Photo: Kelly Sikkema / UnsplashKnow your loans and repayment options
- Debt and bankruptcy
Federal vs Private Student Loans: Your Rights, Protections and Key Differences
How federal and private student loans differ in repayment options, hardship protections, discharge, collection tools, cosigners and what to do if you cannot pay.
3 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Student Loan Repayment Plans: Choosing a Plan and Avoiding Delinquency and Default
How federal repayment plans work, income-driven repayment, standard versus extended plans, deferment and forbearance, how to avoid delinquency and what to do if you fall behind.
3 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Student Loan Default: Consequences and Ways Out
What happens when federal or private student loans go into default and the main options to get back on track.
5 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Cosigning a Loan: Risks You Take on and How to Protect Yourself
What cosigning means legally, how it affects your credit and finances and steps to reduce risk or get released.
3 min read
Default, garnishment and collections
- Debt and bankruptcy
Student Loan Wage Garnishment and Tax Refund Offset: How to Stop or Reduce Them
How the government collects defaulted federal student loans, notices and hearing rights, ways to stop garnishment, rehabilitation and consolidation options and protecting benefits.
4 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Wage Garnishment: Limits, Exemptions and How to Stop It
How wage garnishment works, the federal limit on how much can be taken and what you can do if your paycheck is garnished.
5 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Debt Collector Rights: What Collectors Can and Cannot Do
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits how third-party collectors may contact you. Learn your rights and how to dispute a debt.
5 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Old Debts and Time-Barred Debt: Can You Still Be Sued?
How a state time limit on debt lawsuits works, why a small payment can matter and what to do if a collector contacts you about an old debt.
5 min read
Discharge and lawsuits
- Debt and bankruptcy
Student Loan Discharge Options: Disability, School Closure, Fraud and Other Ways Loans Can Be Canceled
When federal student loans can be discharged or forgiven, including total and permanent disability, school closure, borrower defense, false certification and bankruptcy, and how to apply.
3 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Private Student Loan Lawsuit: What to Do If You Are Sued and Possible Defenses
How to respond to a lawsuit over private student loans, deadlines, common defenses such as statute of limitations and standing, cosigner issues and settlement options.
3 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Sued for Credit Card Debt? What to Do Step by Step
How to respond to a debt collection lawsuit, the deadline to answer and the defenses and options that may be available.
5 min read - Courts and claims
Default Judgments: What They Are and How to Undo One
How a default judgment happens, its consequences and how to ask a court to set it aside.
2 min read
Bankruptcy and getting help
- Debt and bankruptcy
How Bankruptcy Works: A Step-by-Step Guide From Filing to Discharge
A plain-English walkthrough of the bankruptcy process: credit counseling, filing, the automatic stay, the creditors meeting, discharge and what happens afterward.
4 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
What Debts Cannot Be Discharged in Bankruptcy? A Plain-English List
Which debts usually survive bankruptcy, including most student loans, child support, recent taxes and debts from fraud, and how some can be handled in Chapter 13.
4 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
Legal Aid for Debt, Collections and Consumer Problems: Where to Get Free Help
How to find free legal help with debt collection lawsuits, wage garnishment, repossession, bankruptcy questions and consumer scams.
4 min read - Debt and bankruptcy
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, how to find mistakes and the steps to dispute them with the bureaus and lenders.
2 min read
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I default on federal student loans?
The government can garnish wages and offset tax refunds after notice, add collection costs and report the default to credit bureaus.
How do I get out of default?
Common options are loan rehabilitation, consolidation or paying the loan in full, depending on eligibility.
Can student loans be discharged in bankruptcy?
Only if you prove undue hardship, though other discharge programs exist for disability, school closure and fraud.
Can a private student lender sue me?
Yes. Respond to any lawsuit on time and raise defenses such as the statute of limitations and proof of ownership.
Should I pay a company to lower my payments?
Generally no. Federal programs are free to apply for.