The nonprofit graduate loan specialist

Repayment Planning

 

When Do I Begin Repayment?

 
 
 
Starting Repayment

Repayment on most education loans begins following a grace period. The grace period begins when you graduate, leave school, or your enrollment status drops below half-time, whichever comes first. It ends when your first loan payment is due.

Repayment Schedule

Your lender and/or servicer will send a repayment schedule for each of your education loans during the grace period.

This notice will list the total amount you owe, your estimated monthly payment amount, the date your first payment is due, information about the payment plans available, and where to send payment.

Grace Periods
  • Federal Stafford Loan - 6 months
  • Federal Perkins Loan - 9 months
  • Federal Consolidation Loan - No grace period
  • Access Group Private Loans - 9 months (for loans borrowed prior to May 1, 2008)
  • Access Group CampusDoor Private Loans - 12 months after graduation or 6 months after dropping below half-time enrollment
  • Loans from other lenders - check your promissory note or disclosure statement

Note about Federal PLUS Loans: There is no grace period on Federal PLUS Loans, however, Access Group offers a 6-month forbearance to allow Graduate PLUS borrowers to align the start of repayment with repayment on Federal Stafford Loans. Borrowers must request this forbearance by contacting their servicer.

Note for Dental students with private loans: Borrowers who participate in a required residency or postdoctoral study remain in an "interim period" and do not enter repayment until 9 months after completion of such a program, not to exceed 45 months after graduation. For private loans borrowed prior to May 1, 2008.

Note for Medical students with private loans: Borrowers who participate in a required residency program remain in an "interim period" and do not enter repayment until 9 months after completion of such a program, not to exceed 57 months after graduation. For private loans borrowed prior to May 1, 2008.

Interest continues to be deferred on subsidized loans during the grace period.

 
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