Jackman
New member
I'm a UCLA grad (Go Bruins! 
), and I've been out in the "real world" for a few years now, working in tech and finally feeling like I've got a handle on my student loans. But it wasn't always this way!
When I was an undergrad in Westwood, I signed my Master Promissory Note (MPN) as fast as humanly possible. I just wanted my financial aid to hit my account so I could afford my overpriced rent near campus, you know?
I had absolutely no clue what document explains your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower. I didn't even think about it.
Then came graduation. I was stressed about finding a job, and the thought of my loan payments starting was terrifying. A friend finally sat me down and asked, "Did you ever actually read the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement that came with your MPN?" I hadn't. So I logged into studentaid.gov, found it, and actually read it.
Y'all, it was a total game-changer. It explained my right to deferment and forbearance, my right to choose from different repayment plans (including income-driven options that saved me!), and my responsibility to keep my loan servicer updated when I moved to a new apartment in Long Beach. It's all in there—clear as day!
So here's my advice to all my fellow Californians: when you sign that MPN, don't just click through. Download the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement, put it in your Google Drive, and actually read it. It's the ultimate guide to staying in control of your loans.
), and I've been out in the "real world" for a few years now, working in tech and finally feeling like I've got a handle on my student loans. But it wasn't always this way!When I was an undergrad in Westwood, I signed my Master Promissory Note (MPN) as fast as humanly possible. I just wanted my financial aid to hit my account so I could afford my overpriced rent near campus, you know?
I had absolutely no clue what document explains your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower. I didn't even think about it.Then came graduation. I was stressed about finding a job, and the thought of my loan payments starting was terrifying. A friend finally sat me down and asked, "Did you ever actually read the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement that came with your MPN?" I hadn't. So I logged into studentaid.gov, found it, and actually read it.
Y'all, it was a total game-changer. It explained my right to deferment and forbearance, my right to choose from different repayment plans (including income-driven options that saved me!), and my responsibility to keep my loan servicer updated when I moved to a new apartment in Long Beach. It's all in there—clear as day!
So here's my advice to all my fellow Californians: when you sign that MPN, don't just click through. Download the Borrower's Rights and Responsibilities Statement, put it in your Google Drive, and actually read it. It's the ultimate guide to staying in control of your loans.