More than a million borrowers who were defrauded by for-profit schools have had billions of dollars in federal student loans eliminated through a government aid program. But people with private loans have generally been excluded from any relief — until recently. Navient, a large owner of private student loan debt, has created, but not publicized, a program that allows borrowers to apply to have their loans forgiven. Navient, based in Wilmington, Del., has not publicized the discharge program that helped Ms. Maynard. When asked about the program and the criticisms, a company spokesman said, “Borrowers may contact us at any time, and our advocates can assist.”

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Persons: jubilantly, “, ”, Danielle Maynard, Maynard Organizations: New England Institute of Art Locations: Brookline , Mass, Wilmington, Del