r/StudentLoans 2d ago

$12,000 of interest added to my loans (Mohela) while on SAVE Forbearance.

37 Upvotes

I’ve been unable to receive any help from Mohela. The first accrual started in March, stopped after a few days, and is now accruing again this week. Both times that I’ve called Mohela, they’ve told me that the interest will be removed “later.” Has anyone had a similar issue or had this resolved? I do not want this added interest included in my credit report. Btw, I’ve been on SAVE forbearance since last July and interest only started accruing last month, unexpectedly.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice American moving to Malmö Sweden

0 Upvotes

Hi, im looking for any advice on student loans for Malmö University in Sweden. I recently got accepted and was ready to finally apply for student loans from typical providers, however most mainstream international loan agencies Ive found dont cover this college (nor any college in Sweden for that matter). American federal loans also are unreliable. Ive attempted to contact the college itself on financial aid services but havent heard back from them and time to obtain funding is really short. Does anybody know of any loan agencies that would cover expenses for this specific University?


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Repayment day on credit report

1 Upvotes

When I look at my student loans on my credit report it says that they are in admin forbearance. Restart May 2025. I have not received anything from my student loan servicer about payments starting. Will this be pushed back once we are into May? Does anyone know?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

For What It Is Worth: My Call with the Servicer’s Ombudsman

36 Upvotes

Dear Diary,

  1. I received a call from my servicer’s ombudsman this morning—very pleasant and patient woman. I had initiated a complaint because my payment count was incorrect over a month ago, and she confirmed she could see the issue. She mentioned that they are waiting for firm guidance from DoEd on whether the count adjustments will be handled by DoEd or if it’s the servicer’s responsibility to complete the one-time adjustment. Until they hear otherwise, they are assuming it's DoEd's responsibility.  She mentioned that it had taken a while for me to receive her call because she was waiting for a definitive response before reaching out.

  2. She said this could be resolved this month, by the end of summer, or even next year. If I don’t hear back by summer’s end, she advised that I file another complaint.

  3. She was extremely patient throughout our conversation and also noted upon my inquiring that any surplus payments made would eventually be refunded. (For context: I had met the eligible payment threshold the day I entered SAVE. My IBR application—visible in their system—is currently paused due to the current administration’s directive. She assured me that once they get approval to process applications again, mine is in good standing.)

  4. Interestingly, she pointed out that if I were to leave IBR next month for another non-IDR plan, and it’s later determined that I met the forgiveness threshold back in June 2024, the move out of IBR wouldn’t count against me - meaning, I would get the forgives and any excess payments returned. That’s positive but I don’t know I’d be willing to take that to the bank. 

  5. Now, for the vibe check: I got the sense that Nelnet believes the one-time count adjustment may be at risk in the current litigation.  She didn’t say it outright, but based on the conversation, it seemed like that is a possibility. This wasn’t the most refreshing news. It just reinforced the possibility that expectations could shift at any moment.

**B/c context is often useful:  I entered SAVE in April 2024 and made one payment under the plan before the injunction took effect. In December 2024, after being laid off, I applied for IBR since my job loss made me eligible—something I hadn’t qualified for before. My IBR application is still being processed.**  

Just wanted to share my conversation in case it can help another.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice Student Aid Index (SAI)

1 Upvotes

Hi! My son applied for FAFSA and his SAI number is 896. Is that good?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

Advice Wife hasn't recertified in years on IDR plan

48 Upvotes

My wife hasn't recertified her income in at least 5 years on the IDR plan. She's just now realizing this, and by doing some Googling, this appears to have some not great consequences. I do not have any student loans, so I'm not familiar with all of this. What should I know about this situation? We are also having a child at the end of this year, as I've seen you need to update your family size.

She's making probably double than she did when she first certified her income.

EDIT: Thanks for all the responses, super helpful. We did login and see her next recert date is not until Sept of 2026 - which actually works on perfect as she is pregnant and will not work Q4 of this year, plus her "family size" will go up.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice Does Mohela send a electronic letter saying DoED approved the PSLF?

