Borrow Smart
When borrowing keep in mind the following:
| Only borrow what you NEED (Remember loans are easy to accept but they have to be repaid) |
| Choose subsidized loans first (U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan while enrolled and eligible or in grace period) |
| Rates can change over time |
| Stay on top of payments (Late payments affect your credit score) |
| You only get one grace period (If you graduate, leave school, or drop below 6 hours your grace period begins and you are not responsible for payments during this time) |
| Students do have the option to reduce the loan amount. If a student receives other types of financial aid (grants, scholarships, etc.) in addition to Stafford Loans, he/she may not qualify for the maximum amounts. |
Loan Repayment
You need to be prepared to repay your student loans when you have completed your degree, or are no longer enrolled at least half time in an accredited program. Use the information below to make informed decisions on managing your loan payments and maintain good financial and legal standing.
Student Connections is a company that assists Lone Star College students with navigating the loan repayment process and helps to address any issues you may encounter. Student Connections may reach out to you by phone or email. You can talk to a borrower advocate at Student Connections by calling (866)311-9450.
- Borrower rights & responsibilities
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You have certain rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Your rights:
- Have a grace period.
- Prepay your loan without penalty.
- Request a copy of your master promissory note.
- Request documentation that your loan is paid in full.
- Choose repayment plan. Be informed of your repayment date.
- Be informed of and provide consent of any changes in the terms of your loan.
Your Responsibilities:
- Complete exit counseling.
- Repay your loan.
- Notify timely monthly payments.
- Notify your lender of your eligibility of a deferment or cancelation of loan and/or payments.
- You use proceeds of loans for education-related purposes.
- Make a payment even if you do not receive a payment statement.
- Exit Counseling
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If you receive a loan while attending Lone Star College, you must complete exit counseling when you leave, drop below half-time enrollment (6 credits), or graduate.
This counseling will assist you with understanding your rights and responsibilities that apply to your loan.
Information Covered
- Loan repayment plan
- Repayment options
- Deferment and forbearance options
- Cancelation options
- Loan consolidation
- Loan rehabilitation
- Debt management
- Prepayment
- Consequences of default on loan and service obligation
- When loan payments begin
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Your loan enters a grace period after you leave Lone Star College, drop below a half-time enrollment (6 credits), or graduate. This one-time grace period lasts six months, and you must begin repaying your loan immediately when your grace period ends.
Your loan services will notify you with information about repayment. You can select a repayment plan. Generally, you have 10 to 25 years to repay your loan.
- Trouble making payments
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Contact your loan services immediately if you encounter problems making a payment. They can explore your options, which include:
- Deferment
- Forbearance
- Restructured Payment Plan
If you monthly payment does not arrive by the due date, your loan is considered delinquent. In this case, you may face additional late fees and have your delinquency reported to various national credit bureaus..
- Loan default consequences & recovery
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Failure to maintain monthly payments on schedule can result in serious financial and legal consequences. A loan is considered in default when you fail to make a payment for 270 days.
Once the loan is in default, the entire balance becomes immediately due - principle, interest, and collection fees.
Default loans are not eligible for deferment or forbearance.
- Loan forgiveness, cancelation & discharge
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Every entity involved in your loan - your school, the financial institution that holds your loan, your loan guarantor, and the federal government - all can take action to recover the money you owe.
Typical actions include:
- The U.S. Department of Education requires you to repay immediately the entire unpaid amount of your loan.
- The Department of Education sues you, takes all or part of your federal and state tax refunds and other federal or state payments, and/or garnishes your wages so your employer is required to send part of your salary to pay off your loan.
- The Department of Education requires you to pay reasonable collection fees and costs, plus court costs and attorney fees.
- You are denied a professional license.
- You lose eligibility for other federal student aid and assistance under most federal benefit programs.
- You lose eligibility for loan deferments.
- The Department of Education reports your default to national credit rating bureaus.
Remove loan default
You have three options to remove the default status:
| Pay the loan in full |
Rehabilitation |
Consolidation |
| This is the fastest way to resolve your defaulted loan status. |
Make nine voluntary, consecutive monthly payments on time. During rehabilitation, you can regain eligibility for financial aid after making six voluntary, consecutive monthly payments on time. |
Combine all your federal education loans into a single account and get an extension on the repayment periods, allowing for lower monthly payments. This may make if easier for you to repay your loans. However, you will pay more interest if you extend your repayment period through consolidation since you will be making payments for a longer period. Consolidating is an option as long as the loans are currently in a grace period or repayment status. |
