You can know if you are in default on your student loans by checking a few key indicators:
- Missed Payments and Timeline : For federal student loans, you are generally considered in default if you have not made payments for 270 days (about nine months). For private student loans, default usually occurs after missing three monthly payments or 90 days total, but this can vary by lender
- Notifications from Your Loan Servicer : Your loan servicer will typically notify you if your loan becomes delinquent or enters default. This can be through mail, phone calls, or emails informing you of missed payments and the status of your loan
- Credit Report : Once your loan is in default, it will be reported to credit bureaus and appear as a negative item on your credit report. You can check your credit report for free weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com to see if your loans are listed as in default
- Federal Student Aid Website : If you have federal student loans, you can log into your account on StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID to view the status of your loans, including whether any are past due, delinquent, or in default
- Debt Collection Contact : Being contacted by debt collectors is a strong sign your loans may be in default, especially if you have missed payments for an extended period and have not made arrangements with your lender
In summary, you are likely in default if you have missed payments beyond the specific time frames (270 days for federal loans, about 90 days for private loans), have received official notices from your loan servicer, see default status on your credit report, or find your loan listed as in default on StudentAid.gov. If you suspect default, checking these sources will confirm your status and help you take steps to address it
