Helpful web sites
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Don’t know where your loans are? This is a helpful website to get more information on your federal loans.
www.nslds.ed.gov
Money Management
The U.S government's website for financial education. www.mymoney.gov
Mint.com - Mint.com has been named the best online personal finance tool by Money Magazine, PC Magazine, and is PC World’s Editor’s Choice.
Dave Ramsey - Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert, an extremely popular national radio personality and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover. In his latest book, a follow-up of his enormously successful New York Times best-sellers Financial Peace and More Than Enough, Ramsey exemplifies his life's work of teaching others how to be financially responsible, so they can acquire enough wealth to take care of loved ones, live prosperously into old age, and give generously to others. http://www.daveramsey.com/
This site is a good resource for simple ways to save money on day-to-day living and has articles on many money management topics. www.homemoneyhelp.com
A mainstream site that breaks down the basics of money management. www.money.msn.com
Suze Orman- Suze Orman has been called "a force in the world of personal finance" and a "one-woman financial advice powerhouse" by USA Today. A two-time Emmy Award-winning television host, New York Times mega bestselling author, magazine and online columnist, writer/producer, and one of the top motivational speakers in the world today, Orman is undeniably America's most recognized expert on personal finance. http://www.suzeorman.com/
Repayments plans and calculators
This website provides useful information on types of repayment options available and loan calculators to compare monthly payments for each option.
www.finaid.org/loans/repayment.phtml
Questions on loan forgiveness
www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
Public service loan forgiveness
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a new public service loan forgiveness program. This program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service.
The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan Program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. (Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2009.)
www.finaid.org/loans/publicservice.phtml
http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/public-service-loan-forgiveness
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2009-05-18-student-loans-repayment-options_N.htm
Consequences of defaulting on a student loan
You are responsible for repaying your student loans even if you do not graduate, have trouble finding a job after graduation or just didn't like your school. Defaulting on your student loans has serious consequences.
www.finaid.org/loans/default.phtml
Information on obtaining a deferment or forbearance
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/difficulty.jsp
Information on obtaining full or partial loan cancellation or discharge
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/discharges.jsp?tab=repaying
Student loan consolidation
For more information on the benefits and affects of consolidation
www.finaid.org/loans/consolidation.phtml
Ask a tax expert
Student Guide to Federal Tax Benefits for Tuition and Fees
www.nasfaa.org/annualpubs/taxbenefitsguide
Official IRS website
www.irs.gov
Federal Student Aid Ombudsman of the Department of Education
A resource for students to resolve disputes and solve other problems with federal student loans
www.ombudsman.ed.gov
Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Franklin Pierce Law Center established the Phinney Fund, our loan repayment assistance program (LRAP), for JD graduates who take low paying public interest law jobs. Pierce Law recognizes the high debt loads that face many JD graduates and wanted to enable those graduates to still pursue their public interest law careers.
www.piercelaw.edu/loans/lrap.php
Credit report
Need a copy of your credit report?
www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
Perkins or Law Center Loans
The servicer for these loans is ACS. Please contact them at 1 (800) 826-4470 or from
www.acs-education.com
Deferments can be downloaded from this site and sent directly to:
Lynn Froleiks
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Pierce Law
2 White Street
Concord, NH 03301
Identity theft information
This is the Federal Trade Commission’s website on how consumers can avoid identity theft.
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft
How to prevent identity theft in addition to updates on recent consumer advocacy issues affecting students. http://www.privacyrights.org/
Opt out prescreen
Here is a site where you can opt out of pre-screened credit offers for five years or permanently. www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
You can also call 1 (888) 567-8688.
