Tips for Graduates: Pay Off Student Loans

Many recent graduates often begin paying down their student loans in November. America Saves and Sallie Mae offer tips and advice for graduates on how to best pay off their student loans.

 
America Saves and Sallie Mae offer the following tips as we begin the month of November. The six-month transition period that most new college graduates are given before they are required to begin paying down their student loans comes to an end in November and Class of 2012 graduates with student loans will shortly begin to make their first payments.
 
“This November, many new college graduates will need to factor student loans into their spending and saving plans,” said Nancy Register, director, America Saves. “This may be the first time many students have had to create a budget and savings plan to ensure they can meet both their financial responsibilities and save for their future.”
 
“By following a few simple guidelines, graduates can take control of their finances and make student loan repayment manageable,” said Martha Holler, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “Proactively planning and working with your loan servicer now will make for a successful transition to repayment.”
 
As graduates begin their careers in a challenging economic environment, America Saves and Sallie Mae are pleased to offer the following student loan repayment tips to help graduates successfully pay down their debt:
 
1. Know how much you owe each month.Keep track of what you spend for one month and create a budget that includes your student loan payment. You may find that you will need to cut out unnecessary items in order to pay down your debt or that you can pay a little extra each month to pay down your debt even faster. Contact your student loan servicer or visit their website to calculate different payment scenarios that best fit your budget and personal situation. Proactively planning payments helps save you time and money.

2. Make payments automatic. Signing up for automatic debit is an easy option that electronically deducts payments from your checking or savings accounts, saving you time, stamps and, most importantly, providing you with peace of mind that you have made your loan repayment on time. Bonus: many servicers may even provide you with a lower interest rate just for signing up.
 
3. Make payments each and every month. Resist the option of putting off your payments, as deferment or forbearance typically mean you’ll pay more over the life of the loan. It’s empowering to tackle your payments now.
 
4. If you do fall behind, get help. Call your loan servicer to discuss your options – or if they are calling you, answer the phone. A different payment plan or a temporary postponement of payments may give you the extra time you need. If you need help organizing your finances, a licensed nonprofit consumer credit counseling service can offer free budget counseling.
 
5. Update your servicer with any changes. If your situation changes, your student loan servicer needs to know about it. Keep your loan servicer updated with any change in mailing address, email and phone numbers. Accurate personal details will help ensure you receive all the information you need about your payment due dates, helping you stay on track no matter what the change in your situation.
 
6. Beware of scams! Some fraudulent companies might claim to offer you easy ways to erase or lower your loan payments. If you have any doubt about services being offered, get in touch with your student loan provider.
 
7. Build an emergency fund in case of unpredictable circumstances. Aim to save $500 to $1,000 to meet unexpected financial challenges like paying a parking ticket, repairing the brakes on your car or covering dental expenses. Saving even small amounts each month can add up and give you the peace of mind to know you can weather financial emergencies while continuing to pay down your student loan.