The Consequences Of Defaulted Student Loans
When you finish college, or drop below a certain number of hours, the countdown starts toward the day when you must repay your loans. If you fail to make your payments when they are due, you end up with defaulted student loans. Defaulting on your loans will have serious consequences on your future financial status if you do not deal with the situation immediately.
When You Don't Pay, You Lose
If you have defaulted student loans, you financial future could be in serious jeopardy. By not repaying on time, you have shown your student loan lender that you are not credit worthy, and may have already been reported to one or more credit reporting agencies. If you have been reported to these agencies for defaulted student loans, you may not be able to purchase a home; buy a car; and in some cases, get a job or even rent an apartment.
It is important to have good credit these days, as virtually everyone checks your credit report these days. Defaulted student loans not only tell future landlords and employers that you may not be trustworthy, but can also end up with you having to go to court and incur heavy fines for loans which you will, eventually, have to pay back anyway.
Even if you are young, and your defaulted student loans are the only thing on your credit record, you may still find that a negative report from the owner of the loans will affect all areas of your life. Even more so if you have had more years to establish a credit rating that may have other negative marks on it.
Ways To Avoid Defaulted Student Loans
Obviously, the easiest way to avoid defaulting on your loans is to make your payments on time, every time. However, there are certain circumstances when this is absolutely not possible, and there are options available for most students so that they can avoid defaulted student loans.
Most states offer a repayment program for students that is substantially lower than that of any other type of loan, i.e. home loans, auto loans, personal loans. But the one program that many students do not know about, is the student loan deferral program. This program allows for an extension of your payment grace period in the even of financial hardships, or any situation that is out of your control.
If you think you may be in danger of defaulted student loans, it is important to contact your lender, or your state board of education, to find out what deferment options may be available. To avoid financial difficulties in the future be sure that you do not have any defaulted student loans, or they could haunt you for ever.
