Education Department to restart student loan collections

[UNITED STATES] The U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will resume collecting payments on defaulted federal student loans starting in the coming months. This decision comes after a temporary pause that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For millions of borrowers, this marks the end of a nearly three-year hiatus in repayment, leaving many to wonder how it will affect their financial situation moving forward.

The Return to Repayment: Key Dates and Implications

Starting in the fall of 2025, the Education Department will reinstate its efforts to collect on federal student loans that have been in default for an extended period. Borrowers who have not made payments on their loans for a significant time will face renewed efforts to recover the debt, which may include wage garnishments and tax refund offsets.

The decision to restart these collections follows the expiration of the COVID-19 emergency forbearance period, which paused interest accruals and collections on federal student loans for almost three years. This forbearance provided much-needed relief to borrowers during the height of the pandemic, but with the nation moving forward, the Education Department now seeks to restart repayment plans for those in default.

How the Resumption Affects Borrowers in Default

For those with federal student loans in default, the resumption of collections can be particularly concerning. However, experts suggest that there are important steps borrowers can take to navigate this transition:

Understand Default Status: A loan is typically considered in default if no payments have been made for 270 days or more. Borrowers are encouraged to check the status of their loans through the Department of Education’s online portal or contact their loan servicer.

Explore Loan Rehabilitation: Borrowers who are in default may be eligible for loan rehabilitation, which could help remove the default status from their credit report. Rehabilitation requires borrowers to make a series of voluntary payments, but it offers a pathway to restoring loan repayment terms and removing negative marks from their credit history.

Income-Driven Repayment Plans: For those who are struggling financially, income-driven repayment (IDR) plans may provide relief by basing monthly payments on income rather than loan balance. These plans can help borrowers manage their payments and potentially lower monthly amounts.

Loan Consolidation: Another option available is loan consolidation, which can combine multiple federal loans into one, often resulting in lower monthly payments. Consolidating defaulted loans may help borrowers regain eligibility for other forms of repayment assistance.

Financial and Credit Implications

While the resumption of collections on defaulted loans may provide a financial boost for the government, it could have significant consequences for borrowers, particularly those with large amounts of debt.

Wage Garnishment and Tax Refund Seizures: For borrowers who fail to address their default status, the Department of Education can resume wage garnishments, which could take up to 15% of a borrower’s disposable income. Additionally, federal tax refunds could be intercepted to pay down the loan balance.

Credit Score Impact: Defaulting on a student loan has long-lasting effects on a borrower’s credit score. Those who do not take action to address their default status may face difficulty securing other forms of credit, including mortgages and car loans.

Government’s Role in Addressing the Student Loan Crisis

This move to resume collections comes as part of a broader effort by the federal government to address the student loan debt crisis, which currently stands at over $1.7 trillion in outstanding loans. While the Education Department has worked to provide various relief measures during the pandemic, including temporarily freezing payments and interest, critics argue that these efforts have not done enough to address the systemic issues with student loan debt.

Some policymakers have proposed more aggressive reforms, such as canceling portions of federal student loan debt or expanding debt forgiveness programs. However, such measures remain a point of political contention.

What Borrowers Should Do Now

For those with defaulted loans, the time to act is now. Experts advise borrowers to take the following actions to mitigate the impact of resumed collections:

Review Loan Details: Borrowers should check the status of their loans and assess their repayment options. The Education Department provides several online tools to help borrowers better understand their situation.

Contact a Loan Servicer: If borrowers are uncertain about their loan status, contacting their servicer is a critical step. Loan servicers can provide insight into available options, including rehabilitation and consolidation programs.

Seek Professional Guidance: For those who are uncertain about how to move forward, financial advisors or organizations specializing in student loan assistance may be able to provide expert advice and help borrowers explore all available options.

Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture

While the resumption of collections on defaulted student loans will undoubtedly affect millions of borrowers, it also underscores the larger issue of student debt in America. As the Department of Education works to reinstate loan payments, policymakers continue to debate the future of student loan forgiveness and reforms to the federal student loan system.

The ultimate goal remains to reduce the financial burden on borrowers, but for now, borrowers are urged to be proactive in addressing their defaulted loans. By doing so, they can avoid long-term financial consequences and take advantage of the available programs that can help them get back on track.

The Department of Education’s decision to resume collecting payments on defaulted federal student loans is a pivotal moment for millions of borrowers. While this may bring financial relief to the federal government, it also signals the need for borrowers to take action to manage their debt responsibly. With proper planning and awareness of available options, borrowers can navigate the transition back to repayment with greater confidence.