As you get closer to graduation, student loan repayment is likely one of the many things beginning to weigh on your mind. Happily, with most all student loans, you still have time to plan. Loans borrowed through the federal FFEL or direct Stafford programs allow the borrower a six month grace period after graduation before repayment begins. Other loans such as a Federal Perkins loan, or an alternative loan you may have received outside of any federal or state program, may have different lengths of time for which they are deferred after graduation. It’s best to speak to your lender or financial aid adviser to get all the details on these. The grace periods allowed to student borrowers after graduation allow you to take some time to secure your income, and put your after-college financial life in order. Rather than continuing to put repayment on the back burner, this is also an opportunity for you to make sure you will be able to make those payments when they come due.