Free Repayment Guide » In School » Plan for the Grace Period and Your First Payment » Prepare for and Attend the Exit Interview

Prepare for and Attend the Exit Interview

With few exceptions, borrowers with federal student loans are required to participate in an exit interview as a condition of their graduation.  Some schools hold one-on-one exit interviews, others hold group sessions, and still others refer their students to online resources.

The information covered in these interviews is dictated by Congress and includes such helpful topics as:

• Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
• Your repayment options
• Your deferment and forbearance options, should you need help when you enter repayment

Your exit interview will be more beneficial if you have done a little advance planning and have the following information handy:

• A listing of all your loans (remember federal loan information is available through the NSLDS)
• Copies of your financial aid award letters
• Copies of any disclosure notices from your lender(s)
• Copies of your promissory note(s) for your loans

Special Tip:  Do not leave your exit interview without knowing the following:

1. When the grace periods on your loans expire, if your loans have one.
2. Your first payment due date for each loan you have.
3. Who services your student loans, including Web address and phone number.

Many seniors view the exit interview as their last best chance to speak with someone about their student loans, so make the most of your time by being prepared!

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