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It looks like repaying student loans could be getting a bit easier. Beginning this week, those with federal student loans can apply for a program that is offered by the Department of Education that reduces or caps the monthly payments based on income and also forgives any remaining balances after 25 years.

There is a calculator at http://www.ibrinfo.org to help any borrowers determine if they are eligible for the plan.

The program comes from the Cost Reduction and Access Act signed into law in 2007 from the Education Department. The Act authorized the creation of the repayment plan for Federal Family Education Loans and Direct Loan borrowers for those who borrow Stafford and PLUS loans.

So, the Act makes monthly payment amount to less than 10% of income for the 1 million people that are expected to enroll in the program. Payments wouldn’t exceed 15% of any income above $16K a year. Those who earn less than $16K would not have to make monthly payments.

This is a great program for those graduating colleges now simply because it has become harder and harder for new graduates to afford their loans after the deferment period for their loans. As of right now, no matter what, the new graduate has to begin paying back their loans after the deferment period, even if they haven’t had any luck finding a job. So this Act will help those.

With the unemployment rates at the highs it is now and new graduates graduating college with more debt than ever this could really help some people out. If I am unable to find a job, I know that it will definitely help me out.

After I finish this post up, I’m headed over to that website listed above to check my eligibility. I only have one private loan for less than $1,500 and the rest of my loans were Federal Stafford loans (mainly subsidized).

Jeremy

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