Paying back 7 year old loan - How to proceed?

Hello all,

I have a student loan dating back to 2009-2010ish that for various reasons I allowed to go into default (lack of financial stability, sidetracked by family crises, just plain ignoring it, etc). Now that I am a little more settled, I intend to contact the agency holding the loan to arrange repayment and attempt to rehabilitate the loan and pay it down to zero in a decent timeframe. Quick notes:

- The loan is currently at around $8000, up from $6500ish originally. I am not in a position to pay it all outright

- I'm pretty sure there is a lien on my tax returns, though I have not filed for a tax return since I left school

- My grades were generally good across the board but I did not successfully complete the program I was in. My family have a history of depression, bipolar, and sleep disorders. Complications related to both my own difficulties and helping my family cope with theirs were a big contributor to my inability to complete the program successfully. I have access to supporting documents.

- I have been working full-time for the last two years. In the time previously, I lived with family, attended full time school off and on while working (tuition paid out of pocket), and was recognized as single dependent under my mother's ODSP. I no longer live with my family.

- I am not working in a field directly related to any of my studies

- ARO collections has my loan. I have not spoken with them.

I'm assuming step one is calling the agency. How should I proceed from there? What information would I be expected to provide/what information should I withhold? Are there options for relief or repayment assistance available to me? How do I not screw myself?

Thanks in advance

Thank you for the prompt reply. I've looked over the assessment/analysis tab on the cfw website. What materials should I gather before scheduling the appointment?

Hi John