Because education-loan borrowers who encounter loan-payment problems typically are experiencing problems repaying other consumer debt, nonprofit consumer credit-counseling agencies may be useful references for these borrowers. Here are some consumer credit-counseling resources:

• The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is the nation’s largest and longest-serving national nonprofit credit-counseling network. NFCC offers a Web site, DebtAdvice.org, that helps consumers understand the wise use of credit and locate a counselor if they need assistance.
• The Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies offers an online directory, searchable by state, of member agencies.
• The Federal Trade Commission offers advice for selecting a consumer credit-counseling agency.