Las Vegas Student Loan Attorney Law Office of Brian D. Shapiro, LLC

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What to Gather Before Your Student Loan Consultation

By Brian D. Shapiro

The more complete your documents, the faster and more accurate your review will be. Here's what to gather before your consultation — and why each item matters.

Your loans

  • Your studentaid.gov loan summary. It shows each federal loan, its type, its balance and who holds it. This is the most important document you can bring.
  • Statements and letters from your loan servicer. Recent statements, plus any letters about default, collections, forbearance or repayment plans.
  • Promissory notes, if you have them.

Your bankruptcy case

If you've already filed:

  • Your case number
  • Your petition, schedules and statement of financial affairs
  • Your discharge order, if you received one

Your income and expenses

  • Tax returns for the last two years
  • Recent pay stubs, or proof of Social Security, disability, pension or other income
  • A rough list of your monthly expenses: rent or mortgage, utilities, car, insurance, medical costs and so on

Your repayment history

  • Any applications for income-driven repayment, deferment or forbearance — and any approvals or denials
  • Notes on times you contacted your servicer, if you kept them

Don't worry if your payment history is spotty. Missed payments don't automatically disqualify you.

Your hardship statement

In one page or less, in your own words, explain why repaying your student loans is a hardship. Think about your health, your age, your work history, your family responsibilities and whether your situation is likely to change.

Protect your information

Before sending any documents, black out all but the last four digits of Social Security numbers and account numbers. Once you hire us, you'll upload everything through our secure client portal — please don't email documents before then.

Ready?

Call 702-386-8600 to schedule your free consultation.

This post is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts. The Law Office of Brian D. Shapiro, LLC is a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

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