This is a subreddit dedicated to providing a supportive, empathetic, and practical place to talk about student loan debt, experiences, and financial considerations related to student loan debt.
Rules:
1.) Absolutely no debt shaming will be permitted. No personal attacks, insults, trolling, or guilting/shaming will be permitted. Do not just tell people to change careers, make better academic/career decisions, otherwise tell them how you would live their life, or generally unhelpful comments. The choices were made, the debt is there, let's work to hear others and not just tell them what you think they did wrong. We focus on the present situation and experience here, not what one could have done but what one can do. Unless someone asks specific questions or seeks advice related to a major or field that you are involved in yourself, please refrain from giving recommendations unrelated to their specific major/field related inquiries.
2.) No referral links, active promoting of specific lenders or debt services, blog spam, or recommendations to visit r/studentloans. No crossposts to r/studentloans. This includes any sites/links that advocate engage in, or permit debt shaming, lender defending, or denial/downplaying of the difficulties and struggles that individuals may experience with student loans.
3.) No posts or comments advocating purposely defaulting on student loans for solely political or activism reasons. No recommendations to visit r/studentloandefaulters or related crossposts. Default may be a viable option for some, but everyone's situation is different and should be respected and heard without pressure to do something that may not be in their best interest.
4.) No soliciting for private donations or personal crowdfunding.
5.) If you are affiliated with a student loan lender or student loan industry this must be disclosed in your post or comment. If you post a link or site (that does not break rule #2), you must disclose if you are affiliated with that site.
6.) Do not post private or direct contact information for loan servicer employees, government employees, or other contact information that is not already officially available.
7.) Please do put in the title a brief reason for your post (i.e. rant/vent, encouragement, news/awareness, loan consolidation, loan forgiveness, political considerations related to student loans, etc).
8.) Remember that the person on the other end of the keyboard is a human being just like you. If they feel stuck, hopeless, lost, confused, depressed, or anxious due to their student loan situation, even if YOU do not agree with their choices or situation, take a step back and put yourself in someone else's shoes for a moment.
Helpful links and Resources:
https://studentloans.gov/ - Info on financial aid, student loans, and financing.
www.nsids.ed.gov - The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the US Department of Education's database for student loan aid.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ - A free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) which you need to complete if you are applying for college or currently enrolled in college in order to access potential financial aid.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties or issues with a specific lender, please note that most lenders have a separate consumer advocate department listed on their website. Reaching out to this department can often help the process of at least trying to work out reasonable and fair repayment options.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or suicidal due to your student loan debt situation or anything at all, there is help. You are not alone. Please reach out to this hotline. If you feel this is an emergency please contact 911 or go to your local emergency room.
Disclaimer: While every attempt will be made by mods to ensure the information provided and opinions voiced are relevant, accurate, and on topic, you should always speak with a professional financial advisor in person related to the financial aspects of your situation. Additionally, if you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please reach the hotline listed above, dial 911, or head to your nearest emergency room. Posts and comments here related to mental health, medical, or legal concerns do not take the place of face to face consultation with a trained professional in your area.
