You can know if your student loans are in default by checking a few key indicators and using official resources:
What is Student Loan Default?
- For federal student loans , default typically occurs when you have not made payments for 270 days (about 9 months)
- For private student loans , default usually happens after missing 3 monthly payments or about 90 days, but this can vary by lender
How to Check if Your Loans Are in Default
- Log in to your Federal Student Aid account at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID. Your dashboard will show the repayment status of your loans, including if any are in default. It also lists your loan servicer
- Contact your loan servicer directly by phone or email to inquire about your loan status
- Review your credit report via AnnualCreditReport.com. Defaulted loans will appear as negative information on your credit report
- You may also receive official notices from your loan servicer or collection agencies if your loans are in default
Signs Your Loans May Be in Default
- You have missed payments for 9 months (federal) or 3 months (private).
- You receive calls or letters from debt collectors or your loan servicer indicating default status
- Your credit report shows a default status on your student loans
What Happens When Loans Are in Default?
- The entire loan balance may become due immediately.
- Your credit score will be negatively affected.
- The government or lenders may garnish wages, tax refunds, or Social Security benefits
To summarize, the easiest and most reliable way to know if your student loans are in default is to log into your account at studentaid.gov or contact your loan servicer. Checking your credit report can also confirm default status
