Sep 27, 2013 11:35 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Student loan debt is at an all-time high, but there are repayment plans and forgiveness programs out there that do not get the right kind of exposure, the Associated Press reported.

American Student Assistance (ASA) is a non-profit that helps students manage their student loan debt. Betsy Mayotte, director of regulatory compliance, said programs like this are present but many are probably unaware.

"There needs to be more awareness about these programs," she said.

ASA and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a government watchdog, are both active in helping borrowers in the long run instead of offering a quick fix. Such repayment options are often tied to low-paying careers, like public defense, teaching and working for a non-profit.

The Public Service Program is geared toward anyone who works in a local, state or federal government job or for a non-profit organization. This program is for people with high student loan debt relative to their salary. It offers potential forgiveness if a person makes 120 on-time monthly payments, while working at a qualifying job for ten years (does not have to be consecutive).

The program is fairly new, started in 2007, so no one has received loan forgiveness through it as of yet. Anyone looking to take advantage must first determine if their job and salary qualifies them.

Income-Based Repayment is a program that lowers one's monthly payment if they are too high in relation to the borrower's paycheck. After 25 years, the borrower may even be eligible for forgiveness as taxed income. All this means is the IRS will charge the borrower a sum lower than the remaining balance if the lender deems the borrower eligible.

Pay As You Earn is another government program, similar to Income-Based Repayment, that allows the borrower to have their monthly payments lowered if they are too high relative to their income. Under this plan, borrowers are eligible for taxed income forgiveness after 20 years.

The ASA and CFPB are ready and willing to point student loan borrowers toward other programs that will be best suited to them. For example, teachers can receive loan forgiveness up to $17,500 for working at a qualifying school for five consecutive years. In some instances, employers will even help graduates pay off their student loans.

Mayotte said the programs in place are not designed to allow students to take out huge loans just so they may be forgiven later, but rather are in place for those who need them. If too many who did not need the aid took advantage of these programs, it is conceivable they be taken away.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit