Student Loan Advocate (SLA)

SLA: Assisting student loan borrowers in Washington

The Student Loan Advocate collaborates with other state agencies to support current and future student loan borrowers in Washington State by:

Addressing student borrowers' questions and complaints.
Providing borrowers information and resources about student loans.
Educating the public about the rights and responsibilities of student loan borrowers.

Upcoming Webinars

Federal Student Loan Updates

Do you want to learn what is happening in the world of student loans right now? Do you have questions about the SAVE lawsuit and how it impacts your eligibility for forgiveness? In this webinar, you will get an overview of updates to federal student loan programs, including:

The end of the "on-ramp" period on September 30, 2024.
The end of the Fresh Start program to get out of default on September 30, 2024.
SAVE litigation and options to remain eligible for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) or Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Overview of new Federal Student Loan Debt Relief.

Date: September 18, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm (1 hour presentation followed by 30 minutes Q&A)

If you’re unable to attend, we will post a video recording, presentation slides, and transcript here following the webinar.

Presenters:
Jessica M. Manfredi (she/her), Student Loan Advocate
Amber Hay (she/her), PSLF Advocate

Past Webinars

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Q&A Session

Do you have lingering questions about the PSLF program? Are you confused about PSLF eligibility requirements? Are you unsure about how to start the PSLF process?

Join us for our new, open PSLF Q&A session where we will be answering your most burning questions about the program, live! We’ll start by addressing some of the most common PSLF questions, followed by live questions from attendees.

You may also access the presentation slides and transcript.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): New Regulations and Limited-Time Opportunities

Have you heard about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, but are not sure if you qualify? Do you want to know whether the new PSLF regulations could benefit you? In this webinar, you will get an overview of the PSLF program, including:

Whether you may benefit from consolidating your loans before the new deadline, June 30, 2024, for the IDR Payment Adjustment.
The new PSLF regulations that went into effect on July 1, 2023.
IDR Payment Adjustment and how it may help you get PSLF credit for certain periods of forbearance, deferment, ineligible loans, or ineligible repayment plans.
Steps to apply and stay eligible for PSLF.

You may also access the presentation slides and transcript.

Understanding the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Payment Adjustment

Last year, the Department of Education began implementing the IDR Payment Adjustment, leading to 18,350 Washingtonians being identified for forgiveness as of early November 2023. Between now and July 2024, more borrowers will continue to be identified for forgiveness or get closer to achieving forgiveness due to this limited-time opportunity!

The IDR Payment Adjustment can provide substantial retroactive credit towards a borrower’s 10 to 25-year Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) term. Watch this webinar to learn how you can benefit from IDR plans and this limited-time initiative, including:

If you have never enrolled in an IDR plan before.
If you recently enrolled in an IDR plan.
If you are interested in learning how IDR plans may lead to student loan forgiveness.
If you are interested in learning more about Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans, including the new the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.
If you have FFEL or Perkins Loans, what steps you must take before April 30, 2024, to benefit.

You may also access the presentation slides and the transcript. For a quick overview of the IDR Payment Adjustment benefits and the steps you may need to take, check out our IDR Payment Count Adjustment Flyer.

Get Ready for Student Loan Repayment

Does the thought of restarting your federal student loan repayment on September 1, 2023, sound overwhelming to you? Are you confused by all the different repayment options available? Did you graduate during the payment pause and are not sure where to start with your student loans?

In this webinar, we discussed the steps you need to successfully navigate returning to student loan repayment. Watch our recorded webinar below lean more.

You may also access the presentation slides and transcript.

Stay Informed

Sign up for email updates from the Student Loan Advocate to receive info about future webinars and other important student loan announcements and news.

Contact the Student Loan Advocate

To ask questions about your loans (including PSLF and other types of forgiveness) or file a complaint, use the Washington State Student Complaint Portal.

Our Student Loan Advocate will be happy to help you.

Ask Washington's student loan advocate about:

Income-driven repayment (IDR).
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Delinquency and default.
Deferment and forbearance.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge.
Closed School discharge.
Consolidation.
Other student loan questions.

Announcements

A federal court blocked the U.S. Department of Education (ED) from implementing parts of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and other IDR plans. Here’s what it means for borrowers:
Forbearance: Borrowers enrolled in SAVE are being moved to a 0% interest forbearance while the case is decided. Borrowers will not need to make payments during the forbearance. The time in forbearance will not count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness or Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness. Learn what options you have to get PSLF or IDR credit during this time.
Online IDR and Consolidation Applications are temporarily unavailable. You may still complete both applications by submitting a PDF/paper application. Servicers have temporarily paused processing of IDR applications until ED can ensure applications are processed correctly. Borrowers should expect a lengthy delay in processing of applications.
Check out ED’s updates on the SAVE plan and Student Loan Borrower Q&A for additional information.
The U.S. Department of Education’s “on-ramp” period will end on September 30, 2024. From October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, missed, partial, or late payments will not lead to negative credit reporting, default, or loans being sent to collection agencies. Borrowers who can make payments should do so, as payments will be due and interest will accrue during this on-ramp period. Learn how to prepare for the return of student loan repayment.
Fresh Start program to get out of default will end on September 30, 2024. Fresh Start is a one-time temporary program from the U.S. Department of Education that offers special benefits for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans. Learn how you can get out of default with Fresh Start in 10 minutes or less.
This fall, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) aims to provide debt relief to certain borrowers. If you want to be included in potential student debt relief, you don’t need to take any action. ED is finalizing new regulations that include who may receive loan forgiveness. All borrowers who have at least one ED-held loan, regardless of the status of their loans, are receiving an email explaining this potential debt relief and how to opt out of it. ED is currently hoping to provide partial or full debt relief to borrowers in the following circumstances:
Borrowers who owe more than they did at the start of repayment.
Borrowers who first entered repayment many years ago (20-25 years, depending on the type of loans).
Borrowers who are otherwise eligible for loan forgiveness but have not yet applied.
Borrowers who enrolled in low-financial-value programs.

