Take Your Power Back: How To Protect Yourself During Uncertain Times
I get it - the news has been downright scary lately. During such anxiety-inducing times, here are some tangible things you can do to help protect yourself and your federal student aid data.
Download a copy of your federal student loan data file and save it somewhere safe.
Log into studentaid.gov
Hover over your name in the upper right corner
Select My Aid from the dropdown menu
Click the blue Download My Aid Data
Save it somewhere safe
Take photos of any and all forgiveness tracking information on your studentaid.gov account
It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it! Read my recent blog post about the Income-Driven Repayment Account Adjustment for ideas on what to take photos of.
Review, download, and save recent statements from your loan servicer’s website
Loan servicers are notorious for sending incorrect statements. It’s always a good idea to review each statement for accuracy and save it somewhere safe!
Watch for any email or message communication from Federal Student Aid or your loan servicer
Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) and the federal student loan servicers usually email us whenever they’ve sent a message to our online account(s) for review. Make sure you don’t miss or ignore them in case it’s something important or time-sensitive.
If you talk to your loan servicer or a representative from Federal Student Aid, take what you’re told with a grain of salt
One of the most frustrating things about navigating student loan repayment and forgiveness is dealing with Federal Student Aid and loan servicers. I could write a book of all the bad advice my clients and former students have told me they’ve received! It shouldn’t be this way, but it’s reality. You should take what you’re told with a grain of salt and protect yourself by becoming as informed and knowledgeable as possible. Or, work with a professional like me who can be your guide through this frustrating process.
