Where did my Discover student loan go?

Asked by: Velda Sanford  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (43 votes)

The servicing of your Discover student loan(s) has transferred to Firstmark Services. Please contact Firstmark for questions, payments, and anything else related to your loan(s).

Why did my student loans just disappear?

Student loans disappear from credit reports 7.5 years from the date they are paid in full, charged-off, or entered default. However, education debt can reappear if you dig out of default with consolidation or loan rehabilitation. Student loans can have an outsized impact on your credit score.

Are Discover student loans going to be forgiven?

Unfortunately, private student loan borrowers don't have access to the same benefits and repayment plan options that federal student loan borrowers have. Sallie Mae loans, Discover loans and other private student loans can't be forgiven.

Why was my student loan transferred to Nelnet?

Why do loans get switched or transferred to a different servicer? Sometimes, we need to transfer loans from one servicer to another—for example, when a servicer's contract with us ends. Even if we transfer your loans to a new servicer, we (the U.S. Department of Education) still own your loans.

Where did my student loan money go?

Typically, the school first applies your grant or loan money toward your tuition, fees, and (if you live on campus) room and board. Any money left over is paid to you directly for other education expenses.

What Everyone's Getting Wrong About Student Loans

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How will I know if my student loan was forgiven?

Your student loan servicer(s) will notify you directly after your forgiveness is processed. Make sure to keep your contact information up to date on StudentAid.gov and with your servicer(s). If you haven't yet qualified for forgiveness, you'll be able to see your exact payment counts in the future.

Do student loans go directly to your bank account?

Typically, student loans do not get deposited in your bank account. Instead, the loans are disbursed directly to the school where it is applied to tuition payments and room and board. If there is any money leftover after paying for tuition, the money will then be distributed to the student.

Will loans under Nelnet be forgiven?

Teachers with loans through Nelnet can pursue teacher loan forgiveness. Teachers may qualify to have a maximum of $17,500 or $5,000 in student loans forgiven, depending on the subject area taught, if specific requirements are met.

Why is Discover not doing student loans anymore?

Discover's interim CEO and President John Owen said that “Discover's Board regularly reviews the strategic fit of all of our businesses, with a focus on providing exceptional customer service and allocating resources to optimize returns.” After a regular review, it was “determined that exploring the sale and transfer ...

Did Nelnet buy my student loans?

Does Nelnet own my student loan(s)? No, we do not own your federal student loans. We're servicing them on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

Who bought out Discover student loans?

Discover sells student loan portfolio to Carlyle, KKR for up to $10.8 billion.

Is Discover student loans private or federal?

Company Overview. Discover Bank is no longer accepting student loan applications. It had offered private student loans to students attending more than 2,400 colleges and universities.

Do Discover student loans go into your bank account?

Student loans are designed to help you cover qualified education expenses, like tuition, fees, and on-campus housing. After your school certifies the requested loan amount and your student loan funds are disbursed, they typically go straight to the school, who applies it to your account.

Will I be notified if my student loan is forgiven?

You'll be notified or see a $0 balance

From this point on, your days of making monthly student loan payments are over. That is, unless, only a portion of your debt is canceled. If you still owe a remaining balance, you will still continue to owe monthly payments.

Why has my student loan stopped?

If your salary drops below the salary threshold your payments will be stopped. They will only start again when you go over the salary threshold. Learn more about repaying if you're employed on the Student Loan Repayment website.

Why do my student loans say no payment due in 2024?

You don't get reported when you're in forbearance. During the on-ramp period (through Sept. 30, 2024), we automatically put your loan in a forbearance for the payments you missed. Here's what this means: Your account was no longer considered delinquent and was made current.

Why have my student loans disappeared?

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.

What is the lawsuit against Discover student loans?

Discover Bank to Pay $18.5 M for Illegal Student Loan Servicing Practices. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “Discover created student debt stress for borrowers by inflating their bills and misleading them about important benefits,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

Is Nelnet taking over Discover student loans?

In January, the company announced Nelnet would take over servicing of the loan portfolio as it continued to look for a purchaser. The following month, Capital One said it would acquire Discover for $35.3 billion, pending regulatory approvals.

Which student loans are automatically forgiven?

Any borrower with ED-held loans that have accumulated time in repayment of at least 20 or 25 years will see automatic forgiveness, even if the loans are not currently on an IDR plan. Borrowers with FFELP loans held by commercial lenders or Perkins loans not held by ED can benefit if they consolidate into Direct Loans.

What is the lawsuit against Nelnet?

It focuses on plans qualifying for adjustments in monthly payments based on income. Johansson and others contend that Nelnet systematically failed to process applications to modify payment terms and systematically failed to make requested adjustments for which borrowers qualified.

Are student loans transferring to Nelnet?

FedLoan (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency): The Department of Education is in the process of transferring all federal loans serviced by FedLoan to MOHELA, Aidvantage, Edfinancial Services and Nelnet. All borrowers who are pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness will be transferred to MOHELA.

How are Discover student loans disbursed?

When your loan funds are disbursed, they go to your school first to pay tuition, fees, and room and board. Any additional funds will be provided to you as a student loan refund to cover other education-related expenses.

Do student loans affect your credit?

Student loans are a type of installment loan, similar to a car loan, personal loan, or mortgage. They are part of your credit report, and can impact your payment history, length of your credit history and credit mix.

What happens to unused Pell Grant money after graduation?

After tuition, fees, food and housing, and any other education-related expenses are paid, any funds that are left over from the Pell Grant will be paid to the student unless they have directed the funds to be transferred to the following term. By law, the school must pay the remaining credit balance within 14 days.