NCLC Launches New Video Series for Student Loan Borrowers

July 1, 2025 — Press Release

Videos explain borrowers’ repayment options as rapid changes in policy, funding create confusion

WASHINGTON – Student loan experts at the National Consumer Law Center’s (NCLC) Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project have created a series of student loan borrower help videos designed for borrowers struggling to navigate the student loan repayment process. The videos, produced with support from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, aim to help borrowers manage their student loans. With repayment underway and collections restarted as of last month, as many as 10 million borrowers are either in or will soon be in default. 

“Recent changes to student loan repayment options make it harder than ever for student loan borrowers to decipher their options,” said Kyra Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center and student loan expert. “The goal of this video series is to make it easy for borrowers to understand their options, regardless of the type of loan or loan repayment stage they’re in.”

The video series is released ahead of major changes expected to impact the student loan system. Two court decisions have temporarily blocked the SAVE Plan from taking effect and the Department of Education and Congress are considering other changes to student loan repayment and discharge programs.

The video series examines a wide-range of student loan topics, including: 

• How to know what type of loan you have;

• How to navigate studentaid.gov;
• Where to turn when things go wrong;
• Student loan repayment options, including income-driven repayment (IDR), income-based repayment (IBR), income-contingent repayment (ICR), and SAVE plans;
• Older loans, such as Perkins or FFEL loans;
• Private student loans;
• Loan forgiveness and relief program;
• Advice for parents who have taken out Parent PLUS loans; and
• What to do if your loans are in default.

“Defaulting on your federal student loans can have serious consequences; the federal government can take your tax refund, garnish your wages, or take a portion of other federal benefits. It will also impact your credit,” said Anna Anderson, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “Our videos explain to borrowers what to do if their loans are in default to get relief and stop collections.” 

The videos are the latest resources available on NCLC’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project website, which features additional help videos, a Student Loan Toolkit for financial counselors and legal aid advocates working with student loan borrowers, the latest news for borrowers, and much more. 

Related Resources

• Proposals to Alter Student Loan Repayment Would Worsen Crisis of Older Adults Struggling with Student Debt, April 7, 2025
• Borrower Defense: What Will Happen to Students in Debt Because They Were Scammed by Their School if the 2022 Rule is Rescinded?, March 25, 2025
• Debt Without a Degree: Preserving Protections for Students When Schools Close, March 17, 2025