1 Upvotes

I’ve received an electronic letter saying I have been denied but do they also send one for being approved as well? Or does the award just get added on (or should say removed) from the total amount of the debt without saying so?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

Student Loan Forgiveness Set up

14 Upvotes

Why isn’t the student loan repayment set up so that you get loans paid off while you work? For every payment, they just match you? Instead of just forgiving everything after 10 years? This is probably very naive but it was just a thought I had like why is it that you have to work 10 years and they just forgive everything. Isn’t that more expensive for both the government and the employee because of interest accrual? Wouldn’t government jobs be more sustainable for people of they got help paying the loans back monthly?


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

On SAVE prior to Consolidation

1 Upvotes

My loans were all on SAVE prior to consolidation (before 7/31/24). Shouldn't the consolidation loans also be on SAVE as the litigation continues? My servicer has them as "Level/Standard" but the StudentLoan.gov shows they were all on SAVE prior to consolidation. I only consolidated to get the promised recount benefits... Will the consolidated loans follow the same trajectory as the underlying SAVE loans as litigation unfolds?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

425k federal loans, low income

197 Upvotes

Just want to clarify at the start. Family situation was poor and needed to get out of house. I was very naive, made poor loan decisions, and I can’t go back to fix it, only forward. I’ve considered ending my life, but don’t think it’s worth it, I love my family too much.

I took out nearly 365k to go to pharmacy school in California. Tuition + full living expenses to afford rent. I graduated in 2023 and it’s ballooned to 426k at this point.

I make around 140k per year, live in an apartment by myself and need to plan for my future which seems over before it starts.

1900 rent, 1000 for car and insurance, 70 cell phone, 150 for utilities.

I have 20k in savings in an HYSA.

Everyone I talked to said pay minimums for the rest of my life which I know is dumb. I want to have a financially free future.

I know I have a very difficult road ahead of me, but just need to grasp the situation before it’s too late.

Loans are averaging around 6.5% on all, including some at 7.5%

At this rate, I’m thinking my only way out is PSLF, but with no residency it’s been extremely difficult to find a job that allows me to qualify at the hospital level. I have been working retail for the time being.

Currently unemployed because i faced a breach of contract with my healthcare and couldn’t commute any longer.

Plan is to get rid of my car for a cheaper one, but I’m 10k upside down so it would eat into my savings, but worth saving the cash monthly.

Can possibly move in with brother for a year, but no longer than that.

Or, I gamble on myself, continue PAYE and save for eventual tax bomb, or start aggressively paying to have some sense of normality in the future without this cloud following me.

I have no idea what to do, haven’t slept in days and my mental health is destroyed.

If there’s any guidance out there, please share. I’m willing to take the hardest road to get there. I know it won’t be easy. And I know I made bad decisions I can’t undo.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice Raking up loans for dream job? Worth it??

3 Upvotes

I’m 28 and have recently gotten into OTD school (Occupational Therapy) it’s a hybrid program that would allow me to still work at least part time and go to school. I’d be done in 2 years. But the cost is wild- $110,000 and applying for scholarships but loans are my only backup. But I really want to and I know id prioritize paying off after completing school and want to work in an hospital so I would fall under PSLF.With the current political climate I’m scared to take the risk. Thoughts???


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

On SAVE, forbearance ending?

3 Upvotes

I applied to move from SAVE to IBR in February so that I could start making payments toward my PSLF. Today I got a message sent saying that my scheduled repayments are 8/2025.

However, right above my loan details there is an alert that says my forbearance ends on 04/06. I am very confused as to what that means?


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

How TF do I get rid of this nightmare

0 Upvotes

Hello,

I am a speech therapist who has worked in healthcare during COVID and education. I even work in Rural native communities and somehow cannot get a measly 20k forgiven. Whyyyyyyy? What resources am I not using?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

SAVE borrower - Notice of Repayment Schedule Change - MOHELA

8 Upvotes

I received a Notice today stating I have been placed on an IDR. I applied for IBR on 2/6/25 when I learned SAVE forbearance was not going towards forgiveness.

