Who do I contact about defaulted student loans?

Asked by: Emilio Ortiz  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (12 votes)

The myeddebt.ed.gov website helps student loan borrowers, who are in default, to arrange debt payments. There are multiple ways to contact the Default Resolution Group, or you may call 1-800-621-3115. For more information on defaulted student loans, see Understanding Delinquency and Default.

Can I get my defaulted student loans forgiven?

You can get your student loans out of default in one of three ways: loan rehabilitation, loan consolidation and paying them in full. Only rehabilitation and consolidation are eligible for loan forgiveness because paying your loans in full would leave no remaining debt.

How do I contact student loans in collections?

If you have a federal student loan, you must contact the collection agency that has been assigned to collect on the loan. If you don't know which collection agency your loan might have been assigned to, you can contact our Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115 for the agency's address and phone number.

Can you negotiate defaulted student loans?

If your loans are in default and you have a chunk of cash saved up, your lender might be willing to negotiate a settlement agreement with you. It's a good idea if you're behind on your debt and can pay off a good portion of it right away. The amount of money you may be able to save will vary according to your lender.

How do I dispute a defaulted student loan?

How to Resolve a Student Loan Dispute
  1. Start by contacting your student loan servicer or holder.
  2. Put your questions and concerns in writing.
  3. Know when to escalate the issue.
  4. File a federal complaint.

Student Loan Default - Everything You Need To Know About It

41 related questions found

Do student loans fall off after 7 years?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? Student loans don't go away after seven years. There is no program for loan forgiveness or cancellation after seven years. ... You'll still owe the debt until you pay it back, it's forgiven, or, in the case of private student loans, the statute of limitations runs out.

Can student loans be disputed after 7 years?

If the account information is accurate, you probably can't remove student loans from your credit report. Student loans that you have defaulted on or are delinquent on are going to stay on your credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date of the debt.

Can student loans go to collections?

A student loan won't go to collections until it has entered default. Once your loans enter default, the entire balance becomes due, also called acceleration. The lender will then send your student loan to a collection agency, where they will begin attempts to get repayment from you.

Is nelnet a federal loan?

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.

Does paying off student loans help credit score?

Paying off the loan in full looks good on your credit history, but it may not have a dramatic impact on your credit score. ... Your positive payment history on the account will remain part of your credit report for up to 10 years and will thus have some positive impact on your credit for years to come.

How do I get rid of student loans in collections?

How to get private student loans out of collections
  1. Dispute the debt.
  2. Settle your debt.
  3. Pay the amount owed.
  4. Consolidate or rehabilitate your loans.
  5. Declare bankruptcy.

How do I find out if I still owe student loans?

To find your current federal student loan balance, you can use the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), a database run by the Department of Education. When you enroll into a college or university, the school's administration will send your loan information to the NSLDS.

How Long Can student loans be in collections?

The time limits on how long private student lenders can try to collect vary by state, but are usually about six years after default. You should contact an attorney in your state to find out more about time limits (also called statutes of limitations). Private lenders will often hire collection agencies.

What happens if your student loan goes into default?

Consequences of Default

The entire unpaid balance of your loan and any interest you owe becomes immediately due (this is called "acceleration"). You can no longer receive deferment or forbearance, and you lose eligibility for other benefits, such as the ability to choose a repayment plan.

Can you get financial aid if you have loans in default?

You can't get FAFSA if you have defaulted student loans. You'll first need to get your student loans out of default to regain eligibility for federal student aid. To get approved for financial aid, you'll need to get your student loans out of default first.

Can a credit repair company remove student loans?

Credit repair is a service offered by numerous companies and is the process of fixing inaccurate credit history reports that appear on your credit report. Credit repair can't remove student loans that are correct on your credit report. You can dispute errors on your credit report for free.

What happened to Nelnet?

Due to the government's new Next Gen Business Process Operations initiative, Great Lakes and its parent company Nelnet will no longer service federal student loans after December 2020. If Great Lakes is your current loan servicer, The Department of Education will assign you a new loan servicer.

Is Navient and Nelnet the same?

Federal student loan servicers, such as Nelnet and Navient Corp., are companies that collect payments, respond to customer service inquiries and perform other administrative tasks on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Nelnet still a loan servicer?

Nelnet will continue servicing federal student loans through Dec. ... The Lincoln-based financial services company revealed Monday in a securities filing that the U.S. Department of Education has extended its loan servicing contract until Dec. 14, 2023.

What happens if you don't pay off student loans?

Let your lender know if you may have problems repaying your student loan. Failing to pay your student loan within 90 days classifies the debt as delinquent, which means your credit rating will take a hit. After 270 days, the student loan is in default and may then be transferred to a collection agency to recover.

How long does student loan default stay on credit report?

If the loan is paid in full, the default will remain on your credit report for seven years following the final payment date, but your report will reflect a zero balance. If you rehabilitate your loan, the default will be removed from your credit report.

Do student loans expire after 20 years?

Any outstanding balance on your loan will be forgiven if you haven't repaid your loan in full after 20 years or 25 years, depending on when you received your first loans. You may have to pay income tax on any amount that is forgiven.

Are student loans forgiven after 65?

The federal government doesn't forgive student loans at age 50, 65, or when borrowers retire and start drawing Social Security benefits. So, for example, you'll still owe Parent PLUS Loans, FFEL Loans, and Direct Loans after you retire.

Are student loans forgiven after 25 years?

Loan Forgiveness

The maximum repayment period is 25 years. After 25 years, any remaining debt will be discharged (forgiven). Under current law, the amount of debt discharged is treated as taxable income, so you will have to pay income taxes 25 years from now on the amount discharged that year.

How long before a student loan is written off?

In theory the loan system is simple. Graduates pay back what they owe, plus interest, out of the income they earn above a certain threshold. Anything that is not repaid within 30 years is written off.