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Student Financial Aid

Loan Repayment and Default Prevention

Check your federal student loan information and balance at studentaid.gov. You will need to make sure your FSA ID is set up to access your account. There are multiple repayment plans available, so try the repayment calculator to decide which plan works best for your budget. You can change your repayment plan at any time by contacting your loan servicer. If you ever need help with your loan payments, reach out to your loan servicer. There are many ways they can assist you with default prevention.

Managing Loans

If you decide to borrow a student loan while you are at Clemson, you need to be aware of the repayment options, the conditions for forgiveness or cancellation and default prevention. We are available to answer any questions you have about your loans and will provide additional resources as needed.

Loan Repayment

  • Repayment Plans

    There are multiple types of federal loan repayment plans. Review your options and use the loan simulator to find the right one for you.

  • Loan Forgiveness

    Teacher Loan Forgiveness

    Available to borrowers who become full-time teachers in a low income elementary or secondary school for five consecutive years. Up to $17,500 of subsidized and unsubsidized Direct or FEEL program loans can be forgiven. Federal PLUS loans are not eligible.

    Public Service Loan Forgiveness

    Borrowers who are employed full time in certain public service jobs and have made 120 payments toward Direct loans may have the remaining balance they owe forgiven. Only payments made under certain repayment plans may be counted toward the required 120 payments. You must not be in default on the loans that are forgiven. Click here to learn more about Forgiveness, Cancellation and Discharge on the Federal Student Aid Website.

    Other loan forgiveness and cancellation information is available on studentaid.gov.

Loan Default Prevention

A student loan will go into default when you fail to make payments and your account is 270 days delinquent. Once the loan is considered in default, the entire balance (principal, interest and collection fees) is immediately due and payable. If you default, it means you failed to make payments on your student loan according to the terms of your promissory note, the binding legal document you signed at the time you took out your loan. In other words, you failed to make your loan payments as scheduled. Your school, the financial institution that made or owns your loan, your loan guarantor and the federal government can all take action to recover the money you owe. 

Nine Ways to Avoid Default 

  1. Understand your rights and responsibilities regarding your repayment obligation as well as your repayment options.
  2. Borrow for college expenses only. Borrow only the amount you need and only what you can reasonably expect to be able to repay.
  3. Keep all records regarding your loan. Make copies of all letters, canceled checks and any documents you sign.
  4. Notify your lender or servicer when you have a change of address, phone number, or name. Also notify your lender or servicer if you change schools or your enrollment status changes.
  5. Seek help as early as possible if you have any difficulty maintaining your student loan repayment arrangement.
  6. Talk to your lender or student loan guarantor if you have any questions about the specific terms of your loan.
  7. Keep credit card debt to a minimum or avoid credit card debt completely.
  8. Create and maintain a budget that is within your monthly income.
  9. Consider making nominal loan payments while in school. This will reduce the amount you owe after graduation.

Consequences of Default 

  • Adverse credit when the default is reported to all national credit bureaus. This may affect your ability to obtain financing for cars, houses, etc.
  • Default reported to the Internal Revenue Service can cause federal and/or state tax refunds to be withheld and applied to the loan balance.
  • Loss of other federal or state payments.
  • Garnishment of your wages.
  • Collection of necessary costs involved with collecting your debt.
  • Your loan will be assigned to a collection agency.
  • Loss of eligibility for further assistance from any Title IV program.
  • Loss of eligibility for repayment options, deferments and interest benefits as described on the Master Promissory Note.
  • Denial of professional licenses (in some states).
  • Lawsuit and the liability of court-legal expenses.