Student loan help is available for free from Lutheran Social Services. Shannon Doyle, Program Manager of Financial Education with LSS, says the CARES Act from Congress has suspended payments and dropped the interest rate to 0 on those loans. Private borrowers may also be able to access debt relief, as many private lenders are offering reduced interest and suspended payments for student loans. LSS financial services can be reached at 888-577-2277, or online at lssmn.org/studentdebt. Appointments are currently being held over the phone due to the pandemic. The closest LSS office is in Brainerd.
The full interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
