Student loans are coming back!

Assalamu Alaikum, girlie! 🌸

You’ve probably seen it all over the gram and Tiktok: the government is coming for unpaid student loans again. Specifically, the kind that went into default and are now coming back with a vengeance.

I know it’s tempting to scroll past and pretend it’s not your problem. Trust me, I get it. Life has been lifing, and loans that were paused for years probably fell to the bottom of your mental to-do list.

But sis... the clock is ticking and I don’t want you to get hit with something you could’ve prepared for.⏰

So let’s break down what’s happening (without the fluff), what it means if your loans are in default, and how to get ahead of it even if you’re starting from zero.

The tea: collections are back

Starting May 1st, the Department of Education will resume collections on federal student loans that are in default. That means if you haven’t made payments in over 270 days and your loans went into default before or during the pause, they’re coming for their money.

And by “coming for it,” I mean:

• Wage garnishment 💸

• Tax refund seizures (yep, even that refund you were lowkey counting on)

• Garnishing federal benefits (yes... even grandma’s Social Security isn’t safe)

This is not a drill.

😬 If this applies to you…

Let’s not panic. Let’s not spiral. Let’s just deal with it like grown Muslim girlies who take accountability and do what needs to be done 💅🏾

Here’s your 3-step game plan:

🕵🏾‍♀️ Step 1: Figure out where you actually stand

Log into studentaid.gov with your FSA ID. If you forgot your login info, take the 3 minutes to reset it — don’t skip this step because you're scared. You're grown. We do grown things.

Once you're in, check:

• Are your loans current?

• Are any marked as “default” or “delinquent”?

• Who’s your loan servicer?

This info tells you how urgent the situation is and what your next steps should be.

💼 Step 2: If your loans are in default…

Time to get serious. Here’s what you shouldn’t do:

• Hope the student loan forgiveness will finally come through

• Ignore the letters

• Wait for the government to garnish your paycheck

• Assume it’s too late to fix

Instead, here’s what to do:

• Call the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115

• Be polite, ask questions, and write everything down.

• Start negotiating a payment plan that fits your budget — even if it’s tiny.

The goal is not to “be perfect.” This is about regaining control before they take that control from you. If they sense you’re taking it seriously, they’ll probably work with you.

💵 Step 3: Make a plan and attack it

This part? No one can do it for you. If you’ve got defaulted loans, it’s going to require:

• Working more hours or a second/ third/ fourth gigs as needed

• Cutting back on your wants, even if it feels inconvenient

• Getting clear on your numbers: how much you owe, to who, and what you can realistically pay

• Making payments consistently, even if they’re small at first

You don’t have to do everything today. But you do have to start.

We’re not looking for shortcuts: we’re building discipline, ownership, and real financial power. You got this, girlie.

🧠 Bonus: Check your beliefs too

This might sting a little but hear me out with love:
If you've been mentally avoiding this because you’re ashamed or overwhelmed, that’s valid. But don’t letting those feelings run the show anymore.

Don’t let student loans steal your peace when you’ve got options and autonomy on your side.
You are not your debt. But you are the only one who can fix it. And I believe you can.

🎙️ Update from ”If I Were You” show!

Last week was a blast with Hana! The clips will be on our IG page soon.

This week it’s me, the mic, and my opinionated thoughts on money + real life 😌
I want your money questions — the wild, the awkward, the juicy.

👀 Got a question about budgeting? A group trip drama? A destination wedding fiasco? Your friend won’t pay back the money she owes you? Drop it in the link below!

Keep pushing,

Fatimah ✨ 

Founder, Finance Girlie