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Olivier Douliery | Afp | Getty ImagesAmberlee McGaughey, a librarian in Pennsylvania, was not worried about the restart of student loan payments. In August, she applied for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program with her loan servicer, MOHELA, or the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. Around 7% of student loan borrowers are now more than $100,000 in debt. "The government has made all these announcements, and it's really confusing to people," said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. Her original student loan bill of $483, which was listed as due on Oct. 20, wasn't affordable for her.

Persons: Miguel Cardona, Kamala Harris, Olivier Douliery, she's, MOHELA, couldn't, Ella Azoulay, Carolina Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Scott Buchanan, Joe Biden, he'd, didn't, Biden, servicers, Braxton Brewington, Sarah Cluff, Sarah Cluff Still, servicer, Cluff, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Nelnet, Joe Popevis, NelNet, Popevis, Servicers, Brewington, Amberlee, Jane Fox, Fox, Buchanan, Rocky, they'll Organizations: Washington , D.C, Afp, Getty, Public, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, CNBC, Finance, Biden, Student, Protection, Carolina, Education, Consumer, Student Loan, Alliance, U.S . Department of Education, Valuable Education, Education Department, MOHELA, SAVE, Legal, Association of Legal Locations: Washington ,, Pennsylvania, Missouri, U.S, New York, servicers

☆ 305,000 student-loan borrowers got the wrong billing information from their servicer and 'will not have payments due until these mistakes are fixed,' Biden's Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Education Department confirmed 305,000 student-loan borrowers had payment errors. AdvertisementAdvertisementThousands of student-loan borrowers have faced issues with their payments as they started footing another monthly bill once again. President Joe Biden's Education Department confirmed to Insider on Friday that about 305,000 borrowers have received inaccurate monthly payments from their servicer — less than 1% of the 28 million borrowers entering repayment. After over three years, the student-loan payment pause ended in September when interest started accruing again on federal borrowers' balances. Some borrowers have reported inaccurate bills under the new SAVE income-driven repayment plan, which the Education Department rolled out over the summer to give borrowers more affordable monthly payments.

Persons: servicers, —, Joe Biden's, Ann Currie, Currie, I'm, Miguel Cardona Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Department, Bills, Biden, Education

☆ Meet a single mom with $60,000 in student debt who was billed over $100 more than she was told her monthly payment would be: 'I will be struggling if I made that payment'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The new SAVE income-driven repayment plan was intended to make borrowers' monthly payments cheaper. But many borrowers have faced errors with the plan and their payments are higher than what they can afford. "I do want to pay something, but I'm not able to pay that amount that they're requiring me to pay." When the Education Department officially rolled out the SAVE plan in August, it was coined as "the most affordable repayment plan yet." When she applied for the SAVE plan, she was told her monthly payment would be $125 a month, but when she got her billing statement, she was facing a $428 payment, according to documents reviewed by Insider.

Persons: —, Ann Currie, Currie, Joe Biden's, I'm, servicers, she's, Joanna Arbach, hasn't, Arbach, it's, They've Organizations: Service, Education Department, SAVE, Federal Student Aid Locations: Washington

☆ Student loan borrowers hit snags as payments resume: 'It's a challenging environment,' head of loan servicer group says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"These student loan borrowers had the reasonable expectation and belief that they would not have to make additional payments on their federal student loans," said Education Department Undersecretary James Kvaal said in a court filing last year. Former President Donald Trump first announced the stay on federal student loan bills and the accrual of interest in March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. and crippled the economy. New SAVE payment plan leads to billing errorsTo ease the transition for borrowers, the Biden administration worked quickly to implement a new payment plan option, which it describes as the "most affordable repayment plan ever." Yet many borrowers who've signed up for the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan, complain they've gotten incorrect bills. According to Kantrowitz, student loan servicers seem, in some cases, to be using the 2022 poverty line to calculate borrowers' payments instead of the current 2023 figure.

