I thought I'd go ahead and get the smaller loan taken care of first.

I have a Stafford loan that is with KY Higher Education for roughly $5300 (princ. around $4K).

I called w/ the 1% in mind. I was told $75/mth payments. I mentioned to her that I have many other loans that I am going to be trying to pay on as well so all I could afford on this one is around $60/mth.

She agreed to let me pay $50/mth for 3 months and then re-evaluate for possible increase in payment at that time. She said it may be possible to keep it at the $50/mth according to my situation.

She then said she needed a check over the phone to set up automatic withdrawal for the down payment which will be due 9/15. I told her I do not have a checking account and will be sending money orders. She was totally fine with this and told me to mail it by the 9th or 10th and to feel free to call her to make sure they rec'd the payment.

So, 1 loan down and still have the DOE loans to go, but it's a start!