If you work a public-service job and you've been making timely payments since Oct. 1, 2007, those payments may count towards a federal loan forgiveness program. You will need a total of 10 years of timely, regular payments. If you still have debt after 10 years, the government will cancel the rest.
Programs such as Americorps*VISTA offers its volunteers up to $4,725 to put towards loans in exchange for a year of service, plus a living stipend. VISTA has no age limit, and older people are encouraged to apply.
If you have low income, you may qualify for income-based repayment programs. Since your payment is always based on the amount that you are bringing in, it may be easier to make your payments through this program. This is available to all loan holders, regardless of age.
If you have several loans out, it may help ease the burden of your student loans by consolidating them into one loan. Rather than paying $200 to one company, $300 to another and $400 to another, you can pay one sum to one lender. You can consolidate with a private lender or you can consolidate with Direct Loans, the public education loans organization.
For those with exceptional circumstance, deferment may be a possibility. It won't help you pay off the loan, but it will help you get time to catch your breath. Forbearance is a three month break in case you know you won't be able to make payments. This is a good way to protect your credit if you know you're going to have trouble making payments.
Many grants and scholarships can be applied to paying off student loans. There are some designed especially for older adults, including the Jennette Rankin Scholarship for older women and the AARP scholarship for those 55 and older.