Answer to Summons

I am a college student that just received a summons from a law firm representing Capital One. I am required to send an answer in 30 days and do not have the money to get an attorney. I owe $950.00 and do not have the ability to come up with the entire amount. I do not know how to proceed and if it is mandatory that I do see an attorney to answer this summons. If anyone has any advice on what steps I should take that would be the least costly and how to go about doing this, I would greatly appreciate this. I live in the state of Georgia, Henry county.