College is supposed to be an exciting time, full of hope and promises for a bright future. For most students, the real world crashes in once the college ride is over. The job market is tougher than ever before, and even when students find an amazing job, they still have thousands of dollars of student loan debt hanging over their heads.
It’s not uncommon to spend 3 or 4 times as many years paying off student loan debt as you spend in college. With student loan debt spiraling out of control the last few years, we’re getting calls from clients who are younger and younger. If you’re struggling with debt and student loans, there are a few facts you should keep straight about bankruptcy options:
1. Credit card debt is manageable – but can be discharged in bankruptcy
You’ve heard the stories about aggressive debt collection calls – credit card companies are notoriously un-friendly about debt repayment. It’s best to avoid running up large amounts of debt while you’re in college, or shortly after graduation. If you follow a few simple tips, it’s easy for 20-somethings to avoid bankruptcy. If you find that your credit card debt is out of control, it can be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
2. Student loans can’t be discharged
Even though student loan debts can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, the law states that student loan debts can’t be discharged by Chapter 7 proceedings. Students are expected to pay their student loans in full. Remember – many times you can handle your student loan debt through income-adjusted repayment plans or loan deferments.
If your student loan debt is overwhelming, we can still help. If you file bankruptcy, your student loans are deferred for up to 5 years. Interest will still accrue, but those aggressive collection calls swill stop, and you’ll have time to get yourself into a better position to pay off your loans.
If your student loan debt is out of control, call us at 214-760-7777 for a free debt consultation. We’ll walk through your financial picture and let you know what all of your options are. Call us – we’re here to help!