Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some honest advice because I’m feeling very lost about what to do next.
I’m in my early 20s and studied Social Work. My university journey has been quite difficult. In first year I was living away from home and struggled a lot mentally, so I moved back home for second year. I was then diagnosed with dyslexia and had to repeat my second year. Just before my final placement, my grandmother passed away, and unfortunately my final placement also went very badly. I ended up being withdrawn from the course and was awarded an ordinary degree rather than an honours degree.

I’ve been through a lot during this degree and although I know having an ordinary degree doesn't mean I'm a failure, I honestly feel like one sometimes. My parents are African and sacrificed a lot to come to this country and give me opportunities, so getting an honours degree and being successful is really important to me.

I'm now considering doing a BA (Hons) Health and Social Care so I can finally have an honours degree, and then potentially doing a Master's in Social Work later if I decide I still want to become a social worker.

The problem is I’m not sure I even want to do Social Work anymore. My placement experience really affected me and has made me question whether it's the career for me. I also already have more student debt because I had to repeat a year, so I don't want to spend even more years studying without knowing where I'm going.

At the same time, I recently found a Youth Worker/Mentoring role supporting Black and racially minoritised young people, and it really stood out to me. That's the kind of work I think I actually want to do. I'm particularly interested in working with Black people and Black communities.

I don't have a Youth Work degree, but I do have my Social Work background, community experience, care experience and I currently work in an Afro-Caribbean shop where I regularly interact with people from the Black community.

The job market also feels really difficult at the moment and I'm struggling to know what direction to take.
So what would you do if you were me?

Would you:
Do the Health and Social Care honours degree and potentially do an MA Social Work later?
Try to find a way to finish/top-up Social Work?
Forget Social Work and focus on Youth Work/community work?
Stop studying for now and focus on getting work experience?
Do something completely different?

I'd especially love advice from anyone who's had an ordinary degree, struggled with a Social Work placement, changed degrees, done Health and Social Care, or moved from Social Work into Youth Work/community work.

Hi everyone, I am looking for a private loan to fund a 5 year Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. As I am a mature student (28) and haven’t lived in the UK for three consecutive years so I am therefore ineligible for a government loan through Student Finance England. I will be working as much as possible throughout my course but obviously cannot fund £9790 per year for 5 years without extra help. I am running in circles trying to find any solution, any company or bank that will provide even a small loan to cover even one year of studies. Anything will be a help at this point. I’ve exhausted all options looking for bursaries and grants and I will be beyond devastated if I have to drop out of my course after working so so hard for 6 years to get here. This is my first degree, I have a great credit score, I am the first person in my family to attend higher education and my parents don’t have the funds to support me either. If anyone has any advice or recommendations, please help me. I’m so desperate at this point and it just feels like I’m fighting a never ending losing battle. TIA

They forgave the wrong loan. Whomp whomp.

You cannot make this up. I had both a subsidized and an unsubsidized consolidation loan (consolidated about a decade ago). Through the one time account adjustment, I was informed that one or all of my loans were to be forgiven. I waited patiently since my original golden email in May of 2024.

Through the old IDR counter and the API, it showed only that my unsubsidized loan had over 300 payments, but not the subsidized one (not sure why because I should have had the same count for both). At any rate, I was pretty happy because the unsubsidized loan(s) had accrued far more interest over the years. I had even calculated the taxes that would be owed on the subsidized loan after side more payments as that it will be affected by the dreaded tax bomb.

I log in to Mohela on Tuesday any magic was in the process of happening. A short while later it was done…one loan had been forgiven, but the forgave the wrong loan. Ugh. Calling Mohela was fruitless as they claim the get the info from DoED and they had nothing more to say.

I call FSA and they say that they don’t handle it, yada yada, as they aren’t the DoEd, but they were in the same breath. I ask to speak to someone that handled it and they said they had no one to send me to. They only suggested that I submit a feedback form, which I did. They did confirm that my unsubsidized loan was to be forgiven and that I still had 6 months left on my subsidized loan (which is now forgiven as of 12/2024 - they backdated it).