We’ll update this announcement section as more updates become available. Learn more about this student debt relief.

Looking for information about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? Visit WSAC's PSLF page to learn more about loan forgiveness for eligible government and nonprofit employees.

Common terms

Loan servicer. A loan servicer is a company that handles the billing and other services on your federal student loan.
Direct loans. A federal student loan borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education to attend a participating school.
Loan discharge. Cancellation of a borrower's obligation to repay all or a portion of the remaining principal and interest owed on a student loan.
Direct consolidation loans. When borrowers combine many loans into one new loan.
Discretionary income. The difference between your annual income and 150 percent of the poverty guideline for your family size and state of residence.

Income-driven repayment

Income-driven repayment (IDR)

Borrowers can base their monthly student loan payments on their income. Depending on loan eligibility, the loan payment could be anywhere from 10-20% of discretionary income. Low-income borrowers could have a monthly income-driven payment as low as $0.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Income-driven repayment plans.
StudentAid.gov: FAQs about IDR plans.
StudentAid.gov: Loan Simulator helps you determine which plan is best for you.

Loan forgiveness programs

Public service and debt forgiveness. Borrowers who have full-time public service jobs could be eligible for debt forgiveness if they do all of the following:

Work at least 30 hours per week for local, state, federal, or tribal government or nonprofit organizations.
Have Direct loans.
Are on an eligible income-driven repayment plan.
Make 120 on-time payments on their student loans.

Get more information

WSAC's Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Page.
StudentAid.gov: Learn more about qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
StudentAid.gov: Use this tool to determine eligibility for PSLF.
StudentAid.gov: Learn more about Perkins Loan cancellation.
StudentAid.gov: Applications for various types of forgiveness and cancellation.
StudentAid.gov: Learn about other types of loan cancellation and forgiveness.

Payment delinquency, default

Payment delinquency and default

Borrowers with delinquent payments can get back on track. Many borrowers fall behind on their student loan payments at some point. Borrowers who are currently behind on their loans, but have not yet defaulted, may be able to lower their monthly payments.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Understanding delinquency and default.
StudentAid.gov: Avoid default.

Borrowers can get out of default. Borrowers who have already defaulted on their loans still have options. They can get out of default and avoid having their wages garnished or tax refunds withheld. Visit these links below for more information.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Get out of default.
StudentAid.gov: Make sure to contact the right collection company.

Deferment and forbearance

Short break from making loan payments. Deferment and forbearance are good options for borrowers who need a break from making student loan payments. These options are best if used for a short period of time. Why? Interest continues to grow, which increases the amount borrowers must pay back.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Find out how to qualify for either.

Disability discharge

Total and permanent disability discharge (TPD)

Discharge student loans due to disability. Loan discharge may be an option for borrowers who are disabled and unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to their disability. Substantial gainful activity is a level of work performed for pay or profit that involves doing significant physical or mental activities, or a combination of both. Nelnet, a federal student loan servicing company, handles all TPD applications.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: TPD eligibility.
Nelnet: TPD 101.
Nelnet: Application process.
Social Security Administration: Substantial gainful activity guidelines.
Department of Veterans Affairs: Individual Unemployability for veterans guidelines.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: How to retrieve a VA disability rating letter.

Closed schools and loans

Class action lawsuit: Sweet v. Cardona. Sweet v. Cardona has reached a settlement and it has been finalized. For more information visit Sweet — Project on Predatory Student Lending (ppsl.org).

Discharge student loans due to school closure. Sometimes schools close before students can finish their credential. Students in this situation, who have also taken out loans to pay for their education at the closing school, may be able to get a closed school discharge. Borrowers can qualify if they were:

Unable to complete their education because their school closed.
Attending classes when their school closed.
On an approved leave of absence when their school closed, or if the school closed within 120 days after they withdrew.

Students who do not meet one of the above qualifications can still apply for loan forgiveness through a separate program called Borrower Defense to Repayment. Borrower defense is an application for loan cancellation for students whose school misled them or engaged in other misconduct in violation of certain state laws.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Closed School Discharge
StudentAid.gov: FAQs for ITT students
StudentAid.gov: For ITT students in Washington
StudentAid.gov: Borrower Defense to Repayment
Harvard Law School: Project on Predatory Student Debt

Consolidation

Combine many loans into one loan. There are trade-offs to consolidating federal student loans. This might make monthly payments simpler or more affordable. However, borrowers can also lose some benefits and consolidation may extend repayment time.

It’s easy to consolidate federal student loans online, and there is no fee or cost for borrowers. Borrowers should research their options before making a decision.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Learn about consolidation.
StudentLoans.gov: Direct Consolidation loan application.

Resources in other states

Other state resources

State Student Loan Ombuds programs.

Federal resources

About the student loan advocate

The student loan advocate has independent statutory authority to analyze and monitor laws and policies that impact student loan borrowers at the federal, state, and local level, and to make recommendations. The student loan advocate also works directly with loan borrowers to address complaints and help them navigate issues and identify resources.