Hi everyone, i'm currently on SSDI for my heart issues. My heart is currently working at a 19% level. i'm trying my best to finish college because I only have one more semester to go. But I'm now currently worried about what going to happen after I graduate, because I been feeling sicker and sicker everyday. anyway I had to take out school loans to afford school, I'm just worry about if I can't work because of my illness, what should I do about paying my school loans back in 9 months. I know that they give you a break if you are in school but do they give you a break when you're not in school, If you can't work right away.:confused
I am in that situation now. I only took out a small loan (when I was relatively healthy,pre-op)
for my last year,but after graduation I was only able to work for a couple years before I became too symptomatic. Now I am stuck with an ever increasing loan.
There are several options ..Forbearance, deferrment,economic hardship, and income contingent-each with different rules of acceptance, limits,interest rates,etc. So they will work with you,but the interest will quickly turn a 5K loan into a 20K loan. Make sure your interest is as low as you can get it.
You could even pay them a percentage of your disability,but they do not require it if your income is low. So if this is your case,I would choose Income Contingent so you are not required to make payments;but try to make payments when you can - especially on the interest.
Also if you still have a semester to go why not try for a grant..you don't need to pay those back,and you should be elligible because of being on disability. In addition,SSD doesnt consider a grant income as they do the loans you are receiving. The amount may or may not cover the whole tuition but it will help.
Good luck with school-Dina