Persons: Joe Biden's, James Kvaal, Kvaal, Donald Trump, Biden, who've, they've, Mark Kantrowitz, he's, Kantrowitz, servicers, Ella Azoulay, Buchanan Organizations: Creatas, Getty, U.S . Department, Valuable Education, U.S . Department of Education Locations: U.S

Our experts answer readers' student loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess student loans). AdvertisementAdvertisementAs of October 2023, student loans payments are back, but there are options if you can't afford them. As of October 2023, monthly payments are once again due on federal student loans after being paused since March 2020. Fortunately, there are solutions for people who can't afford student loan payments now. Borrowers who don't want to pay the payment on a standard 10-year repayment plan should look into income-driven repayment plans (including Biden's new SAVE repayment plan).

Persons: —, Jared Costigan, Costigan, Robert Farrington, Farrington, Danny Cieniewicz, you'll, Kantrowitz, Ben Markley Organizations: Service, White, The College Investor, Hyperion, Public, More College Financial

☆ A millennial paid off his $18,000 student debt load. 4 months later, the payment still hasn't processed and his balance is even bigger.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Xiong Chang made an $18,000 payment on his remaining student-loan balance in June. But it hasn't been processed yet, and his balance has grown due to interest. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But it's been over four months since he made that payment, and it still is not reflected in his account. According to his account, his balance now stands at $19,019.44 — with $96 in accrued interest.

Persons: Xiong Chang, He's, —, it's, Xiong, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal, I've, MOHELA Organizations: Service, Education, Consumer Financial, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Republicans

☆ Do not make student-loan payments if you're in one of these 3 groups of borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementStudent-loan payments have resumed, but not all federal borrowers should be making payments. However, it's in some borrowers' best interests to not make payments — even if their servicer has given them a billing statement. While borrowers can submit those claims individually, the Education Department has also announced relief for groups of defrauded borrowers without them needing to take any action themselves. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf borrowers received notice of relief but are still in repayment status, they can contact their servicer, or Federal Student Aid's ombudsman. However, interest will still accrue during that time, and the Education Department cannot control how credit scoring companies interpret the missed payments.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, servicers Organizations: Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Education Department, Corinthian Colleges Locations: it's, Cardona

☆ Student-loan companies are asking for patience to resolve account errors as payments come due, but borrowers can't afford to wait
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementAlicia, 48, is just a few months away from qualifying for student-debt relief through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. She said she anticipated that once the student-loan payment pause ended, she would be facing the same monthly payment. After over three years, the pandemic student-loan payment pause is officially over — interest started to accrue again in September, and bills are now starting to become due. So we can't wait months and months and months." Are you having challenges with student-loan repayment?

Persons: servicers haven't, —, Alicia, Alicia —, I've, servicers, it's, it'll, they're, We're, Xiong Chang, Xiong, I'm, servicer, he's, Miguel Cardona Organizations: Service, Public, Education Department, Customer Service Locations: PSLF

Our experts answer readers' student loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess student loans). Customer service is also available 24/7 for Navy Federal student loans, a perk unmatched by many similar companies in the industry. How Navy Federal student loans workNavy Federal offers both fixed-rate and variable-rate undergraduate and graduate loans. Warning: Go after federal student loan options before looking at private student loans, including a Navy Federal loan, as you'll get better terms and protections through the government. What options do I have to repay my Navy Federal student loans?

Persons: Mae, Sallie Mae, Q, You'll, you'll Organizations: Federal, Navy Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal, Federal Credit Union Discover Bank, FDIC, Discover, cosigners, Better, Bureau, BBB

☆ Student-loan borrowers struggling with repayment should not be required to pay their debt until their account issues are resolved, 19 state attorneys general say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Pandemic relief for student-loan borrowers is officially over. State attorneys general said those borrowers shouldn't have to make payments until the issues are fixed. AdvertisementAdvertisementA group of state attorneys general don't think student-loan borrowers should have to pay off their loans while struggling to get issues with their balances resolved. Interest also started building on balances in September due to the debt ceiling bill Biden signed into law in June that codified the end of the student-loan payment pause. Over the past few months, borrowers have increasingly been struggling with their servicers as they began to prepare for repayment.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Miguel Cardona, servicers, Biden, Education James Kvaal, MOHELA Organizations: Service, Education, Student Aid, Democratic, The Education Department

