What is the Nelnet controversy?

Asked by: Kenyatta Schroeder  |  Last update: March 28, 2024
Score: 4.2/5 (58 votes)

Nelnet and other lenders were accused of defrauding taxpayers of billions of dollars in student loan subsidies. The largest student lender in the country, Sallie Mae, is also listed as a defendant in the case. Oberg's suit ultimately led to taxpayer funds being returned by seven of the nine companies Oberg sued.

What is the Nelnet student loan scandal?

As early at 1993, Nelnet was accused of using a tax loophole to generate upwards of $1.2 billion dollars in profits from student loans that it managed. In 2007, the states of New York and Nebraska accused Nelnet of industry kickbacks and gifts to colleges and universities that pushed students toward Nelnet loans.

Is Nelnet part of the loan forgiveness?

Nelnet handles a variety of federal loans, and the eligibility for loan forgiveness programs such as President Biden's student debt relief plan, income-based repayment plan forgiveness, and the Income-Driven Repayment Waiver depends on the type of loan. Ahead, learn how to get your Nelnet student loans forgiven.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Nelnet?

Five persons with student loans filed a comprehensive Class Action against Nelnet, Inc. and two of its subsidiaries in Federal District Ct. in Nebraska, today.

Why are my student loans with Nelnet?

Nelnet is a federal student loan servicer working on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, the government agency that lends you or your child student loans. A loan servicer acts as the customer service provider for the loans that the Department of Education lends to borrowers.

The student loans debt crisis, explained

16 related questions found

Are Nelnet student loans private or federal?

For more than 40 years, Nelnet has helped students finance their education. That's why we are proud to offer private student loans through Nelnet Bank. These loans are for students needing to fill the gaps not met by federal financial aid, or who may be looking to refinance their student debt.

Is Sallie Mae and Nelnet the same?

Today, Navient and Sallie Mae are distinct, separate companies. But they were once under the same umbrella company. When Sallie Mae started in 1972, it serviced federal student loan debt. It eventually took on private student loans, too.

Will Nelnet honor student loan forgiveness?

Through June 2024, ED will continue to identify and notify borrowers who reach the necessary forgiveness threshold of 240 or 300 months' worth of qualifying payments. Nelnet will notify you directly after your forgiveness is processed. Make sure your contact information is up to date on Nelnet.com and StudentAid.gov.

Is Nelnet trusted?

Nelnet also has a 3.3 out of five stars on WalletHub out of 221 reviews. Negative reviews also discuss high interest payments and long processing times.

Did Nelnet take over federal student loans?

The transfer of loans from FedLoan Servicing to Nelnet will begin on or about October 28, 2021. Multiple transfers will take place through June 2022. Borrowers will be notified at least two weeks before their loan(s) is transferred.

Does Nelnet forgive student loans after 20 years?

After 20 or 25 years (depending on the terms of your loan) of qualifying payments, your remaining loan balance is eligible for forgiveness. Parent PLUS loans and consolidation loans (which include at least one parent PLUS loan) do not qualify for this plan.

Why did Great Lakes transfer to Nelnet?

The decision to transfer loans from Great Lakes to Nelnet was a result of the merging of 2 loan companies. Great Lakes and Nelnet were previously separate loan companies. But later they collaborated with each other and both of them merged.

How did Nelnet get my loan?

Great Lakes has transferred its entire portfolio of federal student loans to Nelnet and is no longer a student loan servicer. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) authorized this transfer and has posted a notice about it at StudentAid.gov/greatlakes.

Why is Nelnet still charging interest?

Interest may continue to accrue during a forbearance and may be capitalized at the end of the forbearance period. Log in to your Nelnet.com account and select Repayment Options & Resources to explore your options. For Nelnet account numbers beginning with “E”: Interest will continue to accrue during a forbearance.

Who owns Nelnet?

In Nelnet's case, its Top Key Executive, Michael Dunlap, is the largest shareholder, holding 24% of shares outstanding. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is the second largest shareholder owning 5.6% of common stock, and The Magnolia Group, LLC holds about 5.1% of the company stock.

Who did Nelnet buy out?

Nelnet acquired Great Lakes in 2018, but the two entities handled servicing separately.

Why is my Nelnet balance zero?

If your student loan balance is suddenly showing zero, some of the many reasons could be: Your federal student aid or private student loans were forgiven. You've completed one of the student loan forgiveness programs. You qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), or.

Which is better MOHELA or Nelnet?

MOHELA. The Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) is the first nonprofit federal student loan servicer to make it onto our list, narrowly squeaking ahead of Nelnet. Here's why. The more complexity a servicer is asked to deal with, the more likely they are to mess up.

Does Nelnet affect your credit?

Nelnet will report each individual loan to the credit agencies as one unique trade line that will appear on your credit report.

Why does Nelnet say paid in full?

You may notice your former servicer has cleared your loan account. For example, your loan balance may come up as “paid in full” on your former servicer's website or on your credit report. This does not mean you've received loan forgiveness. This is part of the loan transfer process.

How to get 100% student loan forgiveness?

Student loan cancellation programs

Perkins loan cancellation. Borrowers with federal Perkins loans can have up to 100% of their loans canceled if they work in a public service job for five years. In many cases, approved borrowers will see a percentage of their loans discharged incrementally for each year worked.

Why is my student loan showing a zero balance?

There are a few reasons your account may unexpectedly list a balance of zero: You got a new loan servicer. It's common for loan servicers to change, so your account may be zero with your old servicer if your loan amount was transferred to another servicer.

How do I get my Nelnet loans forgiven?

If you work in public service (for example, a government or nonprofit organization), you may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of your Direct Loans * after making 120 qualifying payments while employed full time (30 or more hours per week per week) by certain public service employers.

What did Nelnet used to be called?

History. Nelnet was founded in 1996 by Mike Dunlap and Steve Butterfield. In March 2000, Nelnet bought UNIPAC Service Corporation, an existing loan servicing company which was founded in 1978 and based in Denver, Colorado. As a subsidiary, UNIPAC Service Corporation was then renamed Nelnet Loan Services, Inc.

What is the difference between Nelnet and Navient?

Navient services both federal and private student loans, while Nelnet focuses solely on federal loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education and selected guaranty agencies.