I feel so lost.

Here’s what I did: call the company that manages your loans ( DirectLoans or whatever company has its logos all over your paperwork) and talk to a human being, “loan officer” or advisor. Ask about an Economic Hardship Deferment ( up to 3 yrs no payments) and an income- dependent repayment plan. In the US, Obama made a law that says loan companies cannot force you to make payments on your loans when you simply can’t afford to. If your income is low enuf, the are $0 repayment plans. You should also ask if your loans are “subsidized” or “unsubsidized”- idk exactly what that means, but depending on that, you may be eligible to not accumulate any interest during ur deferment (that’s good!) And one more thing: if your parent is claiming you as a dependent but isn’t actually contributing to your education, room, and housing, you should ask that they no longer claim you because they really give u the shaft on financial aid if your claimed as a dependent by anyone. Good luck! Hope this helps

Don’t think of it as suffering because really, it’s just the crap we have to deal with in the real world. Financial problems can seem like the most overwhelming and humiliating problems we can have…but they are a true reality for almost everyone in this country…and why bother being ashamed of a problem almost everyone has to deal with. I am sure ur parents know about financial struggles and might even know some good tricks that make the whole deal less of a struggle. If they don’t, you have the youth and resources to find tricks yourself that u can share with them in the future! Srsly: talk to a loan adviser, they are usually nice and helpful…you not paying right now makes them more money in the long run after all!