Borrower defense to repayment is a federal student loan forgiveness program that lets borrowers seek discharge of Direct Loans when their school engaged in fraud or serious misconduct. If your college made false promises about job placement rates, program quality, accreditation, or transferability of credits, you may qualify for loan discharge.
This relief is designed to protect students harmed by predatory colleges or dishonest practices. Our experienced attorneys will review your situation, advise on eligibility, and guide you through every step of the borrower defense application. Contact us now for a free eligibility review and get started on your borrower defense claim.
You may qualify for borrower defense if you took out federal Direct Loans and your school violated state or federal law. Common qualifiers include predatory for-profit colleges or vocational schools that made misleading claims about programs, scholarships, or job placement rates.
Even if you withdrew or transferred before graduating, you could still be eligible if the school defrauded you. Our legal team specializes in evaluating borrower defense cases to determine if you qualify for loan discharge or student loan forgiveness. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with our attorneys and learn how to apply.
Predatory colleges aggressively recruit students and often lie about program outcomes, accreditation, or licensing rates. These institutions may push high-interest loans or promise lucrative careers that don’t materialize. Attending a predatory school can make you eligible for borrower defense relief. Our attorneys are trained to identify these warning signs and help you build a strong borrower defense application. Reach out today for a free case review to see if your school experience qualifies you for student loan forgiveness.
To apply for borrower defense to repayment, you must submit an official application to the U.S. Department of Education. The process involves describing how your school misled you and providing supporting documents such as enrollment agreements or correspondence with the college. We help clients complete each section accurately and collect the evidence needed to strengthen their claim. An attorney can ensure your borrower defense application is error-free and comprehensive, which increases your chances of success. Contact our team now for step-by-step assistance with your borrower defense application.
Strong borrower defense claims require clear evidence of school misconduct. Useful documents include your enrollment agreement, course catalogs or brochures, emails or letters from school officials, and any advertising materials that misrepresented the program. Records of payments and transcripts can also support your case. Our attorneys will help you gather and organize all necessary documentation to support your claim. Get in touch today for a free case evaluation and let us collect the proof needed for your borrower defense application.
Yes. An experienced student loan attorney can significantly improve your chances of a successful borrower defense claim. Attorneys understand complex regulations and know what evidence will make your application stronger. Our legal team can handle your case from start to finish, communicate with the Department of Education on your behalf, and keep you updated on the process. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys to get personalized help with your borrower defense application.
The borrower defense application process can take several months or longer, depending on backlog and the complexity of your case.Because the Department of Education carefully reviews each claim, patience is often required. Our firm helps expedite your case by ensuring your application is accurate and complete, which can prevent avoidable delays. Throughout the process, we will keep you informed about any updates. Contact us for a free eligibility review and to discuss the expected timeline for your borrower defense case.
If your borrower defense claim is denied, don’t lose hope. You have options to appeal or provide additional information to strengthen your case. Denials sometimes happen due to incomplete paperwork or insufficient evidence, so our attorneys can review the decision and help you take next steps. We can assist with gathering more documents, writing persuasive appeals, or exploring other federal loan forgiveness programs. Reach out to our team for a free review and guidance on the best next steps after a denial.
Yes. If your borrower defense application is approved, you could receive full discharge of your federal student loans. This means your remaining balance is canceled and any payments you already made may be refunded. You may also be eligible for reimbursement of fees and interest. Our attorneys can estimate how much relief you might receive and guide you through obtaining your debt cancellation. Contact us now to learn how borrower defense can erase your debt and to get a free case assessment. Closed School Discharge
Closed School Discharge
Closed school discharge is a federal student loan forgiveness option that cancels your debt when your school closes while you’re enrolled or shortly after you withdraw.If your college shut its doors, you may not have to repay your federal loans. The discharge erases your remaining balance for that school’s loans. This relief is intended to protect students from education debt when institutions abruptly close. Contact our attorneys for help determining if you qualify and for free assistance with your closed school discharge application.
You’re eligible if you were enrolled at a school that closed while you were still a student or within 120 days after you left.If you graduated before the school closed, you typically are not eligible. Even if you transferred or partially completed a program, loan forgiveness may still apply if the credits became unusable due to the closure. Our legal team can review your situation, confirm eligibility, and help you pursue this federal student loan discharge. Get a free consultation to learn if you qualify for this federal loan forgiveness.
