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As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, many student loan lenders are stepping in to help support customers during this unprecedented time.
If you need relief, we’ve compiled a list of major federal student loan servicers and private student loan lenders along with any assistance efforts and eligibility requirements they’ve laid out. Look for your lender on the list below.
Federal student loan servicers
- CornerStone
- ECSI
- EdFinancial Services
- FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)
- Granite State (GSM&R)
- Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
- MOHELA
- Navient
- Nelnet
- OSLA Student Loan Servicing
Federal student loan servicers
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act — which is meant to provide emergency public health and economic assistance — was signed into law.
Under the CARES Act, all principal and interest payments on federally held student loans was automatically suspended through Sept. 30, 2020. The reprieve was extended by President Donald Trump and, later, by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive action that extended the pause on federal student loan payments through Sept. 30, 2021. If you’re participating in a student loan forgiveness program, suspended payments will count toward the program.
Privately held student loans — including Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFEL, loans held by commercial lenders and Perkins Loans held by academic institutions — are ineligible for relief under the CARES Act.
Additional details about these relief efforts and how these changes may impact you should be available on Federal Student Aid’s coronavirus information page, so check it for updates.
Federal student loan servicers will process changes under the CARES Act automatically. You don’t need to contact your servicer to receive payment assistance. But note that your loan servicer’s website might not be updated with these changes yet, and it may take some time for your account to reflect the suspension of payments.
If you have additional questions about your account, here’s information for a number of loan servicers that may help.
CornerStone
What it’s offering: Like all federal loan servicers, CornerStone will be processing the suspension of student loan payments under the CARES Act. If you have questions about your account, you may contact CornerStone via live chat or by phone at 1-800-663-1662 or 1-844-255-8326, if you’re a service member.
ECSI
What it’s offering: Like all federal student loan servicers, ECSI will be processing payment suspensions on its federal student loan accounts. If you have questions about your account, you can contact the company at 1-866-313-3797.
EdFinancial Services
What it’s offering: EdFinancial Services has a COVID-19 information page that explains what the company is doing to help both its federal and private student loan customers. If you have questions, you may contact EdFinancial Services at 1-855-337-6884.
If you have a private student loan with EdFinancial Services, the company may be able to help you lower your monthly payments. To get more information, you can log into your account online and select “Repayment Options” from the “Payments” menu; send an email; or call 1-855-337-6884.
FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)
What it’s offering: FedLoan Servicing says it’s working to enact all benefits provided by the CARES Act. This includes 0% interest and payment forbearance for federally backed student loans until Dec. 31, 2020. The company currently has limited access to call center locations and encourages customers to stay connected through email or the company’s website, mobile app or social channels.
Granite State (GSM&R)
What it’s offering: Granite State has a webpage that provides information about what the company is doing to service accounts during this national emergency. You’re encouraged to manage your account online as much as possible. If you have questions that can’t be handled online, you may call 1-888-556-0022.
Granite State is also offering deferments to customers with NHHELCO Tree, Leaf and EDvestinU loans who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. To apply, download and fill out the form for your loan type and either mail it to the appropriate address or upload it with the proper documentation through Manage My Account.
Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc.
What it’s offering: Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc. has a coronavirus information page that provides details about the CARES Act and the suspension of payments and interest accrual on all federally held student loans until Dec. 31, 2020 If you have questions about your account, you can call 1-800-236-4300 or complete an email form.
MOHELA
What it’s offering: Like other federal student loan servicers, MOHELA has suspended all interest and student loan payments until Dec. 31, 2020, because of the CARES Act. You can manage your account online at any time. If you have questions about your account that can’t be handled online, you can call 1-888-866-4532 — but expect longer-than-normal wait times.
Navient
What it’s offering: Navient has a web page summarizing the actions taken by the federal government and the payment relief options granted to federal student loan customers. If you have questions about your account, you can call 1-888-272-5543 or manage your account online.
Navient is also offering payment relief for those with Federal Family Education Loan Program loans owned by Navient. This program, which is available to qualified borrowers who request it on or after July 1, 2020, brings your eligible loans current and postpones payments for at least one full month. The lender is also offering an income-driven repayment plan or deferment of all payments for six months if you become unemployed. To learn more and discuss your options, call 1-888-272-5543.
Nelnet
What it’s offering: Nelnet has an information page that explains the suspension of payments and interest accrual on all federally held student loans through Dec. 31, 2020. If you have questions about your account, you can call 1-888-486-4722.
Note that under the CARES Act, loans owned by a bank, credit union or other lender are not eligible for suspension. But Nelnet says other options — such as economic hardship or unemployment deferment — are available if you’re in current repayment status.
OSLA Student Loan Servicing
What it’s offering: Like all federal student loan servicers, OSLA will be suspending all interest and principal payments through Dec. 31, 2020. If you have questions about your account, you can contact OSLA directly. You can find the appropriate contact information after logging into your account online.
Private student loan lenders
Private student loans are not eligible for the relief efforts announced by the federal government in March. Here’s how some private student loan lenders are helping people financially impacted by the coronavirus.
Citizens Bank
What it’s offering: Citizens Bank says borrowers financially affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for payment assistance for up to 90 days. If you need financial assistance, you’re asked to call 1-866-259-3767 or visit the Student Loan FAQ page for more information.
College Ave Student Loans
What it’s offering: If you can’t make your private student loan payment because of COVID-19, College Ave Student Loans will consider you for its disaster forbearance program. You can call 844-803-0736 to request assistance.
CommonBond
What it’s offering: CommonBond created an FAQ page to answer common questions related to the coronavirus. Because the pandemic has been declared a national emergency, CommonBond is offering national disaster forbearance assistance to its customers. Disaster forbearance works much like standard forbearance, but it lasts until the end of the national disaster declaration and doesn’t count toward standard forbearance you may be eligible for. You can apply for national disaster forbearance here.
Earnest
What it’s offering: Earnest is offering short-term coronavirus forbearance starting July 1. Qualified borrowers may be able to postpone their payments for at least one month. You can apply for relief here. If your request is approved, interest will continue to accrue on your account, but it won’t be added to the unpaid principal when your payments resume
Sallie Mae
What it’s offering: Sallie Mae says it has assistance options available, which may include forbearance. Customers experiencing financial difficulty because of the coronavirus are encouraged to contact the company online via chat or through the Sallie Mae app. You may also call 1-800-472-5543 if your account is current or 1-877-604-8834 if your account is past due.
SoFi
What it’s offering: If you’re a Sofi customer and are having trouble making your student loan payments, you may apply for a 60-day forbearance with an option to extend if necessary. To apply, log into your account and complete the required form. If you have questions or would like additional information, you’re encouraged to email customerservice@sofi.com or live chat with a representative at sofi.com
Other issuers
This list doesn’t cover every student loan lender, and yours might not be included. If you’re worried about student loan payment assistance and aren’t sure what your lender is doing to help, we recommend checking your lender’s website or calling its customer service number to discuss what it may be able to offer, such as interest rate reductions, deferred payments and forbearance options.
A word of caution
As lenders work to help borrowers who need financial assistance during this crisis, there are scammers out there who are trying to capitalize on the financial hardship many people are currently experiencing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, warns borrowers to watch out for anyone who …
- Asks for money upfront to provide payment assistance
- Promises immediate loan forgiveness
- Asks you to sign a third-party authorization or power of attorney, giving them permission to talk to your student loan servicer
- Requests your Federal Student Aid PIN
Legitimate loan servicers and lenders won’t do this. If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer, the CFPB encourages you to report them to the Federal Trade Commission’s Complaint Assistant.