Federal student loans

In July, interest rates on some federal student loans are set to jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent -- and students are scrambling to stop the change.

A new student debt plan, known as 'Pay As You Earn', could make monthly payments smaller and some debts disappear altogether.

Today the nonpartisan New America Foundation is out with a report that suggests changes to income-based loan repayment rules are benefiting high-income, high-debt students.

Did I hear you say on one of your previous programs that seniors who have been paying on student loans for 10 years or more can have the debts dismissed? Mine are a consolidation of federal loans and I haven't missed a payment in the past 10 years. Helen, Portland, OR

I am 26 years old and recently graduated from grad school. I have about $28,000 of loan debt, from both undergrad and grad school. My deferment is up next month, and without changing or consolidating anything, I will owe more than $500/month. I work for a non-profit and cannot make that high of a payment. I know I have some options for repayment and consolidation. I am trying to find a balance in which I am paying what I can afford each month, but not extending my loans so much that I am paying an absurd amount of interest. Elisa, Bozeman, MT