To apply for a closed school discharge, you must complete the federal closed school discharge application and submit it to your loan servicer.You’ll need to provide information about your enrollment dates and when the school closed. Our attorneys will guide you through completing the application correctly and gathering any necessary supporting documents. We make sure your closed school discharge application is filed on time and includes everything needed. Contact us now for step-by-step assistance and a free evaluation of your case.
Generally, if you finished your program before the school closed, you won’t qualify for a closed school discharge.The relief is for students who lost access to their education because of the closure. However, if you withdrew within 120 days after the school closed, you may still be eligible. If you completed courses that turned out to be worthless after closure, discuss this with us; sometimes other relief might be available. Contact us today for a free eligibility review to see if any federal forgiveness options apply in your situation.
You need documentation proving you were in school when it closed. This could include your transcript with enrollment dates, enrollment agreements, or a letter from the school or accrediting agency confirming the closure date. Payment records and financial aid information can also support your claim. Our attorneys will help you gather and organize all necessary documents for your application. Get in touch for a free case evaluation and let us assist in compiling the evidence needed for your closed school discharge.
Closed school discharge processing times vary by loan servicer, but you can generally expect a decision within a few months after your application is complete.If your school closed more than a year ago, the discharge may even be automatic, but applying early can speed up relief. Our attorneys will follow up on your application and communicate with your servicer to minimize delays. Contact us for a free eligibility check and timeline estimate for your closed school discharge.
If you attended multiple schools, only the loans tied to the closed school are eligible for discharge. For example, if you had loans at School A (which closed) and loans at School B (which stayed open), only the School A loans can be forgiven. Even if you consolidated all your loans, our attorneys will identify which part of your debt came from the closed school and help you apply for discharge on that portion. Call us to discuss how to apply for closed school discharge on the qualifying loans. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a federal student loan forgiveness program that cancels the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan while working full-time in public service.Essentially, it offers debt relief after about 10 years of eligible service to a government or nonprofit employer. Eligible jobs include public school teachers, police officers, nonprofit hospital staff, and other public servants. Contact us now to learn if your employment qualifies and how PSLF can help you achieve student loan forgiveness.
To qualify for PSLF, you must work full-time for a qualifying employer. Qualifying employers include U.S. federal, state, or local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations (typically 501(c)(3) charities). Most public school teachers, military members, police officers, and nonprofit hospital or college employees qualify. Full-time generally means at least 30 hours per week. Our attorneys can verify your employer’s status and advise on maximizing your eligibility. Schedule a free consultation to see if you qualify for PSLF.
Only Federal Direct Loans qualify for PSLF. This includes Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans. If you have older FFEL or Perkins loans, you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan to become eligible. Private loans are not eligible. We can help you consolidate your federal loans correctly so that all are on a path to PSLF. Reach out today for loan consolidation help and to ensure your loans meet PSLF requirements.
You need to make 120 on-time, full monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan to receive PSLF forgiveness. These payments can be spread out over 10 years (or longer if necessary) as long as you are employed by a qualifying employer. It’s often best to use an income-driven repayment plan to keep your payments affordable. Once you meet all requirements, the remaining loan balance is forgiven tax-free. Contact us to help you track your payments and stay on course toward reaching your 120 qualifying payments.
To apply for PSLF, you submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form (often annually) to the U.S. Department of Education. This form verifies your qualifying employment and counts your payments. You can also use the PSLF Help Tool to track your progress online. After completing 120 payments, you submit the forgiveness application. Our attorneys can help you fill out these forms correctly, handle communications with your loan servicer, and ensure your progress is documented. Call us for assistance with submitting your PSLF forms and staying on track toward loan forgiveness.
Yes, part-time work can count toward PSLF in certain cases. If you work multiple part-time jobs, the combined hours from two qualifying employers can meet the full-time requirement. Volunteer service, such as Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, usually counts if you received taxable living allowances. Our attorneys can review your employment situation to determine if it qualifies under PSLF. Contact us to find out if your work arrangement qualifies for loan forgiveness.
