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☆ Education Department Extends Deadline to Consolidate Loans for Forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Stacy Cowley | More About Stacy Cowley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

More than two weeks after a deadline passed for federal loan borrowers seeking debt relief, the Education Department has extended the offer, giving millions of borrowers a fresh shot at aid. The department said on Wednesday that borrowers would now have until June 30 to consolidate commercially held education debt under the Federal Family Education Loan Program — loans originally from private lenders — or Perkins loans into new direct loans, which are held by the Education Department. “The department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they’ve rightfully earned toward forgiveness,” said James Kvaal, the under secretary of education. The move is part of the Biden administration’s effort to aggressively cancel education debts through longstanding relief programs and by easing bureaucratic barriers. One of the trickiest challenges has been reaching borrowers with loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, a lingering vestige of a previous federal student loan system.

Persons: ”, James Kvaal, Biden Organizations: Education Department, Federal Family Education, Federal Family Education Loan Program

☆ Student-loan borrowers just got 2 extra months to benefit from a temporary debt relief reform
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden's Education Department is giving student-loan borrowers more time to get closer to debt cancellation. On Wednesday, the Education Department announced that it's extending the deadline for borrowers to benefit from the one-time account adjustments. To receive the account adjustment automatically, borrowers must be in the federal direct loan program or have federally held loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program. "FFEL borrowers should consolidate as soon as possible in order to receive this benefit that has already provided forgiveness to nearly 1 million borrowers." Since the adjustments began, according to the department, 996,000 borrowers have received $49.2 billion in debt relief.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education, Education Department, Public, Business, Family Education, Education, Federal, Aid Locations: PSLF

☆ Elizabeth Warren is asking a major student-loan company to cancel debt for borrowers with 'decades-old predatory private' loans. Here's how.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A major private student-loan company is leaving the servicing industry. But before that happens, a group of Democratic lawmakers want it to give some borrowers debt relief. On Wednesday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren led eight of her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter — first reviewed by Business Insider — to Navient's CEO David Yowan, requesting that the company cancel "decades-old predatory private student loans" using a consumer protection law established by the Federal Trade Commission. AdvertisementBut there might be an avenue to still get those borrowers debt cancellation. "Navient should stop making borrowers apply for relief and instead automatically cancel student debt using information the company already has about whether borrowers attended schools that would entitle them to relief," they wrote.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, David Yowan, Navient, Warren, Holder Organizations: Service, Democratic, Business, Federal Trade Commission, Family Education, Education Department, Minnesota Attorney Locations: Minnesota, MOHELA, Navient

☆ Thousands of student-loan borrowers are set to get emails from Biden that their balances are wiped out. Here's what happens next.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Student-loan borrowers, check your emails — you might find a message from President Joe Biden in your inbox telling you that your debt is canceled. Additionally, per the fact sheet, 7.5 million borrowers are enrolled in the SAVE plan, and 4.3 million of them have a $0 monthly payment. Here's what will happen next for borrowers who are, or hope to be, eligible for SAVE plan relief. Next steps for SAVE plan debt reliefBiden's email noted that the Education Department has already informed impacted borrowers' loan servicers that they are eligible for relief. Once negotiations conclude, the department will prepare proposed text on the borrowers it's seeking to include in this new relief plan.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, I've, they've, forbearance Organizations: Service, White House and Education Department, Business, Education Department, SAVE, Public, Family Education Locations: noreply@studentaid.gov

☆ Some student-loan borrowers have just 2 months left to benefit from temporary debt relief. Here's what they need to do.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Time is running out for some student-loan borrowers to benefit from a limited-time debt cancellation reform. AdvertisementBorrowers who will receive the account adjustment automatically must be in the federal direct loan program or the Federal Family Education Loan program with loans held by the Education Department. Other borrowers who have loans in the FFEL program that are commercially held would need to consolidate into the direct loan program to receive relief. AdvertisementAt the same time, the Education Department is in the process of crafting its second attempt at more expansive relief for borrowers. On February 22 and 23, it will meet with stakeholders for the fourth time to negotiate the text of debt relief under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Biden, Biden's Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Public, Business, Aid, Family Education, Education Department, Higher

