Whether because of personal economic hardship, a misunderstanding of their loan repayment obligations or other reasons, some education loan borrowers do have difficulty making their loan payments on time. Here are the reasons borrowers most often give for missing payments.

• I was not aware when my loan payments were to begin. Federal law requires lenders to notify federal education loan borrowers of the date of their first payment (and provide other important information, such as the lender's name and address, the repayment options and estimated loan balance) long before the first payment is due. Borrowers who have not received this notification may have moved and failed to notify their lender of their new address. Borrowers are responsible for notifying lenders of changes in their address or enrollment status. Borrowers can use a free online resource, the National Student Loan Data System.
• I was not happy with the classes I took, so I dropped out and don't believe I should have to repay my loans. Student loan borrowers who fail to complete their course of study, or are dissatisfied with the education they received, still must repay their student loans. With this in mind, prospective students should carefully check the quality of the programs offered by the school that they plan to attend.
• I fell behind in my payments and was afraid to seek help. Student loan borrowers who experience difficulty in repaying their loans should ask for help from their lender, servicer or guarantor. Several options are available to help.
• After I missed a few payments, I was embarrassed to bring attention to my situation; therefore, I didn't ask for help. Student loan default will be even more embarrassing.
• My loan was purchased, so I thought that meant it was paid off. Federal education loans sometimes are sold or assigned to parties other than the original lender. The sale of the loan does not pay off the remaining balance that the borrower owes. The borrower's repayment obligation simply transfers to the new loan holder, with the same terms and obligations. The holder of the loan is required to notify the borrower of the sale of the loan and provide the name and address of the new holder.
• I don't have a loan; that PLUS loan is my child's responsibility, not mine. Parents of undergraduates may take out PLUS loans to help pay for their child's education. Repayment of the PLUS loan remains the parent's legal obligation, even if the child and parent agree that the child will pay off the loan.
• It's a government loan; no one pays off those. Most federal education loan borrowers successfully repay their student loans. The percentage of student loan borrowers who fail to repay their student loans and end up in default has declined dramatically since 1990. In fact, of all borrowers who entered repayment in fiscal 2009, less than 9 percent had defaulted by the end of the 2009 federal fiscal year.
• I ran out of coupons and didn't get a new coupon book. Borrowers who have run out of coupons should contact their lender for a new supply and, in the meantime, continue to make their loan payments according to their normal schedule.
• What can they do to me if I don't repay my loan? Repossess my education? Actually, there are severe sanctions for student loan defaults.
• I have 10 other debts; my student loan payment is not at the top of the list. Most student loan borrowers have debts in addition to their student loans. Most other sources of debt, however, do not offer the flexible repayment options or the serious consequences for default. Nobody wins in a student loan default, and all parties involved want to help borrowers avoid default.