Loan Management

Managing your student loans is an important part of your educational journey, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. While repayment can sometimes feel complicated or confusing, there are resources and support available every step of the way.

At Pima Medical Institute, our loan department is here to help answer your questions and guide you through your options with confidence: pmi.loan.questions@pmi.edu or 1-888-377-5980

What are federal student loans?

Federal student loans are low-interest loans provided directly by the federal government. These loans typically have interest rates that are significantly lower than those of private loans, making them a more affordable option for borrowing money. When you file your FAFSA, you are automatically considered for federal loans.

Here are the types of federal student loans available for undergraduates:

  • Direct Subsidized Loans
  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Parent PLUS Loans
  • Private Loans – Private student loans are offered by private lenders, such as banks, and are not funded by the federal government. Private student loans usually come with stricter eligibility requirements. Lenders may require a good credit score and a cosigner. It is advisable to ensure you have fully explored all other possible sources of financial aid, including federal loans, before considering private loans.

Repaying Student Loans for the First Time

We are here to help our students understand their options and responsibilities as federal student loan borrowers.

Please take note of the following information. Keep in mind that federal student loans enter repayment six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. This six-month grace period allows you time to prepare before payments begin.

To help you stay on track, here are some key resources to manage your student loans:

  1. Log in to StudentAid.gov
  2. Managing Loans – studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans
  3. Student Loan Repayment – studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment
  4. Who’s My Student Loan Servicer? studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

Loan Repayment

It’s important to understand that student loans differ from scholarships and grants. Students are responsible for managing their loans until they are successfully repaid according to the timeline established by the loan lender.

Federal student loans must be repaid:

  • Even if you do not complete your degree.
  • If you are unable to secure a job related to your program of study, or
  • If you were unsatisfied with your educational experience.

While this may feel overwhelming, there are flexible repayment options and support programs designed to help you stay on track.

Can you help me with my student loan debt?

Yes, there are options available.

The Department of Education offers several programs to assist borrowers. Several of these programs are outlined below.

A income-based plan for borrowers prior to July 1, 2026 with repayment schedule designed based on discretionary income. your IDR plan payment.

A new income-based plan designed to replace existing income-driven options based on a sliding % of AGI.

A fixed-payment plan with a 10-to-25-year term, based on the total loan balance:

Less than $25,000: 10 Years

$25,000 to $49,999: 15 Years

$50,000 to $99,999: 20 Years

$100,000 or more: 25 Years

Trouble Making Your Federal Student Loan Payments?

Apply for Forbearance or Deferment

The difference between deferment and forbearance has to do with Interest accrual.

During a deferment, interest doesn’t accrue on some types of loans.

During a forbearance, interest accrues on ALL loan types.

If you believe you may be eligible for a deferment or forbearance, please contact the Pima Default Team, your loan servicer, or visit the Federal Student Aid Forms webpage for forms or additional information.

You might be able to get a student loan deferment if you are

  • Undergoing cancer treatment
  • In a graduate fellowship program
  • Enrolled in school at least half-time
  • Performing qualifying military service
  • A post-active duty service member
  • A Parent plus borrower with a student enrolled in school.
  • Enrolled in a rehabilitation training program 

Keep in mind their eligibility requirements for all types of deferment; generally, you must submit documentation to qualify.

If you believe you may be eligible for a deferment or forbearance, please contact the Pima Default Team, your loan servicer, or visit the Federal Student Aid Forms webpage for forms or additional information.

Federal forbearance requires a formal request and comes in two primary forms:

  • General Forbearance – designed for short-term relief
  • Mandatory Forbearance – designed for medical residency, statutory service obligations, military/public service, and special federal programs.

Please note that there are specific eligibility requirements for all types of forbearance, and you will need to submit documentation to apply. 

If you believe you may be eligible for a deferment or forbearance, please contact the Pima Default Team, your loan servicer, or visit the Federal Student Aid Forms webpage for forms or additional information.

Default Loans

If you fail to repay your federal student loans, your loan(s) may go into default.

Once in default:

  • If you’re over 360 days delinquent, your loans may be in default. Log in to see if you have loans in default.
  • You are ineligible for additional financial aid.
  • Your wages and tax refund may be garnished.
  • Your delinquency will be reported to credit bureaus.
  • To avoid default, contact your loan servicer as soon as you begin experiencing financial difficulties.

Many borrowers wait until they are in default and find that their tax refund has been taken as payment before seeking help. If you are working with someone who is in default, reassure them that there are ways to resolve loan default, including repayment, rehabilitation, or consolidation. The important thing is to contact the loan servicer as quickly as possible.

Stay Alert to Avoid Student Loan Scams. Never Pay for Help

Your student loan servicer will assist you for free: you should never pay an outside entity to help with student loans.

Emails from us will only come from these addresses:

  • noreply@studentaid.gov
  • noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov
  • gov@public.govdelivery.com

Our communication will only come from 227722 or 51592. If you need help with your federal student loans or are seeking student loan forgiveness, make sure you’re contacting a trusted U.S. Department of Education-affiliated company (our official loan servicers use websites and email addresses ending in .gov). Please review our list of contracted federal student loan servicers before contacting a potential partner.

Find out who services your federal student loan(s)

Go to studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers

You’re Not Alone

If you ever feel unsure about your loans or your ability to make payments, reaching out early can make a big difference. Our team is here to support you, answer questions and help you explore solutions that fit your situation.

Whom to Contact for Loan Information

Pima Medical Institute’s Loan Department – pmi.loan.questions@pmi.edu or 1-888-377-5980

Edfinancial: 1-855-337-6884

Mohela: 1-999-866-4352

Aidvantage: 1-800-722-1300

Nelnet: 1-888-486-4722

CRI: 1-833-355-4311

ECSI (Perkin): 1-866-313-3797

Default Resolution Group: 1-800-621-3115