{"id":286932,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/bankruptcy\/debt-relief\/consequences-of-a-student-loan-default.html"},"modified":"2025-08-05T09:22:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T14:22:24","slug":"consequences-of-a-student-loan-default","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/debt-relief\/consequences-of-a-student-loan-default.html","title":{"rendered":"Consequences of a Student Loan Default"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Consequences of a Student Loan Default<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Amy Vandervort-Clark, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Are you struggling with student loan debt? You are not alone. After mortgages, student loans are the largest consumer debt many of us carry. Higher education costs have\u00a0more than doubled<\/a>\u00a0over the last four decades while incomes have lagged, making student loan repayment more challenging.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

What happens if you can’t repay your student loans and default? This article explains what consequences you might face and explores the available options.<\/p>\n

Student Loans<\/h2>\n

Student loans are the financial aid you\u00a0received to attend a college or university. Once you’re no longer in school, you must repay these loans after a grace period. Scholarships and grants are different from loans and\u00a0do not require\u00a0repayment.\u00a0Student loan forgiveness<\/a>\u00a0is also available for certain public service, non-profit employees, and teachers.<\/p>\n

There are different types of student loans. Federal student aid may include:<\/p>\n