☆ Federal student loan payments are due for the first time since 2020—what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

October has arrived and with it, the resumption of federal student loan payments. Your exact due date depends on your loan servicer. Your payment may be due later if you graduated recently, but you'll still want to check with your loan servicer. Log in to the Federal Student Aid website to find your servicer if you're not sure who it is. An ideal time for borrowers to resume paying back their student debt may not exist, but federal borrowers do have resources at their disposal to make returning to repayment as seamless as possible.

Persons: Donald Trump, you'll, servicers, Biden Organizations: Federal, Aid

☆ All the ways student-loan borrowers can get help on their monthly payments — and new relief to look out for next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementPandemic relief for student-loan borrowers is officially over. While pandemic relief is over, the Education Department has put forth a series of plans to help borrowers afford their monthly payments — including temporary safeguards should they miss a payment. On-ramp periodIf a borrower finds they cannot afford their monthly payments, they can make use of the 12-month "on-ramp" period beginning in October. AdvertisementAdvertisementOther forms of relief to comeAside from repayment, the Education Department is working through other regulations, including targeted relief, for student-loan borrowers. It could also run into legal challenges, and not everyone who qualified for Biden's first debt relief plan is guaranteed to qualify now.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Service, Education Department, Federal, Higher Locations: COVID

☆ PCE: Gas prices heated up inflation last month, but there's also welcome progress for the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Minneapolis CNN —Higher gas prices heated up overall inflation last month, but the Federal Reserve got some welcome news: Its preferred inflation gauge cooled to its lowest level in two years. The core Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a closely watched inflation measure that excludes gas and food prices, rose 3.9% for the 12 months ended in August. However, it also was largely expected: Gas prices heated up last month as well. The Commerce Department’s monthly Personal Income and Outlays reports are typically closely watched as they provide a comprehensive account of pricing, income and spending data. Other federal data at risk for delays could include key housing and auto sales data, Census Bureau data, PCE and GDP reports, among others.

Persons: ” Andrew Patterson, ” Patterson, ” Dana Peterson, “ That’s, ”, that’s, Price, Security Administration’s, “ We’ve, ” Vanguard’s Patterson, “ Organizations: Minneapolis CNN —, Federal Reserve, Commerce Department, Vanguard, CNN, Energy, “ Energy, Consumers, Commerce, Conference Board, Labor, Department, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Price, Security, Adjustment, Labor Department Locations: Minneapolis, Saudi Arabia, Russia

Our experts answer readers' student loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess student loans). After a three-year pause on payments due to the pandemic, student loan payments are scheduled to resume October 1 . For many, adding student loan payments to a long list of expenses might be a struggle. Understand how student loans will fit into your financesDon't just guess whether you can afford the expense — student loan payments will require you to redo your budget. What to do about private student loansIf you owe private student loans , this might be a bit trickier.

Organizations: Consumer Financial, Social, SAVE, Federal

☆ Student loan payments are about to drain $8 billion a month from consumers, and spending will start contracting early next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The resumption of student loan repayments will amount to $5.5 billion-$8.2 billion per month, Fitch said. Fitch also predicted student loan delinquency rates will quickly reach pre-pandemic levels or above. AdvertisementAdvertisementStudent loan payments resume next month, draining billions of dollars a month from consumers, who will start pulling back sharply on spending, Fitch Ratings forecast in a Wednesday report. "Debt service is expected to trend higher in the coming quarters as student loan payments resume and higher financing costs take hold for much longer." AdvertisementAdvertisementIn early August, US credit card debt topped $1 trillion for the first time — though credit spending growth has begun slowing, it has maintained levels that are about double pre-pandemic averages.

