I am a couple of months behind on my citibank student loan, and I have no idea how I'm going to pay it. I used up the allotted forbearance time last year when I was in the middle of a payday loan mess. I have learned that payday loans are evil, so I don't want to go down that route again, but what can I do? My credit is messy, I'm a single mom with a $500 per month daycare expense among other regular bills...has anyone heard of private loan companies granting extra forbearance time? Any other ideas? I am worried sick about paying my bills...

btw, I'm not currently in school so deferment is out of the question. (I have to work full time to pay said daycare expense...) Talk about a catch-22...

Hi Sheena. Yes, it is a catch-22! You have to work full-time to pay for food and shelter for you and your children and then the majority of you paycheck goes to daycare so that you can work to provide their needs. I don't know if private companies allow extra time, but I doubt it. Is there some way that you can get hardship assistance? I know that some student loan providers will sort of refinance to a lower rate with a longer amount of time to pay based on hardship.

Also look into another forbearance. There are several types out there. You may have exhausted one, but you might be able to qualify for another.

Good information to have. I didn't know that you can qualify for different types of forbearances. I will keep that in mind, as I have a pretty hefty student loan that I have used forbearance on before.

Keep in mind that the OP is talking about private student loans...these types of loans do not offer numerous deferment or forebearance priveleges.

OP....have you called and talked to Citibank? Maybe you can get a payment reduction?

Are you sure she's talking about a private student loan? She mentions "private loan companies" in her post, which could refer to a private (alternative) loan, or it could mean a private (non-federal) loan company.

Sheena, if the loan you are referring to is a Federal loan issued from a private company, you most likely still have forbearance, as well as deferment, as an option. I work at a lender, and I know that we do not limit forbearance on Federal loans. As for deferment, you may qualify for an economic hardship deferment - which is typically limited to 3 years. In-school deferments are not limited as long as you are enrolled at least half-time, make satisfactory academic progress, etc., etc.

If you are referring to a Private (alternative), education loan, the suggestion above to speak with your lender about options is a good one. Most lenders will work with you - they don't want you to default.

Good luck!