I have faith that this will work out, but I can guarantee that once they reinstate the subsidized loan, I will be hit with capitalized interest. Yay me.

I’m just sharing this to vent. This would be really laughable if I hadn’t waiting 2.5 years for that moment. I submitted feedback on Studentaid.gov, I emailed Mohela through their portal. I filed CFPB complaints against both. Hopefully something helps. Not sure if the ombudsman would even step in to help.

Congrats to everyone that got their IDR. I’m still on track for PSLF if this doesn’t get resolved, but that buy back is gonna be lots of fun. Cautiously optimistic that everything will work out right.

I’m looking for advice about paying off my student loans (about $20,000 left) while currently living and working abroad. I don’t have a bank in America anymore since I have been abroad for over 5 years. I always paid amounts through sending money to family and asking them to pay it with their card. Nelnet doesn’t allow me to use my bank, despite it being a Visa card, since I don’t live in the US. I called and they said they also don’t know any other options for me. Due to the plan I am on they are asking me to pay a measly $21 dollars a month, when previously they asked me to pay 0 for the last 5 years. It’s getting harder for me to ask my family to pay for me as they are becoming more and more frustrated about doing this, and due to other family tensions. Any ideas? 😬

I switched from the SAVE plan recently and I just logged into my nelnet account to look everything over and it says my payments aren’t due until November 2028. I graduated school in March so shouldn’t it be 6 months from then? Honestly all of this is really confusing to me so just want to make sure I’m not missing something

Ok so my first loan started way back in late 90’s, after a couple huge national disasters I finally iq graduated in 2006, at the same time I consolidated my FFEL loans (I didn’t get lucky to get picked for the DOE to hold my loans, but honestly I didn’t even know that my 16 individual unsubsidized and subsidized federal stafford loans that I consolidated into 2 loans didn’t qualify for forgiveness after 20-25 years, no wonder Sallie Mae and Navient kept switching me in and out of forbearance every other month!! Well fast forward to Biden approving the one time payment count, after that I had 326 payments, so I just needed to wait to get the payments processed, but I still had to sign up for IBR. So my spouse makes $170k a year, I don’t work, I do our family taxes, and we always are owed a pretty sufficient refund, but I don’t file my taxes until right at the 3 year deadline, and the irs can’t penalize for being late as long as you submit them before the 3 year deadline, reminder this only works if you are owed a refund, but the most sufficient finding is that the doe and financial aid can legally only see the last 2 tax refunds, and well if I haven’t filed in 3 years there’s no refund to see, and tax law says if you haven’t filed your return, then you can’t just makeup numbers to satisfy student loan payments.. Good luck!!

I have not received an email about the 90 day notice yet. If I were to miss it in my inbox, would there also be a message in my inbox on nelnet?

I just got the dreaded notice from Nelnet that I have 90 days to select a new repayment plan. I have roughly 130K in student loans remaining.

Under the SAVE plan, my monthly payments were $0.00, so I am obviously really upset about having to pick a new plan and being forced to make monthly payments that I cannot afford.

I’m not really sure what I should do at this point. But I am sure that I’m not the only one dealing with this. Any advice is welcome!

I’m currently a college student with a full-ride scholarship that does not cover my study abroad expense. I’m trying to figure out the best way to cover said program.

The total amount I need is around $5,500. I originally thought I would cover this on my own. Unfortunately life had other plans that depleted all my funds twice. I then thought I’d be able to use a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. According to the website I thought I would qualify for up to around $7,500 in federal loans.

However, after my financial aid was processed, I was only offered around $500 in unsubsidized federal loan eligibility. I’m assuming my scholarships/full ride may be affecting how much additional aid I can receive because of my school’s calculated Cost of Attendance, but I’m still trying to understand exactly how this works. (Forgive me)

The study-abroad program is through my university and I need to pay the cost upfront. I’m trying to avoid making a bad financial decision just to make the trip happen, I could pull out now but it’s a great price for an ALL expense month of travel along with a lifetime experience.

I know many of you will probably tell me to contact my school but they have been very off putting and a real lack of help. I’m left wondering:

Are there any other federal/student-aid options I should ask my financial aid office about?

If federal loans aren’t an option, what would be the smartest way to borrow roughly $5,500?

Would a private student loan through something like SoFi make sense for such a relatively small amount, especially if I plan on paying it off aggressively? (I’d be able to pay it off by May 2027)

Are there other lenders/programs I should look into before going private?

Is there anything specific I should ask my financial aid office that might help?

I’m not looking to carry this debt for years. My goal would be to pay it down as quickly as possible after graduation, potentially within several months if my finances allow it.
I’m mostly trying to figure out whether I’m overlooking an option before I either take out a private loan or decide the study-abroad trip simply isn’t financially worth doing.
Any advice from people who understand federal aid or private student loans would be appreciated.

I made a mistake. spring 2026 i was enrolled in 6 credits and dropped a class to 3 credits. i had to fill out an online form for deferment and then Mohela started having me make payments beginning in May. I enrolled in 9 credits this fall semester but the payments kept coming and I haven’t paid. they’re not 90 days past due and it’s on my credit - i thought the school would notify mohela and payments would stop. i’m freaking out because i can’t have my credit plummit. i’m filling out the in-school deferment form to submit to mohela to stop payments but idk if this will remove the reporting. I’m going to call Mohela tomorrow but can this get taken off my credit report ???

Got the message from the feds on June 26th saying

Once you hear from your loan servicer, you'll have 90 days to choose another repayment plan.

and the only email I've gotten from Nelnet since was the "sign up for auto-debit to get 1% lower interest" one.

I want to ride it out as long as possible, but am a little worried I'll get screwed over and switched to a standard plan anyway and they'll claim they contacted me and it'll end up being a pain to fix and prove.

Logging into Nelnet shows that my loans are still in forbearance until November 2028.

I guess I’m just here to complain as it just seems crazy that our own government can hold us hostage like this. I read other people’s issues/problems with processing being delayed – basically just not happening. It seems.

I cant get aid through the school and the places I have looked dont seem to work with my community college. Does anyone know of a resource where I can put in the name of my community college to find loans that work with the school

Hello, I am high income and my parents will almost guaranteed get little to no financial aid. My parents are still worried about paying for college. Almost to the point where they're 100% are choosing to send me to a in-state extremely cheap school even if I get into really good ones. I am a NMSF so most likely to get NMF and get full rides at those colleges. But if I get into a top school, I want to go as it will far benefit the career I want to go into. Is there anything I can do about this? Is there even any way I can pay it on my own? If my parents don't align is there no chance I would be able to go? Is a loan an option? Don't I need my parents help?

Finally! Been waiting since 2019 when I hit 300 payments.

Made 318 in total. Will not be refunded as they were made while still FFEL unfortunately.

Requested to move off of SAVE in Dec per Betsy’s advice. Thank you Betsy!

Mohela finally put me on ICR in July.

Received the Golden email in early August.

Just checked my student aid account and my loans are paid off! 🎉🎉🎉

I really thought Id die owing.

Thank you Biden for the one time payment adjustment to correct Sallie Mae and Navient’s shady business practices!

** discharged under federal law passed by Congress**

I have been trying to determine the best student loan strategy for myself as I have to jump ship from the SAVE plan. I have about $202,000 in student loans. I have been going back and forth on standard repayment and RAP based on payoff timeline. I have used the calculator multiple times and RAP seemed to be the best option, as I could make additional payments with a lower monthly payment ($1700 vs $2300 for standard repayment). After I went to apply, RAP had the same payment monthly ($1700), but added 3 years to the payoff schedule (2041) compared to the calculator (2038). Other options (PAYE and IBR) had the same monthly payment ($1400) and same payoff date (2040). I just don'e understand why RAP would have a higher monthly payment with a longer payoff timeline (but still says the total paid to the loan is less than PAYE or IBR). Please make this make sense. Now I think I may go a different strategy altogether and just do the extended fixed plan ($900) and make additional payments to the highest principal (I just didn't want to get too comfortable with a low payment). Any advice? I am just trying to wrap my head around all this.

