September student loan deadlines you cannot miss

Student loan borrowers, you have homework due by the end of September.

The Department of Education has warned for months of the largest overhaul of student loans in decades, including simplifying payment plans, adding loan limits and types and offering temporary relief if you become an auto-payer. If you've been procrastinating and haven't done anything yet, deadlines are approaching quickly.

If they pass, and you didn't act, you could lose certain benefits forever, student loan experts said.

"Borrowers are already carrying enough financial pressure, so when there’s an opportunity to reduce the cost of their student debt, we want to make sure they can take full advantage of it," said Ken Ruggiero, chief executive of private online student loan lender Ascent. "Don't leave savings on the table."

Some money-saving benefits are being offered, but only if you act before the end of September. They include:

"While that may not seem like a dramatic jump, it adds up over the life of the loan, and it's savings borrowers can't get back once the deadline passes," Ruggiero said. "Every dollar matters when you’re paying down student debt, and it’s so important that borrowers have the information they need in order to take…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/