For millions of Texans carrying student loan debt, ignoring the problem may seem easier than trying to navigate a rapidly changing repayment system.

But student loan expert Sonia Lewis says doing nothing could leave borrowers facing damaged credit, default, collections and potentially years of additional payments.

"Ignorance is expensive in this season because of all of the parameters that will be imposed on you if you don't want to go or can't go into repayment, and you don't communicate," Lewis said.