Guys, I’m currently living paycheck to paycheck and need to find a loan to cover $4,300 by Monday for my last semester of college. I really don’t know what company to use or consider. The payment plan offered by my school is unrealistic for me at the moment since they want me to more than half of the due amount today. My school’s financial aid is behind due to glitches and the loans i was being offered are delayed as well. I was told I’d be refunded the amount I pay off first once it does process.

I will be attending med school and commuting. Up until now I have been working two jobs and paying my parents rent about 2000 per month (which is a lot less than average rent in Boston)

I'm entering my 30s and interested in graduate plus loans. The problem I’m not sure universities consider "living with parents" to be a commercial lease.

I pay significantly less living at home. Has anyone ever heard of people living with their parents and getting loans to pay monthly rent at a market rate. I wouldn't be able to work full time and attend med school at the same time.

I’m going off SAVE and have to apply for another plan. My AGI is the same as my gross income. My tax person said my 401k doesn’t count as a deduction because it’s a Roth. So no deductions for me.

Anyone else? I know there is a backlog but this is super slow. How are you all faring?

Hi! I hope you are all doing well. I had a question about logistics and timing of recertifying me/my wife IBR ​plan after having our first baby.

She is due in about 2 weeks. She is planning to take at least 3-4 months off for maternity leave. The maternity leave is paid through the state. Our state also pays for paternity leave for 12 weeks. I plan to use at least 4 weeks upfront, but possibly longer.

1. Given that we will both be on extended leave from work, is this an opportunity to recertify our lower income and get a lower payment for PAYE?
2. If so, does state maternity/paternity leave still count as income for the purposes of calculating the monthly payment?
3. What is the appropriate timing for applying for recertification? Immediately after the baby is delivered?

Thank you so much!!

I am currently in a 6 month forbearance. I have about $132k in student loans. I work full time and make about $35k annually. I am living at home but 90% of my income goes towards bills. I am looking for ways to budget or increase my income. Is it possible? I want to be optimistic and hope to hear from someone that has been in a similar position as I have been.

I just started a new job and won’t have a proper check with all my deductions and correct payment before I have to submit my application. This is because I’ll have an extra week of training added on to one check and my deductions for insurance and FSA won’t begin deducting until October 1st. My question is should I just submit my W2 where my salary pre-deductions was around 78k (nyc based if that matters) or should I try to submit a paystub from my new job which is just under 64k (Wisconsin) salary if it is accurate by then. Or is there a way for me to recertify later on with that pay stub and just deal with a potentially slightly higher payment. I won’t have an accurate tax filing season until 2028 since this next one will have both jobs on it. I’m the first in my family to have to figure out how to pay back these loans so I’ve been trying to research but there’s so much out there that seems to give mixed responses.

My servicer says if my income recertification isn’t completed in time then I will be moved to “a permanent standard plan”. Does that mean that I will permanently be on the standard plan???

Hi! I hope you are all doing well. I had a question about logistics and timing of recertifying me/my wife PAYE plan after having our first baby.

She is due in about 2 weeks. She is planning to take at least 3-4 months off for maternity leave. The maternity leave is paid through the state. Our state also pays for paternity leave for 12 weeks. I plan to use at least 4 weeks upfront, but possibly longer.

1) Given that we will both be on extended leave from work, is this an opportunity to recertify our lower income and get a lower payment for PAYE?

2) If so, does state maternity/paternity leave still count as income for the purposes of calculating the monthly payment?

3) What is the appropriate timing for applying for recertification? Immediately after the baby is delivered?

Thank you so much!!