The notice does not say which IDR, just that it's an IDR with a low payment.

My IDR adjusted payment count list has also disappeared from the FSA website. Previously, FSA website displayed that I had 4 years, 11 months till forgiveness. This new Notice from MOHELA states 13 months on this new IDR with low payment, and 59 months after that at a higher rate if I don't recertify.

What in holy hell is happening?

I really cannot afford to pass up work so I can sit on hold with MOHELA for 4 hours for 2-3 days next week.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice Torn between 2 options. About to take on student loans for the first time (advice)

1 Upvotes

As the title says, I am about to take on student loans for grad school and my 2 year masters in IO Psychology. The starting salary for this career is 60k-70k supposedly.

I have 2 main options for my masters program but they have a different cost. One of them is where I want to go (NYU) and the other is where it is probably smarter to go financially (Texas).

NYU (150K student loans)

Texas AM (70K student loans)

There is actually a third option which I have as a financially safe backup. The problem is that this is not a well regarded university compared to the ones above and most people have not heard of it in my home state. It is Florida Southern College and the total loans will be about 50K.

Most people will say go for the cheaper option (Texas) but the more expensive option can potentially lead me to more lucrative job opportunities (NYU).

So my question is, what is a (reasonable) price for a 2 year masters degree?

And if I take the risk and go for NYU, would that much debt be enough to overcome in 25 years with an interest rate of 8% since that is the usual grad student federal loan interest rate?

Can I avoid the tax bomb if I go for NYU? or should I just be safe and go for Texas?

Any advice and suggestions I will appreciate


r/StudentLoans 3d ago

News/Politics What would happen to student loans in a Great Depression 2.0?

644 Upvotes

This is a serious question even if hypothetical, not just sounding the alarm.

Yall have just as good an idea as I do as to what’s going to happen to the economy. Maybe this administration will backpedal and Trump’s own narcissism (he does care about his approval ratings) will save us. Maybe some of the adults in the room will set things straight, or there is enough order and balance in the world that will set a high enough floor for any economic crash.

But what if…not? With a layperson’s knowledge of macroeconomics, I really don’t know if we’re looking at 2002, 2008, the 1970s, or 1929-1930s. The 70s were bad, but society seemed to at least function somewhat. What if we are actually looking at a 1930s-style Great Depression? What do you think student loan policy will be? There’s an accelerationist case to be made for a total economic implosion as to a forced reset if everyone is bankrupt…but maybe not. I think a lot of us forget that those with six-figure student loan balances are very much a vocal minority, we might be very far down the list for a bailout even in the worst of times.


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

Can I invest my student loan (legally)

8 Upvotes

I got a subsidized loan in which I don’t have to pay any interest until 6 months after I graduate ( in 2 years) this made me think about investing it in a savings account or maybe the stock market, and pay it as soon as I graduate, therefore no interest must be paid. Is it legal to do?


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Default Loan Questions

2 Upvotes

So I'm finally going back to school after a decade or more. I have one defaulted loan. The others have been in forebearance but now don't say anything since the new government took over. Fun times lol. Obviously consolidation was paused and my parents and in laws generously offered me the money to pay it off so I can get my aide offer to go back to school. It's reopened but I'm still going to take my settlement with Ascendium. I'm a little concerned because when I log into my account there's not like a settlement offer button. Just make a payment. The lady on the phone today said just pay the settlement amount not the total and they will fix it after. That makes me anxious and I'm unsure about paying it online now. I desperately need this to go away fast but I have to wait until Monday anyway for anything to process. Should I trust them that once I pay this settlement they're not going to say I owe them the rest ? I just don't like there isn't anything about the settlement once I log on. I have emails.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Rant/Complaint Frustrated with Aidadvantage

2 Upvotes

I tried to get an IBR rolling around December 2024 because I had just started a nonprofit job that would qualify for PSLF. Otherwise I had already resigned myself to paying it off forever cause that's how it is.

