Introducing NCLC’s Student Loan Toolkit

Whether you are just starting your student loan journey or have been dealing with student loan debt for decades, you can use NCLC’s newly created Student Loan Toolkit to help you take charge of your student loan situation and move forward. Download the toolkit today!

The Toolkit explains the basics of the student loan system, how to assess your own student loan situation, and your options for managing your student loan debt. It includes fillable pages where you can record your own student loan information to help you work through your situation and track your progress toward becoming debt-free. Finally, the Toolkit includes information on how and when to get additional help with your student loans, as well as other useful resources.

While the Toolkit is addressed to student loan borrowers, it can also be used by financial counselors, legal aid attorneys, and other advocates who work with people with student loan debt. The content is useful as a resource to borrowers, counselors, and attorneys alike, and the fillable pages can be used to guide meetings with borrowers, collect key information, and document information for the borrower to refer back to as needed. 

The Toolkit was adapted from the National Consumer Law Center’s book, Surviving Debt. Surviving Debt has been a leading resource for nearly 30 years, providing practical advice on how to deal with crushing debt of all types. Surviving Debt is available for free online at library.nclc.org/book/surviving-debt. You can also purchase a print copy at library.nclc.org/SD/subscribe. 

NCLC’s Toolkit and the Launch of the DFPI Student Loan Empowerment Network in California

NCLC created this Toolkit as part of an important new initiative launched this month to empower borrowers and expand access to free student loan support in California. This initiative, led by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), has created a new Student Loan Empowerment (SLE) Network. The SLE Network connects California student loan borrowers with free expert, trusted and personalized support that can break the detrimental cycles of debt and generational poverty. The SLE Network organizations are community-based and legal aid organizations that provide free financial coaching and legal assistance, including help signing up for income-driven repayment plans and applying for federal student loan forgiveness programs. NCLC, as the SLE Network Training and Quality Assurance partner, has developed the Student Loan Toolkit in collaboration with and support from DFPI.

For more information about the SLE Network, or to request help (for borrowers in California), visit studentloanhelp.dfpi.ca.gov or call (888) 774-2227.