[skiboyx]

Assalamu Alaykum, I am seeking knowlegde about a difficult issue I am facing. I enrolled in a University using a student loan with intrest very close to the time I took my shahada and at the time I did not know that Riba was haraam. I eventually realized midway through my program and thought about dropping out. I choose however to stay because I did not know what to do. Since then the guilt has been eating away at me. I have recently become more religious and learning more about Islam. I feel somewhat helpless on what I should do about my student loan. I have 3 semesters left. I have asked Allah swt for forgiveness for my ignorance, but I feel that I should do something about it NOW. I dont have a job and I have no work experience so college was my way in the door. I start a new semester soon. My question is should I use financial aide to get my books for this semester. I have to get them in the next two days and it just dawned on me that I will dealing with intrest. I just dont know what to do. I want to leave the school and find a job to pay the money back. I know this may not seem like an important issue in comparison but I really need sound advice as a revert it is some what hard to figure things out. If anyone has any serious advice for me PLEASE HELP!!. Jazak Allah khair, assalamu alaykum wah rahmatulahi wa barakatu.

[VowJoyday]

Asalamu Alaikum Sister,

I have read so many articles on this as my husband has some student loans and we are approaching the time when we have to pay them. It is a difficulty if you can pay your student loans in 6 months prior to them being due and interest baring you can side step the interest (I don't know where you are located but in the US the government funded loans have no interest while you are in school and if paid in full within 6 months you don't have to pay interest). I've read articles where scholars have said that it is fine and others where it says that it is not. Best bet in this situation is to start applying for scholarships for the remaining time you are in school and start looking for alternative means of funding school, such as grants, or see if there is an Islamic bank which provides student loans. I've tried looking for one in the states but have not come across any. If I do I will remember to post the link for you. Alternatively there are some employers who pay off your student loans as long as you sign a 3-4 year contract, which I have never found any assessment of if your employer pays your student loans then if this is an issue.

Jazak'Allah Khair, Insh'allah someone will help you better than I and if they do then I too will be helped.

[GoveMoony]

Quitting school at this time when only 3 semesters are left is not a sane option, however if you have means to pay the loan off, by selling some property or something, then it good option, else look for some good job and pay your loan as soon as possible. Meanwhile ask Allah for forgiveness sincerely.
wa allahu alam