Home / Student loan payments / Questions
What happens if I don’t pay my student loans?
Short answer
Late payments can hurt your credit. Federal loans unpaid for many months can go into default, leading to wage garnishment and seized tax refunds.
See every step in 1 minuteWhen student loan payments start, and what to do now
People also ask
Do private student loans have the same options?›Can I pay during the grace period?›When do I have to start paying my student loans?›How do I find out who my student loan servicer is?›What is an income-driven repayment plan?›What is the difference between deferment and forbearance?›Should I pay a company to help with my student loans?›
Official sources
- StudentAid.gov: repaymentstudentaid.gov
- CFPB: student loansconsumerfinance.gov
- FTC consumer advice: student loan scamsconsumer.ftc.gov