What is a Direct Loan?
A Direct Loan means the money was borrowed Directly from the US Education Department (USED). No middleman. The loan will always be held by USED. When in good standing, a servicer helps USED collect by sending bills and offer affordable payment plans and/or forbearance and . . .
Read More
Covid-19 Stimulus Package Help Based on Student Loan Type
The stimulus package has lots of facets, including student loan protections. The question you might be asking is, “How will it help me, the student loan borrower?” The real question should be DOES it help you, the student loan borrower. Because guess what, the stimulus does not help all student loan . . .
Read More
Covid-19 Stimulus Package: Private Loans
What is a Private Student Loan?
A private student loan is a loan originated by any bank, credit union, or even a guarantee agency. It is NOT insured by the US Education Department (USED). And of course, it is not originated by USED. It’s no different than any other loan you would get from a bank, . . .
Read More
COVID-19 Update Video
If you'd like to read some specifics discussed in this video, please check out the blog for those with loans in good standing or the blog regarding defaulted loans. . . .
Read More
Covid-19 and Student Loans
Let's get right to the point. We're all at a place of flux, as are our finances. The main question, what do to with student loans now that there are things being suggested, ordered, and such. Let's clear the clutter and state exactly what is going on as of today - March 23, 2020.
Federal Loans . . .
Read More
Post-Election Chopping Block
Regardless of your emotional response to the election results, the question on your mind now is, "Now what?". Will student loan programs be axed? Will some be saved? The door is wide open to possibilities, but lets start with what the new President can and can't do. There are issues that are within . . .
Read More
ITT Loan Escape Plans
If you're an ITT student, or know one, you know that ITT is closed effective September 6, 2016. No matter how it went down, the question you want answered now is what to do about your student loans. The short answer is, I really don't know. What follows is my suggestions, as The Student Loan Lawyer. . . .
Read More
Under Pressure, Government Offers Corinthian College Student Loan Debt Relief
On June 8, 2015, the Department of Education (ED) announced forgiveness for students attending Corinthian Schools - the for-profit chain that recently fell like the house of cards that it was.
It all started in May 2104 when Corinthian missed a deadline to provide a number of requested documents . . .
Read More
Student Loan Bill of Rights
On March 10, 2015, President Obama introduced the Student Aid Bill of Rights; another executive action to deal with student loan debt. Read the official Memorandum.
Let's take a look at some of the details.
State-of-the-Art Complaint and Feedback System
The President is requesting a "simple . . .
Read More
IBR, ICR, PAYE, and IBR. Wait, what?
Dealing with Federal loans means understanding industrial acronyms. But what do you do when the same acronym means different things - or multiple acronyms mean almost the same thing. Does a letter really make a difference? You bet it does!
Today we'll discuss income driven plans - repayment based . . .
Read More