Having trouble keeping up with your student loan payments? Lower payments or no payments at all may be a phone call away. Read this press release from the U.S. Department of Education to find out how you may qualify for the new program.

U.S. Department of Education

For Immediate Release

July 1, 2009

Starting July 1, a new repayment option became available that makes monthly payments more affordable for Americans with heavy federal student loan burdens. The new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan protects borrowers by linking payments to income and family size. A related new program offers additional benefits to those working in public service jobs.

“We know many graduates are concerned about their ability to repay student loans in the current economic environment,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “This new plan addresses the issue head on by giving them the option of a monthly payment tied to their income.”

The new IBR program is available to borrowers repaying new and existing federal student loans (Direct or Federal Family Education Loans). Those with high student loan debt relative to their income are likely to be eligible for the IBR program, resulting in reduced monthly payments and, in some cases, no monthly payments.

For example, someone with student loan debt of $25,000 at 6.8 percent interest would have a monthly payment of $288 under the standard 10-year repayment plan. If the borrower were single with no dependents and had an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $30,000, the monthly payment would drop to $172 per month, a reduction of $116 per month, or 40 percent under the IBR Program.

Payments are recalculated each year. The lower payments may result in longer repayment periods and increased interest charges. While individual lenders determine eligibility, borrowers can use a new IBR calculator to estimate monthly payments and eligibility. To apply for IBR, borrowers should contact their lender.

Borrowers who work in public service may be eligible to receive an additional benefit while using IBR: after 10 years, any remaining loan balance may be canceled. This Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available only in the Direct Loan Program to borrowers making payments while working full-time in schools, government or many nonprofit organizations. (Borrowers with Federal Family Education Loans can consolidate their loans into the Direct Loan Program in order to tap into this benefit.)

More detailed information about IBR and other repayment plans is available from the Department of Education at 1-800-4-FED-AID or www.studentaid.ed.gov. Click here for related video clips from Secretary Arne Duncan.