If you have any federal loans outside the Direct Loan program (like FFEL or Perkins Loans), you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF.Consolidating federal loans into a single Direct Loan makes them eligible for forgiveness. Be aware that consolidation resets your payment count to zero, so it’s best done early in your repayment timeline. We can help you with the consolidation process to minimize any impact. Reach out for consolidation help to ensure your loans qualify for PSLF.
Our experienced student loan attorneys can guide you through every step of the PSLF process. We verify that your employer qualifies, help you choose the best repayment plan, and assist with completing and submitting the necessary PSLF certification forms. If you’ve had payments denied in the past, we can help you appeal those decisions. Contact us to get expert help making sure you stay on track toward PSLF and maximize your student loan forgiveness. Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teacher Loan Forgiveness is a federal program that cancels a portion of your federal student loans if you teach full-time in a qualifying low-income school.You can receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teaching five complete years. This program applies to Direct Loans and FFEL, helping dedicated teachers with federal student loan relief. Contact us to find out if your teaching position qualifies for this forgiveness.
To qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness, you must work full-time for five consecutive years at a qualifying school or educational service agency.You should hold at least a bachelor’s degree and, if required, state certification. Eligible schools are usually Title I schools serving low-income students. Our attorneys will verify your eligibility and help you apply for forgiveness. Schedule a free consultation to confirm your eligibility and begin the application process.
Eligible schools are those on the Department of Education’s low-income (Title I) school list.Both elementary and secondary schools count. Certain subjects, like math, science, or special education, may qualify you for a higher forgiveness amount (up to $17,500). Our team can check if your school and teaching subject meet the criteria. Reach out to find out if your position qualifies for Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
Qualifying teachers can receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness. If you taught secondary math or science, or special education at eligible schools, you can get the full $17,500. Other qualifying teachers can receive up to $5,000. This amount is directly applied to your federal student loan balance. Contact us to learn how much you may qualify for and to get help applying for Teacher Loan Forgiveness.
To apply, complete the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness application form and submit it to your loan servicer with a certification of your qualifying teaching service.You will need a principal or superintendent to certify your five years of service. Our attorneys can assist with gathering the required documentation and ensuring the form is correctly filled out. Get in touch for help completing your Teacher Loan Forgiveness application and for a free eligibility review.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness and PSLF are separate programs. Teacher Forgiveness requires only 5 years of teaching at a qualifying school but caps forgiveness at $5,000 or $17,500. PSLF requires 10 years of service with a qualified employer but can forgive any remaining balance. You cannot count the same payments for both programs. We can evaluate which program better suits your situation. Contact us to discuss which student loan forgiveness option is best for your teaching career. Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge is a federal program that cancels your federal student loans if you have a disability that prevents you from working.If a physician certifies you are totally and permanently disabled, you can apply for loan forgiveness. This includes Direct Loans and Perkins Loans. Our legal team will help determine if your condition qualifies for TPD discharge. Contact us to see if you meet the criteria for disability discharge.
You qualify for TPD discharge if the Social Security Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs has determined you are totally disabled.For example, an SSA disability award or a VA disability rating of 100% may qualify you. Alternatively, a doctor’s statement on the official form can also establish total and permanent disability. Our attorneys will review your medical documentation to ensure you meet the requirements. Schedule a free consultation to review your eligibility for a disability discharge.
To apply, you submit a TPD discharge application through Federal Student Aid.The U.S. Department of Education may then request documentation such as your SSA disability award letter or VA disability rating. We will help you complete the application and submit the necessary paperwork. Contact us for help with every step of the TPD discharge application process.
You will need official documentation of your disability. This can include an SSA disability award letter, a VA disability rating letter, or a doctor’s certification on the required form. These documents must prove you are totally and permanently disabled. Our team will help gather and verify all necessary medical records and forms. Contact us to make sure your medical documentation meets the requirements for discharge.
If your loan is co-signed (such as a Parent PLUS loan), the co-signer is also released from obligation once the loan is discharged.After your loans are cancelled, the co-signer will not have to make payments. There is usually a three-year monitoring period to confirm you remain disabled, but your co-signer will no longer be liable. Call us to discuss how disability discharge affects co-signed loans.
