Despite pandemic pause, experts say you shouldn't delay paying student loans

It's been more than two years since had to think about federal student loan repayments.

"It's definitely in the back of my mind most of the time," said North Carolina State University freshman Zaniyah Mulbah.

While the grace period slowly comes to an end, there are proactive things people can do to ease the burden once repayment starts back up.

"My sister, she graduated during the pandemic, so she's about to have her loans paid off and she doesn't have to pay for the interest yet because of the way the government keeps pushing it back," said N.C. State freshman Olivia Allred.

The Institute of Studen Loan Advisors president Betsy Mayotte said now is the time to tackle student loan debt.

"I don't want people to set it and forget it," said Mayotte.

"The plan is to make a lump sum payment of all that money right before the pause ends," she said.

Borrowers should also be wary of scams.

"You should never have to pay for student loan advice or access to a loan forgiveness program," said Mayotte.