Persons: Fitch, —, Biden, Olu Sonola Organizations: Service, Fitch, Federal

☆ 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

The short answer is that, yes, it is possible to get a grant to help you pay off your student loan debt. Citizens Bank Student Loan Refinancing is one of many strong options for student loan refinancing, particularly because the company allows you to refinance up to $300,000 and to apply with a co-signer. Bottom lineGetting a grant or some other form of loan forgiveness can make a huge difference in your student loan management journey. Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of student loan refinance products. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best student loan refinance companies.

Persons: Harris, refinanced Organizations: Education Data, Biden, CNBC, Citizens Bank Student, Citizens Bank, Loan, Federal Reserve Bank of New, AK, IL, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter Locations: California, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, MN, NH, OH, TN, TX

☆ 260,000 student-loan borrowers who were approved for debt relief might be pushed back into repayment anyway, a legacy advocacy group says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Student-loan borrowers who were part of a 2022 settlement are still waiting for their relief to be processed. A legal advocacy group said a student-loan company is not carrying out the settlement terms correctly. It said some borrowers within the settlement were told they have to resume payments in October. The group said that forcing borrowers with pending borrower defense claims back into repayment "violates the court-approved Settlement Agreement and applicable regulations." The federal pause on student-loan payment ended on September 1 when interest began accruing again on borrowers' balances.

Persons: They're, Cardona —, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden's, it's, MOHELA, Scott Giles, servicers, Cardona, Virginia Foxx, Sen, Bill Cassidy —, —, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Secretary Miguel Cardona Organizations: Service, Education Department, Donald Trump's Education Department, Department, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Democratic, New, Secretary, Public, The Education Department Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York, Sweet v, New Jersey

☆ Student-loan borrowers eligible for debt cancellation might be 'forced back into repayment' anyway because of their servicer's poor customer service, 6 Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Six Democratic lawmakers requested the Education Department look into student-loan company MOHELA. They said they're concerned with paperwork delays that could force borrowers who qualify for PSLF relief back into repayment. Federal student-loan payments are resuming on October 1. "With the restart of repayments, these issues are likely to worsen for borrowers," the lawmakers said in the letter. "Borrowers who are eligible to have their debt cancelled under the PSLF program should not be forced back into repayment due solely to MOHELA's processing delays, which cause difficult financial situations for so many borrowers.

Persons: MOHELA, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Secretary Miguel Cardona, they've, Angus King, Alex Padilla, Ed Markey, Cory Booker, Cardona, Katie Porter, Joe Courtney, Scott Giles, that's, Scott Buchanan, servicers — Organizations: Democratic, Education Department, Federal, Service, Secretary, Public, MOHELA, Department, Student Loan, — Locations: Wall, Silicon, New Jersey, PSLF, Sens

☆ 1,200 student-loan borrowers are getting $37 million in debt wiped out after being 'brazenly deceived' by the University of Phoenix, Biden's Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

1,200 student-loan borrowers who attended University of Phoenix are getting $37 million in debt relief. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden's Education Department and Federal Trade Commission announced that 1,200 borrowers who attended University of Phoenix will be getting $37 million in debt relief. Phoenix students who were enrolled between September 21, 2012, and December 31, 2014, and submitted claims, are included in this batch. The Education Department said it will begin notifying borrowers in early October that their borrower defense claims have been approved. Over the past months, the Education Department has taken a series of actions to assist defrauded borrowers.

Persons: Joe Biden's, University of Phoenix brazenly, Richard Cordray, Ashford Organizations: University of Phoenix, Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Federal Trade Commission, Phoenix, Aid, FTC, University, Ashford University, San Locations: Phoenix, Wall, Silicon, San Diego

☆ Jhumpa Lahiri and Me
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Vauhini Vara | More About Vauhini Vara | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Yet lately it has occurred to me that Lahiri came of age in circumstances very different from mine or Sathian’s. In an essay Lahiri later wrote about the state, she said that her family “didn’t fundamentally belong” there, recounting that her mother once received nine pieces of racist hate mail while working at the elementary school Lahiri had attended. By the 2000 census — the year Lahiri won her Pulitzer — the number of Indian immigrants in the United States had increased 20-fold since 1970. In my mid-20s, after that conversation with Jenny, I decided to write about Indian Americans again. I also started writing the stories that appear in my new collection, “This Is Salvaged,” featuring Indian Americans in multicultural communities.

