Student loan payments resume this month after a three-year-plus pause due to the pandemic

You should expect a bill that lays out how much you have to pay each month at least 21 days before your due date.

Interest started accruing again in September. Find out your monthly payment on your account with your loan servicer.

You can make payments during the first 12 months after payments resume without risk of default or credit score damage.

Research if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan and use the loan-simulator tool at StudentAid.gov or TISLA.org to find a plan that fits your needs.

The calculators tell you what your monthly payment would be under each available plan, as well as your long-term costs

If you're struggling to make payments, contact your loan servicer. They may be able to offer assistance.

Don't ignore your student loans. If you don't make payments, you could default on your loans, which can damage your credit score and make it difficult to qualify for loans in the future.