for the last year I was paying about {$470.00} dollars on my loan. The minimum payment was initially {$460.00}. I also paid a few times in the amount of {$470.00} to give myself more buffer room. I did this under the impression the amount was being applied to the principal. But now I find out that the amount was being applied to next months payment. They call it paid ahead. I do n't understand how this paid ahead works. If I am paying extra on my loan every month then it should be applied right away and not used as a credit for the next month. My loans were given to me by Discover Student Loans and are serviced by XXXX XXXX. I just would like to know What I have to do to pay more. It does n't make sense that If I pay more that my minimum payment does n't stay down over time.