Persons: Lahiri, forbearance, Jeff Bezos, Satya Nadella, Jenny, King Rao, ” Organizations: Indian, Microsoft Locations: Rhode, United States, Rhode Island, Saskatchewan, Canada, Seattle, Bellevue, Mall, American, Panamanian, India, —

☆ Why a single mom is stuck paying her ex husband's student debt — and needs his permission to make any changes to her payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Biden signed into law a bill allowing student-loan borrowers who combined balances with a spouse to separate their loans. They wouldn't owe payments, and if approved for administrative forbearance, their interest rates would be set to zero. Brigid, a 55-year-old borrower with spousal loans, told Insider she's experienced a similar dilemma. However, because of the strict nature of spousal loans, she would also have to meet the hardship requirements by, for example, also having cancer in order to receive the deferment. But she's been unable to receive administrative forbearance, and she's frustrated borrowers with spousal loans are blocked from opportunities federal borrowers are receiving.

Persons: Biden, Theresa, she's, Theresa —, —, Sen, Mark Warner, David Price, Joe Biden, Price, it's, That's, hasn't, servicer, Brigid, servicers, It's, they'll, Elizabeth Organizations: Service, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Group, Family Education, forbearance Locations: Wall, Silicon, forbearance

☆ 'My face hurt from smiling': After 20 years, this artist got $60,000 in student loan debt forgiven
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Wendee Goles Courtesy: Wendy GolesIn July, Wendee Goles saw headlines that the Biden administration planned to cancel the student loans of more than 800,000 people. The Biden administration announced this summer that it would automatically forgive $39 billion in federal student debt for hundreds of thousands of borrowers. Wendee Goles artistWhenever Goles found herself with extra cash, she threw it at her student debt. And so her student debt led to medical debt. Although it was hard to believe at first, she's finally coming around to the idea that she doesn't have student debt any more.

Persons: Wendee, Wendy Goles, Wendee Goles, Biden, didn't, Goles, Joe Biden's, It'll, Greg, I'm, Jobs, she's Organizations: School, The Art Institute of Chicago, Supreme Locations: Villa Park , Illinois, forbearance

☆ How to Pay Off Your Student Loans Fast
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Rebecca Safier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

5 strategies to pay off your student loans ahead of scheduleMore than half of students take out student loans to pay for college, with the average debt load upon graduation totaling nearly $30,000. Be cautious about refinancing federal student loans: Doing so means sacrificing federal repayment plans and other protections. Pay off interest during school and your grace periodInterest starts accruing on most student loans, such as federal unsubsidized loans and private student loans, from the day they are paid out (known as the disbursement date), usually at the beginning of each semester. Pursue student loan forgiveness and assistanceIf you’re open to switching jobs, consider pursuing a role that would make you eligible for student loan forgiveness or assistance. If you have federal student loans, you may need to set up autopay again before the payment pause ends in October.

Persons: Rebecca Safier, you’d, “, ”, Karen McCarthy, Let’s, you’ll, Biden, Michael Lux, Joe DePaulo, McCarthy, autopay, forbearance, It’s, you’ve, Jan Miller Organizations: National Association of Student Financial, Public, Student Loan Sherpa, College Ave

☆ Student loan interest resumes. Here’s what borrowers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Undergraduate subsidized student loans should not start racking up interest until after you've graduated and finished your six-month grace period. watch nowThe interest on undergraduate subsidized loans is usually suspended while you pursue more schooling. You can contact your loan servicer or visit StudentAid.gov to learn your loan type, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit2. Recent graduatesMost graduates get a so-called grace period after they've finished school before they need to start making their student loan payments. If you're unemployed when student loan payments resume, you can request an unemployment deferment with your servicer.

Persons: Drazen Zigic, Kantrowitz, you've, they've, Betsy Mayotte Organizations: Istock, Getty, The, Student Loan Advisors

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