Site Content
More Information
"How To" Guide is an alternative and free solution for consumers
This Is a guide to assist you in making a decision on the various ways you may find resolution with your Student Loans. This "How To" Guide is intended to provide you with clear and concise information about the various repayment methods, programs and how to best tackle your student loan problem in the most methodical and productive way possible. THIS Guide INCLUDES: how to qualify for the various loan program(s) and complete your applications and forms in a way that gives you more control over the results. In addition, how to guarantee that the loan servicer will never take collection action against you. How to complete the forms required for the various student repayment loan programs.
- Locate the U.S. Department of Educations forms for Consolidation and PSLF and TLF
- Request a Hearing to stop the Wage Garnishment
- Learn how to stop or keep the U.S. Department of Education from garnishing your wages
- Learn how to stop or keep the U.S. Department of Education from garnishing your tax refund
- Communicate better with the U.S. Department of Education and your loan servicer
- Take responsibility in order to get the job done
- Learn the requirements set forth by Congress for the various loan forgiveness programs
- Learn the requirements for Loan Disability Discharge
This Guide will NOT help you...
- Navigate the U.S. Department of Education
- Borrow Money for Student Loans
- Over ride the U.S. Department of Educations guides and forms
- Receive Legal Advice surrounding your Student Loans
- Get Tax Advice
- Provide Assistance with Private Student Loan
The Internet will provide you with more options and more confusion, than assist you in finding a solution. The Student Loan Help Guide is designed to eliminate several hours of research and sales talk to give you exactly what you need to solve your student loan problems on your own. If you desire to improve the quality of life and get the U.S. Department of Education's Loan servicers off your back, then continue reading and follow the simple guidelines on how to eliminate or resolve your student loan debt.
The moment you get lost or feel you need HELP, student loan consultants are available to you at 928.637.6342.
Is This Legal?
This guide advocates full compliance and cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education requires us to avoid student loan scams and schemes; non-compliance can result in unwanted legal prosecution. The purpose of this guide is to get you through the U.S. Department of Educations Student Loan system with the least amount of hassle while saving you time and money. All method discussed in this guide adhere to the U.S. Department of Education's guidelines.
Your Student Loan Guide
The Information in this guide does not constitute legal advice. It is a collection of information and instructions on how to navigate the complex procedural requirements imposed by the U.S. Department of Education for Student loan Borrowers. This guide is not intended to be all-inclusive with respect the U.S. Department of Education and any and all topics covered are subject to change by the U.S. Department of Education. Make sure you do your own homework. The Consultants at Merrill and Hart are in the business of providing advice and client services only after an agreement is executed with an outline of services and fees. Call us for a free consultation no obligation at 928.550.4535 or email: tia@merrillandhart.com
If You Still Need Help
Once you become familiar with this guide, if you would like to discuss what you have done with your student loan situation, please call us. We will review your plan with you over the phone.
Remember, this is not an all-inclusive site for Student Loan Borrowers. There are many definitions, terms, guidelines and rules with the U.S. Department of Education. For those of you who are interested in the various laws and guidelines for student loan borrowers you may visit the U.S. Department of Education's website for student loan borrowers. The purpose of this information is to show you our success in dealing with the U.S. Department of Education.
You can use our experience to outline the steps you will take to resolve your Student loan issues. If you need additional help you can contact us for a FREE, No obligation Consultation. However, you can retain our services for a reasonable fee.
First You Need to Know the Basics
1. The U.S. Department of Education contracts "loan servicer's" to service the loan for the lender, not the borrower. The loan servicer's personnel tend to do and say most anything to get you to do what they want. This is why most borrower's find it very difficult to accomplish much when dealing with the loan servicer.
2. The Loan Servicer is not required to keep you in compliance or to find the best repayment plan, they are required by law to service the loan for the lender.
3. The information provided on this site is based on our experience and communication both professionally and personally with the U.S. Department of Education and the various loan servicers.
The Do's for Student Loan Borrowers
1. Ask your loan servicer for a copy of your loans.
2. Apply for you student loan pin if you have not already done so.
3. Ask the loan servicer what forgiveness programs are available and what the requirement are for qualifying.
4. Keep documentation on your conversations with the loan servicer, Date, time, the name of the person you spoke with and the content of the conversation.
5. Build a positive rapport with the loan servicer, this will increase your chances that they will treat you favorably try to work with you be as accommodating as possible.
6. Find out what type(s) of loan(s) you have.
7. Learn what type of repayment plan you are in and the number of years you will be paying when it is paid off.
8. Ask what the total pay off would be if you paid it off now or through the repayment plan you are enrolled in.
9. Ask what the interest rate is.
10. Ask if there are other repayment plans available and compare them.
11. Know the pros and cons regarding consolidation
12. Know the positives and negatives regarding the various repayment programs
13. Take Responsibility
14. Accept the fact that the loan servicer or collection agency will do whatever it takes to collect a payment.
15. Learn the facts about forbearance and deferment, default and grace period.
The Don'ts for Student Loan Borrowers
1. Don't blame the loan servicer personnel for your situation. They are hired to service the loan for the lender and they are just doing their job. They are more likely to assist you if you are kind and patient.
2. Don't whine and complain they were not hired to show empathy only to collect.
3. Don't falsify your circumstance or information.
5. Do not assume the U.S. Department of Education is out to get you or complain about being unfair.
6. Do Not protest that you were waiting for someone to contact you. You will be told something like, "It is your responsibility to set up your payments, you borrowed the money".
7. Don't procrastinate, student loan debt does not just disappear.
The Student Loan Borrower Advocate
The Student Loan Borrower advocate is the group to contact when all else fails. Typically this is an independent organization or company that works for the client to assist and educate the borrower in the various programs and repayment plans that best fit their needs. Once you have reached an agent you will need to explain your situation and why you are calling. On this call, you will first need to verify if your student loans are federal or private. If your student loans are federal the agent will then ask some very important questions. Your answers will assist the agent in locating the program that will best fit your needs. In many cases it allows the agent to apply for various programs if you are eligible.
1. Are your student loans current?
2. If no, to #1 are your wages or taxes being garnished?
3. What is your name and number in case we get disconnected?
4. What is your occupation?
5. Do you work for a non-profit organization, city, state, federal or county agency?
If a Loan Servicer or Collection Agency Calls You
If you receive a phone call from a collection agency or loan servicer, do not be afraid to take the call. No response will cause them to take action if your loans are in default. The action they may take may cost you more than you want it to. Be honest and factual with the Caller, however, it is best to ask the important questions first. Remember, they are just doing their job. By asking questions your will be able to manage the conversation. You can refer to the section titled "The Do's for Student Loan Borrowers". If you begin to get frustrated while dealing with the caller, take a deep breath and tell the caller that you are going to log into your student loan account to view the various options that are available and you will call them back. Don't forget to call them back as promised.
Links for Student Loan Borrowers
The U.S. Department of Education has several sites that you can visit that will provide you with more information and more links to all the services provided by the U.S. Department of Education for student loan borrowers. Additionally, forms and instructions surrounding the various programs can be found there as well.
www.ed.gov is a site with a great deal of information regarding consolidation, loan forgiveness, loan discharge, and the requirements surrounding each program.
www.pined.gov is the site where you can apply for a student loan pin, request a duplicate pin or change your pin.
www.studentloans.gov is the site to apply for the various repayment plans, consolidate and file your documents
More Information Coming Soon...Thank you for your patience!