☆ 2.7 million student-loan borrowers' accounts will be switched to a company that the Education Department previously punished for poor customer service
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

On Tuesday, Navient announced plans to outsource servicing of its private student-loan portfolio and commercially held loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program to MOHELA, one of the largest federal student-loan servicers. AdvertisementA Navient spokesperson told Insider this change will impact 2.7 million student-loan borrowers with loans currently owned and serviced by Navient. Outsourcing servicing responsibility to MOHELA could spark concern for some borrowers, given how the company has fared since federal student-loan payments resumed in the fall. In January, the department withheld varying amounts of pay from the remaining federal servicers for the same reason. It's unclear how soon Navient borrowers will begin communications with MOHELA.

Persons: —, Navient, David Yowan, MOHELA, Elizabeth Warren, John Remondi, Warren Organizations: Service, Family Education, Business, Navient, Outsourcing, Education Department, Democratic, MOHELA Locations: Sen

☆ How Biden's new student-loan forgiveness plan is trying to keep away some of the lawsuits that threatened the debt relief the first time around
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department is beginning its second round of negotiations for student-debt relief this week. AdvertisementAdvertisementPresident Joe Biden's Education Department is trying to ensure its second plan for student-debt relief can stand up against legal challenges. "This administration is taking another critical step to advance the President's goal of delivering debt relief to as many borrowers as possible. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Following the lead of Republican plaintiffs who filed suit in court, six Supreme Court justices wrongly blocked the President's first attempt of student debt relief," he said. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn September 2022, about a month after Biden announced his first broad relief plan, the Education Department updated its guidance to state that FFEL borrowers would no longer qualify for the relief.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Economic Mobility Robert Gordon, Biden Organizations: Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Education Department, Higher, Republican, Economic Mobility, Family Education, guaranty, Politico

☆ What happens to student-loan borrowers who miss payments starting next month
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Federal student-loan payments are starting up again beginning next week. AdvertisementAdvertisementMillions of student-loan borrowers are about to face another monthly bill — and they might not be able to afford it. On October 1, borrowers will begin receiving bills for their federal student-loan payments. Here's what borrowers should be aware of, along with the potential consequences of missing a payment starting next month. AdvertisementAdvertisementOn-ramp periodThe Education Department announced some temporary relief for borrowers if they find they cannot afford payments next month.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, servicer Organizations: Service, Education Department, Education, Perkins, Social, Higher Locations: COVID

☆ Biden's Education Department is taking the next step to get broad student-loan forgiveness to millions of borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department announced its latest step in the broad student-debt relief process. After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's first plan to cancel student debt broadly for borrowers using the HEROES Act of 2003, his Education Department announced it would be attempting relief using a different law: the Higher Education Act of 1965. "When the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden-Harris Administration's student debt relief plan, we did not waste a moment opening up a new pathway to debt relief," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. Since borrowers will not be entering repayment with broad relief, the department also announced a 12-month "on-ramp" period during which missed payments will not be reported to credit agencies, but interest will still accrue during that time. However, while the department is moving forward with the broad debt relief process, its future is uncertain due to conservative opposition — and potential legal challenges that could once again halt relief for borrowers.

Persons: Joe Biden, Harris, Miguel Cardona Organizations: Education Department, Service, Higher, Biden, Loan, Black Colleges, Universities, Federal Family Education Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Over 800,000 student-loan borrowers are getting their debt wiped out in the coming months. Here's what other borrowers should know if they also want that relief.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department announced $39 billion in debt relief for over 800,000 borrowers. On Friday, President Joe Biden's Education Department announced that over 800,000 student-loan borrowers will receive $39 billion in debt relief in the coming months thanks to a one-time adjustment to accounts enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. Here's what borrowers should know if they want to benefit from the relief. How to make sure your loans qualifyThe account adjustment only applies to direct federal loans and FFEL loans held by the Education Department. How to get a refund if a borrower overpaysOnce a borrower reaches the repayment threshold, they automatically qualify for forgiveness.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Education Department —, you'll Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Family Education, Federal Student Aid Locations: Wall, Silicon, PAYE

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