments, reach out to your servicer(s) right away to explore alternatives. If you need additional assistance, ECMC Solutions repayment education is available to help you avoid the consequences of default.

If you are having trouble making your payments, contact your loan servicer(s). If you need assistance, contact ECMC Solutions. We may be able to help you avoid the consequences of default.