Loan Forgiveness

Federal Debt Relief


Notice as of 11/23/22

Student Loan Debt Relief Is Blocked

Courts have issued orders blocking the Department of Education student debt relief program. As a result, at this time, they are not accepting applications. They are seeking to overturn those orders.

Impact to Repayment Restart

Payments will resume 60 days after the Department is permitted to implement the program or the litigation is resolved, which will give the Supreme Court an opportunity to resolve the case during its current Term. If the program has not been implemented and the litigation has not been resolved by June 30, 2023 – payments will resume 60 days after that.

If you’ve already applied, they will hold your application. Subscribe and check back here for updates. We will post information as soon as further updates are available.


In August 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced student loan debt relief for eligible borrowers.

This loan cancellation program is far-reaching and will allow for up to $10,000 or $20,000 in debt relief to many student loan borrowers. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Education also continues to manage many targeted, ongoing loan forgiveness programs directed at specific populations.

The official application for debt relief has been made available as of October 17, 2022.

Apply for Debt Relief

While Kent State will not be involved in your application for loan forgiveness, we will provide links here to assist you in applying for debt relief with the U.S. Department of Education as information is made available.

We are offered two sessions on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. These sessions provided an overview of the one-time time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief program application that launched on October 17, 2022 and ends December 31, 2023. Representatives from the Kent State University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provided important information and updates on who is eligible and how to apply.

View the session PowerPoint

With the recently announced student debt cancellation, a new wave of scams has already begun trying to gain access to personal and financial information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Education (ED) remind borrowers to be on alert.

This debt cancellation program does not have a fee, and borrowers never have to pay for information or pay to sign up for any federal loan forgiveness program. Additionally, borrowers will not receive calls or texts about this program. ED emails will come from the following addresses:  noreply@studentaid.govnoreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov, or ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com.

Report any suspicious activity to the FTC.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Click Here for PSLF Information

View a Video regarding PSLF

 


Information Websites

The following resources can guide you with information on the far-reaching debt relief program announced in August 2022:

General Information

  • U.S. Department of Education (ED) Press Release – Key information of final loan pause extension and targeted debt cancellation.
  • ED Website Explaining Debt Relief Plan – Basic information with ongoing updates as the process develops.
  • White House Fact Sheet on Student Loan Relief – Biden-Harris Administration outline of 3-part plan to assist student borrowers.

Your Eligibility

  • ED Website to Review Your Loan Debt and if You Were a Pell Grant Receipt – Borrowers can log in to their personal account at studentaid.gov to review their current student loan debt as well as see if they had previously received the Federal Pell Grant.
  • ED Website on Loan Repayment Restart Following COVID Pause – All borrowers with remaining loan balances should review information on the restart of repayment after several years of pause so as to avoid default or other issues.

Get Updates

  • Sign up for Updates from ED – Provide your email to sign up for Federal Student Loan Borrower Updates as well as other ED programs.

Monitor information at studentaid.gov to ensure you understand your role in applying for debt relief and important timelines related to the process.

 

While debt relief may be afforded to qualifying students, borrowers should continue to view all loans taken or received as assumed debt subject to repayment. Families have no guarantee such forgiveness will be granted or remain in place when they are in repayment until such determination is made for them following formal application with the Department of Education.  

Applications for student loan debt relief will be made with the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Student Aid Website:  studentaid.gov

Federal Student Aid Information Center: 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

Please work with the Department or your federal loan servicer to understand loan repayment, debt relief processes, and your role in applying for or receiving student debt relief.