Bless your heart, Sanitizer!!! I know this forum is nowhere near as active as the credit forum, but I think it's an awesome resource of info about student loans - sure don't know of anything else like it. We have so many awesome regular posters here who really have a ton of knowledge. We're very lucky that they've stuck around and help so many people.
OK, as promised - answers to your questions, with the caveat that I'm not the end-all be-all expert. I have gone through the student loan wringer and I just read and research a lot... but I'm sure others here will chime in with contributions.
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1. So, how do you know you're in default?
I think you are in default once you are 270 - 330 days late on your loan. Somebody correct me if that's wrong. Oops OK, that's right - here's a link with full details about it -
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/default.htmlQUOTE
2. I know what it means to default, but w/ respect to SL's, does default mean that the GOV steps in, wages are garnished, lawsuits are threatened?
Yes, that is a possibility. Your loans could be turned over to a CA to collect too.
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3.I have a spotty history with several lates, as late as 180, but none beyond that. Did I "officially default"?
Hahaha - you'd know if you did - trust me on that one. 180 days is bad, but it's not yet fully defaulted. Plus you can't get a forbearance if you are in default, and you do have a forbearance, ergo you aren't in default.
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4. And do I need to consider rehab? What would that do for me? (Most of my problems TL's for SL's are nearing (or at) the 7 yr mark. The newest TL's have some negatives, but the others are falling off.)
Rehab is only for loans that are currently in a default status (as in - with a CA, or your wages are already being garnished). Since you are in forbearance, then you have permission to not be paying right now. They know you aren't, so they aren't sending a CA after your butt. So you aren't eligible for rehab.
(Note to newbies - don't default on purpose just to get in rehab. It is a God-send, but it is a year or more of purgatory. It is not an easy road to follow, for sure.)
As for your negs nearing the 7 yr mark, they'll be gone soon so be happy!! As for any recent negs... well, some have had mixed success with tradeline disputes or goodwill requests. I think generally, you'll have more success with a goodwill request if you are keeping in touch with the lender/guarantor and paying and trying to meet your obligations. There's no guarantees there (well are there any in life really?), but it's worth a shot.
Well gosh you sure had a laundry list... lol. I hope I answered your questions, or at least gave you food for thought.
Here's another good link about default and rehab -
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/repaying.htmlThanks Cheech! Sorry for the long delay in expressing my gratitude--you're awesome!