Ofc I got rolled into the bs, so I keep being put in forbearance for two months with a due date looming until my application is processed. Then it rolls over again.

The court injunction I explained to my friends as basically throwing out my application and I was really stressed with an April 8 paydate coming up. I emailed March 19th asking about how to handle to situation and was told I would automatically e put in the same forbearance once the old one was over on April 2nd. Not entirely reassured, I called the 24th and was told the exact same thing.

I got a little paranoid and decided to check my account about an hour ago. The old forbearance is gone and I have a $600 payment due the 8th. I'm upset and pissed off cause if I hadn't gotten paranoid I could've been in hot shit. As it is I still kinda am since I literally can't afford $600/month.

I emailed them with the dates and information I was given about the continuing forbearance but I doubt I'll hear anything before I can call them Monday. I'm just very frustrated and wanted to vent! I only ever went into this amount of debt knowing there were income based repayment plans. And I can afford the $250/month one the studentaid site says I qualify for! Just put me in it and I'll pay my loans! Or put me in another forbearance that doesn't end in two months and stresses me out all over again!!


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

I want to pay someone to help me with this admin

0 Upvotes

I need someone to relentlessly call Mohela for me and set up a payment plan that fits my needs. I have not been able to get in touch with them for a very long time and my ADHD is not allowing me to keep trying. I was thinking I could pay someone to grant POA to, so they can devote the time and mental energy to handle this process for me. It would be cheaper in the long run than continuing to ignore it. Any thoughts on which type of professional I could ask to handle this? Thank you!


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

When can you consolidate loans and apply for IDR plans?

1 Upvotes

I thought you had to wait until you graduated from your program. I graduate in May from Med school so can I apply now and likely be put into forbearance?


r/StudentLoans 2d ago

Advice How stupid would I be if I did this.

7 Upvotes

So I really want to go a university in the UK, where I would need to pay around 47k for tuition, housing, allowance, books, etc. I would go for four years. I haven't applied to any scholarships yet but there are some I can apply to if I get an offer from the university. My dream has always been to go to the UK since I was young. I love the UK, I have people I know there, I love the enviorment, and I just always planned on living in the UK. This could be my one and only chance of ever living the dream, even if its only for a few years ot maybe I can go and never return back to the US.

I would have waited before I am older and such because when I was younger my family was more wealthy. As years passed on my family started struggling with money with only my Dad working and every year less and less money is coming in. I live with my aunt now with 7 other people in a cramp small house. I dont want to get into a lot because this isn't a vent, but this is sort of important to say for my next part.

Is it dumb to pay to go using loans and maybe scholarships? I am willing to do anything to leave this hell and explore on my own and start to be dependent. But money is impossible but this could be my one way ticket to freedom. I understand I have to pay back the loans, but I am willing take do that if it means I can make my dreams come true. But is this a dumb idea? Am I missing something? What is stopping me from doing this.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

So is PSLF still a thing and where to get accurate updates on what’s happening with IBR plans?

2 Upvotes

Sorry if this questions beating a dead horse.


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Still time for Double Consolidation Loophole?

2 Upvotes

I just recently learned about this method to access IDR/IBR plans. I'm paying around 1200 a month with 4 parent plus loans, so I'm wondering if the time that I have left is feasible to complete this process? Are there downsides to trying and ending up not able to complete? I know timing will probably not be consistent with everyone and every servicer as well; Are there any hacks to speed run this process? Thanks!


r/StudentLoans 1d ago

Advice Extra loans for living expenses so I can pay down credit card?

2 Upvotes

I was just accepted to a masters program and i have excess loans available. I know you’re not really supposed to pay a credit card directly with it, but could I use extra loans to pay for living expenses like rent etc. for a couple months and then with my money saved, pay off the credit card? The credit card is 22% and the loan is 9% interest.