Student Loan Repayment
Johns Hopkins partners with Student Connections to support you as you begin to pay off your student loans.
Talk to a Student Connections Borrower Advocate for free at (866) 311-9450.Income Driven Repayment Plans Update (March 2025)
On February 18, 2025, a federal court issued a new injunction preventing the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and parts of other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. As a result, the IDR and online loan consolidation applications were temporarily unavailable.
As of March 26, 2025, the online income-driven repayment plan application is again available on the Federal Student Aid website.
Eligible borrowers can now apply for the Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plans.
The online loan consolidation application is also available again.
To Begin Repayment
- Get access to your student loan data on StudentAid.gov and your federal loan servicer’s website.
- Use your loan servicer’s website to answer some basic questions about how much you owe, your payment amount, and your due date.
- Keep yourself in the loop about ongoing efforts to supply debt relief and support to student loan borrowers.
- Prepare to start making payments.
Worried about Affording Your Monthly Payments?
Don’t panic. You’re not alone. The good news is there are many repayment options for borrowers facing financial hardship. Depending on your income, monthly payments can be reduced to zero dollars.
The Borrower Advocates at Student Connections can help answer any questions you have and determine what steps you need to take. This service is completely free to you!
How Student Connections Can Help
Student Connections partners with schools to provide support for borrowers throughout the student loan repayment process. With more than 60 years of experience in counseling student loan borrowers, their primary goal is to help you find the repayment plan that best fits your needs.
While you are in student loan repayment, Student Connections may contact you through emails, text messages and phone calls to:
- Help you understand your loan obligations and responsibilities.
- Discuss available options for an affordable repayment plan.
- Ensure you are aware of repayment options during financial hardships.
- Promote your long-term repayment success.
Talk to a Borrower Advocate for free at (866) 311-9450. They’re available to answer questions about your outstanding loans and will work directly with you and your loan servicer when appropriate.
Avoid Student Loan Debt Relief Scams
Federal Student Aid (FSA) continues to warn borrowers about student loan scams. With so many recent efforts to create new programs that provide debt relief, even savvy borrowers might find it hard to tell the difference between a scam and legitimate forgiveness and relief efforts.
Beware of any source that is not directing you to FSA or your loan servicer.