It is no secret that people struggle to pay their student loans. It may be difficult for low-income workers keep up with monthly payments. Fortunately, there are government programs that can help.

The first is called Income-Based Repayment (IBR). But does not eliminate your debt can make the payments more affordable. Your monthly payments are not determined by how much you owe, if not by income and family size. So if you have children and a low salary, the program can help reduce monthly payments.

The IBR program covers federal loans and not private. To qualify you must pay 15% of what you earn 150% above poverty level. If you are unsure if you qualify, there is an online calculator that will help you find out.

If you have low income and public service work, you may forgive you your federal loans through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To qualify you must work for an employer eligible for the program. This includes federal, state, local, and tribes, and all nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt free. People working full-time AmeriCorps or Peace Corps are also eligible. There are also other ways to qualify. For example, if you work for emergency services, military, public safety services and health services.

If you fill these requirements, you may be forgiven all your federal loans. But before too happy to imagine you never to make a payment, you will have to wait. The loans are forgiven after 10 years of eligible employment during which you must continue making payments. The consolation is that by spending a decade, you can reduce your payments through the IBR program.

To apply for the IBR program, contact your lender. If you are unsure who is responsible, go to the National Students Loan Data System to find out.