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

None at this time.

Past Webinars

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Overview and Updates

Have you heard about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, but are not sure if you qualify? Do you want to learn more about how other student loan changes and updates impact PSLF?

In this webinar, you will get an overview of the PSLF program, including:

Steps to apply and stay eligible for PSLF.
Using Studentaid.gov to track your PSLF progress.
The impact of ongoing SAVE litigation on PSLF.
The PSLF Buyback program after the IDR Payment Count Adjustment.

You may also access the presentation slides and transcript.

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.

You may also access the presentation slides and transcript.

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 lot of changes are happening with your federal student loans. Borrowers can take the following steps to protect themselves:
- Document your loan information and payment history: Borrowers should go to StudentAid.gov and download your student loan information and payment history documents.
- Screenshot your progress towards forgiveness: Borrowers should now see a payment tracker on their Federal Student Aid portal that allows them to see their progress towards forgiveness under Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Make sure to screenshot this page for your records.
- Check for correspondence from Federal Student Aid and your servicer: check your email, mail, and servicer website often for updates regarding your account, including repayment status and upcoming due dates.
- Report any issues with your loan servicer to the Student Loan Advocate: if something doesn’t seem right with your student loan account, submit a student loan question or complaint to our office.
The Department of Education has resumed collections on defaulted student loans after pausing since March 2020. Loan holders may begin collecting on defaulted loans by taking money from your wages or your federal payments (such as tax refunds). Learn how you can get out of default.
A federal court issued an injunction preventing the Department of Education from implementing parts of the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, and other IDR plans.
- Borrowers enrolled in SAVE have been moved to a zero percent 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 PSLF or IDR forgiveness. Learn what options you have to get PSLF or IDR credit during this time.
- Borrowers may apply to enroll in, switch between, or update their income in IDR plans at StudentAid.gov. Processing wait times are long, as the application queue is long.
- Student loan forgiveness due to months in repayment (IDR forgiveness) is being processed only for borrowers currently enrolled in the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan. All other IDR-based forgiveness is paused, pending the district court review.
- If you cannot afford your current student loan bills while waiting for your IDR application to be processed, contact your student loan servicer and ask to be placed in a processing forbearance. Borrowers may also be eligible for other deferments or forbearances that allow them to temporarily pause payments.
The Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge program is now administered by Federal Student Aid vendors. Apply and view your application status on the StudentAid.gov website.
The Joint Consolidation Separation process and application is now available. Borrowers struggling with their joint consolidation loans can now apply to separate their loans and receive significant benefits previously unavailable to them. All joint consolidation loan borrowers that plan to separate their loan(s) have until June 30, 2025, to submit an Application/Promissory Note to receive the benefits of the payment count adjustment on their new Direct Consolidation Loan.

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 for Federal Student Loans

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.
National Consumer Law Center: What borrowers can do to protect themselves.
National Consumer Law Center: Request to Stop or Reduce Offset of Social Security Benefits.

Payment Delinquency and Default for Private Student Loans

Private student lenders are not required by law to offer “get out of default” options. Private student loans often go into default when you miss monthly payments. Depending on the terms of your loan, you can also default on a private student loan if you declare bankruptcy or default on another loan.

Get more information

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What happens if I default on a private student loan?
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What are my options if a debt collection agency contacts me about my student loans?
National Consumer Law Center: Default & Debt Collection.
National Consumer Law Center: Negotiating a Settlement.

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. Federal Student Aid vendors handle all TPD applications.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: TPD eligibility.
StudentAid.gov: How to Apply for TPD.
StudentAid.gov: Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Info for Medical Professionals.
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

Direct Consolidation Loan

Combine many loans into one loan. Borrowers may want to consolidate to get out of default, to get access to Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) if they have Parent PLUS loans, or to change an older loan type (like a FFEL or Perkins loan) into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

But borrowers should beware that the Department announced it is interpreting a recent court order to, at least for now, block it from applying an important rule that preserved borrowers’ credit for time earned toward reaching forgiveness in Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) when they consolidate. This means that if borrowers apply to consolidate their loans now, they risk losing credit for all the qualifying time that counted towards IDR forgiveness. Their new consolidation loan will start with zero qualifying months.

It’s easy to apply to consolidate federal student loans online, and there is no fee or cost for borrowers. It’s important for borrowers to research their options before deciding.

Joint Consolidation Loan (JCL) Separation

Apply to separate Joint Consolidation Loans. Borrowers can separate their joint loan obligations and reconsolidate into new individual Direct Consolidation Loans. This allows borrowers struggling with their joint consolidation loans to receive significant benefits.

Learn more about the joint consolidation loan separation process, additional benefits, and deadlines on StudentAid.gov.

All joint consolidation loan borrowers that plan to separate their loan(s) have until June 30, 2025, to submit an Application/Promissory Note to receive the benefits of the payment count adjustment on their new Direct Consolidation Loan.

Get more information

StudentAid.gov: Learn about consolidation.
StudentAid.gov: Direct Consolidation loan application.
StudentAid.gov: Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Process and 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.