Student loan trouble in Arizona: what to do
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
In Arizona:
- Time limit to sue on a private student loan
- 6 years for a debt based on a written contract made in Arizona or on a credit card. 3 years for a debt not based on a written contract, or a stated or open account.
- Do this now
- Log in to studentaid.gov to see all your federal loans, their status and your servicer. Private loans won't be listed there.
For federal student loans, act before default: you can usually change to a payment based on your income, or ask for a deferment or forbearance. A federal loan generally goes into default after 270 days without payment; then the government can take tax refunds, part of Social Security, and up to 15% of your disposable pay without suing you.
More about this
When and how it uses these tools can change, so read every notice you get. Private student loans follow your contract and state law, and the lender must sue to garnish wages.
General legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm.
Build your plan
Choose your state and answer 2 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.
Your plan for Arizona
Do now
Log in to studentaid.gov to see all your federal loans, their status and your servicer. Private loans won't be listed there.
Why: Your options depend on the loan type and status.
Call your servicer and ask about switching to an income-based repayment plan or a temporary deferment or forbearance.
Why: An income-based payment can be very low if your income is low, and keeps you out of default.
Ignore anyone who asks for an upfront fee to 'fix' your federal loans.
Why: Everything you can do with federal loans can be done free through your servicer or studentaid.gov.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
This week
If you're in default, ask about loan rehabilitation (a series of affordable monthly payments) or consolidation.
Why: These are the main ways out of default; rehabilitation can also remove the default record from your credit report.
If you get a notice of wage garnishment or tax refund offset, request a hearing or review by the deadline in the notice.
Why: You can object if the debt isn't yours, is wrong, or if garnishment would cause financial hardship.
For private loans, ask the lender about hardship programs, and use your debt-collector rights if a collector contacts you.
Why: Private loans don't have federal income-driven plans; the lender must sue before garnishing wages.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
If it's not resolved
Check whether you qualify for discharge or forgiveness (for example, school closure, disability, or public service loan forgiveness).
Why: Some borrowers don't have to repay at all.
If a private lender sues you, follow the sued-by-debt-collector plan and check your state's time limit to sue.
Why: Private student loans are subject to state time limits; federal loans are not.
File a complaint with the Federal Student Aid ombudsman (federal) or the CFPB (private loans) if the servicer or collector won't help.
Why: They can review mistakes and stuck accounts.
Nothing extra here for your answers.
Deadlines
When a federal loan goes into default
General rule: Generally after 270 days of missed payments (Direct Loans)
Request a hearing on administrative wage garnishment or tax offset
General rule: By the deadline in the notice you receive
Time limit to sue on a private student loan
General rule: see state (no time limit for federal student loans)
In Arizona:
6 years for a debt based on a written contract made in Arizona or on a credit card. 3 years for a debt not based on a written contract, or a stated or open account.
Law: Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-548(A), 12-543 · checked Oct 2026 · Official source
Key facts for Arizona
Debt Collector Map
- Time limit to sue on a debt
- 6 years (written contract), 3 years (open account)
- Wage garnishment limit
- Up to 10%
- State license for collectors
- Yes
Debt Collector Map: Arizona · checked Oct 2026
Documents to gather
- Your studentaid.gov loan list and servicer name
- Proof of income (tax return or pay stubs) for an income-based plan
- Any notices of default, garnishment or tax offset
- Private loan contract and statements
- Notes of calls with servicers
Where to go
- FederalFederal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)
Federal loans: repayment plans, default, discharge
- FederalFederal Student Aid Ombudsman
A federal loan problem your servicer won't fix
- FederalCFPB (private student loans)
Problems with a private student loan lender or servicer
- FederalLegal aid (Legal Services Corporation finder)
You need free legal help and have low or moderate income
Costs
Changing repayment plans, rehabilitation and consolidation for federal loans are free. Collection costs may be added to defaulted federal loans.
Talk to a lawyer if
- A private lender or collector sued you
- Your wages or benefits are being taken and you can't cover basic needs
- You think your school misled you or closed
- You are considering bankruptcy with student loans
Free help
Free civil legal aid for people with low income: find your local program through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org). Many legal aid offices handle debt collection lawsuits, garnishment and bankruptcy. Servicemembers can use their base legal (JAG) office.
Guides for your state
Guides for every state
Questions
When a federal loan goes into default: what is the rule?
Generally after 270 days of missed payments (Direct Loans)
Request a hearing on administrative wage garnishment or tax offset: what is the rule?
By the deadline in the notice you receive
What is the time limit to sue on a private student loan in Arizona?
6 years for a debt based on a written contract made in Arizona or on a credit card. 3 years for a debt not based on a written contract, or a stated or open account. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-548(A), 12-543)
When should I talk to a lawyer?
A private lender or collector sued you; Your wages or benefits are being taken and you can't cover basic needs; You think your school misled you or closed; You are considering bankruptcy with student loans.
How much does it cost?
Changing repayment plans, rehabilitation and consolidation for federal loans are free. Collection costs may be added to defaulted federal loans.
Plans by state
Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: Student loan default
- Federal Student Aid: Getting out of default
- Federal Student Aid: Repayment plans
- CFPB: Student loans
- CFPB: Can a debt collector take or garnish my wages or benefits?
- CFPB: Can debt collectors collect a debt that's several years old?
- 34 CFR § 685.102 (default after 270 days)
- 34 CFR § 34.20 (Education Department garnishment: up to 15% of disposable pay)
Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.
This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.