# When student loan payments start, and what to do now > Many federal student loans have a grace period of about six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time; private loans set their own rules. Find your federal loans and servicer at StudentAid.gov and update your contact information. Pick a repayment plan that fits; options have been changing, so check StudentAid.gov. Set up autopay. If you can’t pay, call your servicer before missing payments. Never pay for help with federal loans. - URL: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=student-loan-payments-start ## Step by step 1. **Out of school and wondering about student loans?** Payments start sooner than many people think. A little planning now avoids big problems later. 2. **Most federal loans give a grace period.** Many federal loans give about six months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time. Private loans set their own rules. 3. **Find your loans and your servicer.** Log in at StudentAid.gov to see your federal loans and who services them. Make sure your address, email and phone are current. 4. **Pick a repayment plan that fits.** Standard plans have fixed payments. Income-driven plans base payments on what you earn. Federal plan options have been changing, so check StudentAid.gov for what’s available now. 5. **Set up autopay.** It helps you never miss a payment, and many servicers give a small interest rate discount for it. 6. **Can’t afford it? Call before you miss payments.** Ask about income-driven plans, deferment or forbearance. Missing payments for months can lead to default, which can mean garnished wages and seized tax refunds. 7. **Never pay for help with federal loans.** Companies promising loan forgiveness for a fee are often scams. Your servicer and StudentAid.gov help for free. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Know when your grace period ends - Find loans and your servicer at StudentAid.gov - Update your contact info - Pick a repayment plan that fits - Set up autopay - Can’t pay? Call before you miss payments ## When payments start Many federal student loans have a grace period of about six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. Some loans may build interest during the grace period. Private loans set their own rules; check your loan terms. ## Find your loans Log in at StudentAid.gov to see your federal loans, balances and servicer, the company that sends bills. Keep your contact information up to date with the servicer. ## Choose a repayment plan - **Standard:** fixed payments over a set period. - **Income-driven:** payments based on your income and family size. Federal repayment plan options have been changing, so use StudentAid.gov to see what’s available to you now. ## Make it automatic Autopay helps you avoid missed payments, and many servicers offer a small interest rate discount for it. ## If you can’t pay Contact your servicer before you miss payments. Ask about income-driven plans, deferment or forbearance. Federal loans that go unpaid for months can go into default, which can lead to wage garnishment and seized tax refunds. ## Public service If you work for government or a qualifying nonprofit, ask about Public Service Loan Forgiveness. ## Avoid scams Never pay a company for help with federal loans. Your servicer and StudentAid.gov help for free. ## Common questions ### Do private student loans have the same options? No. Private lenders set their own rules, and federal income-driven plans and forgiveness don’t apply. Contact your lender if you’re struggling. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/do-private-student-loans-have-the-same-options ### Can I pay during the grace period? Yes. Paying early, even just the interest, can lower what you owe over time. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/can-i-pay-during-the-grace-period ### When do I have to start paying my student loans? Many federal loans start after a grace period of about six months once you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time. Private loans vary. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/when-do-i-have-to-start-paying-my-student-loans ### How do I find out who my student loan servicer is? Log in at StudentAid.gov to see your federal loans and servicer. For private loans, check your loan paperwork or credit report. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/how-do-i-find-out-who-my-student-loan-servicer-is ### What is an income-driven repayment plan? A federal plan that sets your monthly payment based on your income and family size. Available options have been changing; check StudentAid.gov. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/what-is-an-income-driven-repayment-plan ### What happens if I don’t pay my student loans? Late payments can hurt your credit. Federal loans unpaid for many months can go into default, leading to wage garnishment and seized tax refunds. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/what-happens-if-i-dont-pay-my-student-loans ### What is the difference between deferment and forbearance? Both pause or reduce payments for a while. Interest may or may not grow depending on the type and loan. Ask your servicer. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-deferment-and-forbearance ### Should I pay a company to help with my student loans? No. Federal student loan help is free from your servicer and StudentAid.gov. Paid “forgiveness” offers are often scams. Source page: https://explained.page/student-loan-payments-start/questions/should-i-pay-a-company-to-help-with-my-student-loans ## Official sources - [StudentAid.gov: repayment](https://studentaid.gov/) - [CFPB: student loans](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/) - [FTC consumer advice: student loan scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "studentaid.gov loan simulator" - "who is my student loan servicer" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.