If you recover and become able to work during the three-year monitoring period, your loans could be reinstated. However, because total and permanent disability means your condition is expected to be long-term, recovery is very rare. We will explain the monitoring period and what happens if your situation changes. Reach out for guidance and support throughout the disability discharge process. Federal Loan Consolidation
Federal Loan Consolidation
Federal loan consolidation combines multiple federal student loans into a single Direct Consolidation Loan.This creates one monthly payment and a fixed interest rate (the weighted average of your existing rates). Consolidation can simplify repayment and make it easier to manage your loans. Contact us to learn how consolidation can streamline your federal student loans.
You can apply online through the U.S. Department of Education’s StudentAid.gov website. The application is free and asks you to select which loans to include. We can also help you complete and submit the consolidation application accurately. Reach out for step-by-step assistance with your consolidation application.
Consolidation simplifies repayment by combining multiple loans into one payment and one interest rate.It can lower your monthly payment by extending the term, and it can remove loans from default. You also secure a fixed interest rate and keep access to federal repayment plans. Contact us to see if consolidation can reduce your payment or improve your repayment options.
Yes, there are trade-offs. Consolidating may cause you to lose benefits like borrower-specific interest rate discounts or original loan cancellation benefits. A longer repayment term means you might pay more interest over time. We will help you weigh these factors so you make an informed choice. Call us to discuss the pros and cons of consolidation for your loans.
Your new interest rate will be the weighted average of your current loans, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth percent.This means you won’t get a lower rate but may avoid future rate increases. Note that benefits tied to the old loans may be lost, such as interest rebates or principal rebates. We can explain exactly how your rates and benefits will change. Contact us for expert advice on how consolidation will impact your loan terms.
Yes. Consolidation can help make your loans eligible for programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). For example, if you have FFEL or Perkins Loans and want PSLF, you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan first. Consolidation is also a tool to get out of default. Reach out to see if consolidation is the right step to qualify for loan forgiveness and to get help with the process. Default Resolution (Title IV loans in default)
Default Resolution (Title IV loans in default)
A federal student loan is in default when you have not made payments for around 270 days.It means you are seriously delinquent on your loan. Default triggers collection actions by the government. Contact us immediately if you’re nearing default or already in default to explore your options.
Default has severe consequences. Your loan balance may increase with fees and additional interest, and the government can garnish up to 15% of your wages without court approval. They can also seize your tax refunds, Social Security, or other federal benefits. Default damages your credit score, making it hard to get jobs or credit. Call us to understand how to prevent or remedy these consequences.
You can get out of default through rehabilitation, consolidation, or repayment in full. Rehabilitation requires nine affordable payments, after which your loan is taken out of default. Consolidation removes the default after three on-time payments. Paying off the loan completely or negotiating a settlement may also be options. Our attorneys will evaluate which route is best for you. Reach out for a free consultation to start getting your loans back in good standing.
Rehabilitation is a program that lets you end default by making nine on-time, affordable monthly payments.Typically, the amount is based on your income, making it manageable. After completing the required payments, your default status is removed and you regain benefits like deferment and forgiveness eligibility. Contact us to learn if rehabilitation is right for you and to get help with the process.
Loan consolidation allows you to combine defaulted loans into a new Direct Consolidation Loan after making three on-time payments.The consolidation immediately removes the default status and reinstates your federal loan benefits. Keep in mind this may not remove the default notation from your credit report. Our team can guide you through the consolidation steps to remove default.
A loan settlement or compromise is an agreement to pay less than the full amount owed. The U.S. Department of Education rarely settles federal debt, but some collection agencies or guarantee agencies may negotiate. An attorney can negotiate with collectors to reduce your balance or set up a repayment schedule. Contact us to discuss whether debt settlement is an option for your federal loans.
An attorney can protect your rights and handle negotiations with loan servicers or collectors.We will help you understand your options, complete the necessary paperwork, and stop unfair collection practices. With legal guidance, you’re more likely to successfully rehabilitate, consolidate, or even have your debt forgiven. Schedule a free consultation to get expert help resolving your defaulted loans.
Yes, the government can garnish your wages without a court order when you default.Additionally, tax refunds and Social Security payments can be taken. However, once you start rehabilitation or consolidation, garnishments typically stop (though collected amounts are not returned). It’s important to act quickly to stop garnishments. Call us immediately to discuss how to stop wage garnishment and recover your financial security.
