If there is any consolation to being deep in debt, the more federal student loan debt you owe, the more relief there is to be had. That is good news, right? For those who owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal college debt, it is great news. If you can decrease how much debt you have to acquire to get your diploma, it would be even better.

For those of you who are eligible for loan forgiveness plans,120 payments towards your loans will bring lots of student loan debt relief along with it, especially if income based payments are part of the plan as well.

Income based programs will calculate your loan payments according to your last years' income tax return. If you graduate in June, not claimed as a dependent on your parent's tax return and were in school full time, your beginner monthly payments are zero. Once you get a job, you will have worked 6 months or less of the next tax year. Your monthly payments will be recalculated based on your wages from that period of time. You have just paid very little towards your loan forgiveness payment plan. Student loan debt solutions are not only available, but they also have immense value if worked correctly.

In order to make the most out of any eligible relief you will need to understand how the federal governments programs work or hire someone who does. Student debt relief companies are professional services that know the government complexities inside and out in order to save each client the most from college debt.

The problem is that these government relief programs are still new or remains unknown to many debtors. Default loan percentages have skyrocketed over the last decade due to the unaffordability of college debt.

There is a push to get into debt. Student loans have become a way of life rather than a supplemental source to pay for school. A college education is important, but does a student need to focus on loans in order to get by? There are many proactive options which result in free money for college if a student or parent knows how to get it. Excelling in academics, athletic or the arts will get a student free money in certain schools. It may not pay for it all, but you can shop around to find the one that offers the most. Apply for local community scholarships or through your parent's employer to find lesser known money. Work each summer and put that money against your college bill. Any amount will help.

When you do receive federal money, understand the repayment options ahead of you. Once you graduate, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done so your loans do not fall into default. Are your loans subsidized or unsubsidized? What will you do about the interest payments while you are in school and during your grace period so you understand the repercussions for not making any payments until absolutely necessary? Don't lose sight of your federal student loan debt options from the minute you receive the money until you are required to pay it back.