Unfortunately, sometimes we just can’t keep up with our obligations. Certainly a layoff or divorce can wreak havoc with our finances and sense of well being. For many, even an unexpected repair bill or medical emergency will stretch an already thin budget to the breaking point. When we're talking about student loans, HOW we're behind can have a profound effect on the remedies available to us. That's why it's important to know the difference between delinquency and default.


Delinquency v. Default

The federal government has given student loan lenders certain special collection powers to deal with loans that are not being timely paid. The methods available to lenders depend on the type of loan and whether the borrower is merely delinquent or whether the loan has gone into a more serious state of default. If a borrower fails to pay the loan by its monthly due date, the borrower is considered to be delinquent. If the delinquency continues, and the loan becomes past due 270 days, the loan is considered to be in default.

Initial Collection Efforts

Most student loans give the borrower a 15-day grace period after the due date before any late fees are charged. During that time, the lender (or servicer) must send a delinquency letter to the borrower. The lender (or servicer) may also make telephone calls to the borrower during this time. The lender or servicer must also inform the borrower of the availability of the Department of Education Student Loan Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s Office can help borrowers resolve issues with the lender or help identify ways the borrower can resolve the delinquency or default.

If the delinquency continues and the borrower fails to make a payment, the loan is considered to be in default after 270 days. At that point, the entire balance becomes due. It is theoretically possible to avoid default status by making at least some sort of payment before the 270-day period has passed.

Extraordinary Collection Powers

Once a loan is in default, the government’s extraordinary collection powers are available to lenders and servicers. These extraordinary collection powers include the ability to:

• Seize tax refunds
• Garnish wages
• Take a portion of Social Security or certain other federal benefits
• Tack on collection fees of 25% for FFEL or Direct Loans, and up to 40% on Perkins Loans and up to 18% on consolidated or loans reinstated from default status
• Deny new student loans and grants

Ordinarily, the lenders would have to obtain a court order to accomplish many of these collection actions, but federal law allows a student loan lender, servicer or collection agency to do these things without the added layer of protection a court of law would provide a borrower.

What about the Statute of Limitations?

     Federal Loans

There is no statute of limitations for collection of federal student loans. They never expire and the lender can pursue collection until the borrower’s death.

     Private Loans

The same is not true for private student loans. The time limit for taking these kinds of actions on private loans generally depends on the statute of limitations for the state in which the borrower resides. Usually, the statute of limitations will run four to six years after the last payment or after the loan goes into default. But beware:  even after a private lender can no longer sue or garnish wages, the lender can still hound borrowers for the money.

 

If you find yourself in collection with your lender or your loan servicer, it is important that you understand that your still have rights and options, despite the lender’s extraordinary collection powers.

To read more about those options, and the standards to which the lender and servicer must adhere in its collection efforts, read MANAGING STUDENT LOANS: DEALING WITH COLLECTORS.

For lots more information on managing your student loans during difficult financial times, see our articles on the following issues:

General Issues

What Kind of Loans Do You Have?

Your Options for Managing Student Loans in a Nutshell

Glossary of Helpful Student Loan Terms

When You Can't Make Your Payments

Delinquency and Default

Deferment and Forbearance

Repayment Strategies During Tough Times

Surviving a Student Loan Default

Dealing with Student Loan Collectors

Managing Private Loans

Loan Forgiveness

Loan Forgiveness for School Status

Loan Forgiveness for Disability or Death

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Student Loans in Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Discharge

Discharging Private Loans

Using Chapter 13 Repayment Plans