Direct Loans are federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans where the lender is the federal government. These loans are serviced by third party vendors contracted by the federal government.

Understanding the repayment process for your federal student loans can go a long way toward building a solid financial foundation.

Remember, federal student loans are real loans, just like car loans or mortgages. You must repay a student loan even if your financial circumstances become difficult. Your student loans cannot be canceled because you didn't get the education or job you expected, or because you didn't complete your education (unless you couldn't complete your education because your school closed). To estimate your federal student loan payments, you may use the Loan Simulator provided by logging into your dashboard on www.studentaid.gov.

If you have any questions about your federal direct loans, contact Direct Loan borrower services at 1-800-848-0979 or visit the Federal Student Aid website.

You should also contact your loan servicer if you:

• Need help making your loan payment
• Change your name, address, or telephone number
• Have a question about your bill
• Graduate
• Drop below half-time enrollment
• Transfer to another school
• Stop going to school
• Have questions on deferment, forbearance, or loan consolidation
• Have questions on loan forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge
• Have questions on how to resolve a dispute
• Need to understand the consequences of default