Why is Discover selling their student loans?

Asked by: Zackary Greenfelder  |  Last update: February 8, 2025
Score: 5/5 (16 votes)

The student loan business has been a source of regulatory woes for Discover in recent years: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a consent order in 2015 alleging the company misstated minimum amounts due on billing statements for student loans, misstated tax information required for certain tax benefits and ...

Why is Discover closing student loans?

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 ...

Why do they keep selling my student loans?

Your loan may have been transferred for reasons like private loans getting sold, a contract ending with the federal government or signing up for other programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

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.

Did Firstmark take over Discover student loans?

07/25/2024 12:52 P.M. Discover Financial Services will sell a portfolio of private student loans to Carlyle and KKR for up to $10.8 billion, the credit card company announced last week. Firstmark Services, a division of Nelnet, will assume responsibility for servicing the portfolio upon the sale.

What Everyone's Getting Wrong About Student Loans

25 related questions found

What happened to my Discover student loan?

Discover is no longer servicing student loans. 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 is Discover selling student loans?

The student loan business has been a source of regulatory woes for Discover in recent years: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a consent order in 2015 alleging the company misstated minimum amounts due on billing statements for student loans, misstated tax information required for certain tax benefits and ...

What to do if I can't pay my Discover student loans?

It's in your best interest to take every step possible to avoid missing payments.
  1. Contact your student loan servicer. ...
  2. Look into federal student loan forgiveness. ...
  3. See if your employer will reimburse you for student loan payments. ...
  4. Reduce your expenses. ...
  5. Increase your income. ...
  6. Change your repayment plan.

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.

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.

Why have my student loans disappeared?

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.

Why you shouldn't rush to pay off student loans?

Getting ahead of your student loan debt is generally a smart move. But, if it meansavoiding higher-interest debt or delaying an important financial goal, paying your student loans off ahead of schedule may not be worth it in the long run.

What happens if my student loan is sold to another company?

The loan will be transferred—and your balance may go to $0

The balance will eventually appear in your account with your new servicer or lender, but it can take up to six weeks for everything to move over—including your full payment history.

Is Discover going away?

Hurd expects Capital One to continue operating both brands somewhat autonomously for some time. "Capital One probably won't alienate Discover's large customer base by discontinuing the Discover card brand," he said. Hurd does expect small changes to products after the acquisition.

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.

How do I cancel my Discover student loan?

There are only two ways to get rid of your student loans with Discover or to knock off some of the interest:
  1. Negotiate a settlement.
  2. File bankruptcy.

Is a Discover student loan good?

Discover student loans may be the product you want. With no fees, low interest rates, and forbearance options, Discover is a market leader in private student loans. But these loans aren't for easy money. Borrowers need an excellent credit score or a cosigner to get the loans.

What are the disadvantages of Sallie Mae?

Cons
  • Relatively high APR.
  • Sallie Mae sets repayment term length.
  • Credit check required.
  • Customer service unavailable on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Late payment fee.
  • No loan preapproval.

Can private student loans become federal?

Unfortunately, no. Because private student loans are not created by the federal government, they can't be forgiven like federal loans.

Why is Discover no longer accepting student loans?

Best Private Student Loans. Discover cited regulatory issues in announcing its decision to exit. As for current Discover Student Loans customers, they should follow the news closely and watch for any communication from Discover, says St. Louis-based higher education consultant Matt Newlin.

What happens if you never pay off your student loans?

If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to national credit reporting agencies. This reporting may damage your credit rating and future borrowing ability. Also, the government can collect on your loans by taking funds from your wages, tax refunds, and other government payments.

Who did Discover sell student loans to?

Discover sells student loan portfolio to Carlyle, KKR for up to $10.8 billion. A sign sits at the entrance of the Discover Financial Services corporate headquarters campus on February 19, 2024 in Riverwoods, Illinois.

Is Discover merging with Capital One?

(December 19, 2024) Capital One (NYSE: COF) announced today that it received approval from the Office of the Delaware State Bank Commissioner on December 18, 2024, to complete its previously announced acquisition of Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) and its subsidiary bank, Discover Bank, which is a Delaware- ...

Is it legal for my student loans to be sold?

It's not inherently illegal though. Contracts such as these have a lot of terms attached. Normally and usually, one of those terms are going to allow them to transfer the loan, much the same as often happens with mortgage loans.

How to lower interest rate on Discover student loans?

Paying off your loans early, enrolling in automatic payments, and avoiding late fees are some ways you can help lower your student loan costs. You may be eligible to receive repayment assistance from your employer or even loan forgiveness depending on your job.