A particular time span is assigned to student loans after which it is declared as
default. During this specific time period, the loan is said to be delinquent. This time span could be 270 days to 330 days depending upon the type of loan, date of loan disbursement etc.
When the loan is delinquent try hard to keep it current and avoid default, because once it's declared default, you lose a bunch of facilities. So be attentive and remember student loans have no SOL and you have to pay it.
During delinquent period the lender tries to contact you and inform you the negative consequences of defaulting. If the loan is defaulted somehow, some federally recognized collection agencies are assigned to collect the debt and they may take up following steps to recover the debt-
- Wage garnishment – For federal student loan wage garnishment is possible without any court order. Borrower's employer is obliged to forward 10% to 15% of the wage towards the lender.
- Federal Employee Salary Offset Program – Federal employees may undergo a salary offset of up to 15%.
- Additional collection cost – The cost of collecting the debt is charged form the borrower. Basically the collection agency receives a commission on debt recovery from the federal government and this amount is charged from the borrower.
- Legal proceedings – Legal actions can be taken against the borrower any time.
- Credit report is damaged – Lender reports it to the credit bureaus and credit report starts showing the account as a default.
Once your loan is defaulted, you lose the scope of applying for forbearance, deferment and further federal grant. So always aim not to be defaulter on a student loan. Check how to
avoid student loan defaults.