How do I find out information about my student loans?

Federal Student Loans

The definitive source for information on your federal student loans is the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website. Your student loan servicer, to whom you send your regular payments, should also have important information about your loan. You can find out who your federal student loan servicer is by logging into your Federal Student Aid account.

Private Student Loans

Unlike federal student loans, there is not a single website that contains information about all your private student loans. The lender or servicer for each of your loans should provide you with information on how, when, and to whom to pay. This can come in the form of a monthly email, or a billing statement sent to you by mail each month. Some lenders provide a “welcome kit” or phone call when a borrower enters repayment.

To find information on your private student loans, contact each of your private student loan servicers to determine your total loan balance. The current noteholder, if different from the servicer you send regular payments to, should also have information specific to your loan. The noteholder is the entity who owns your loan. For private loans, that would be the direct lender.

If you don’t know who your private student loan servicers are, it should be listed on your original loan paperwork, such as a promissory note or disbursement notice.

You may also be able to find the name of the lender or servicer by checking your credit report. Private student lenders may report your loans to the credit reporting companies even while you’re still in school or in deferment. Your school’s financial aid office may also be able to assist you.

Here are some tips for taking control of your student loans.