If your college has closed or you feel like you have been a victim of fraud, you'll need help navigating your options.
Let us help you walk through the options available and guide you down the correct path to success.
Do you believe you were defrauded/misled by your institution?
YES
NO
For more information on availability and eligibility, contact your state post-secondary education agency by visiting the Office of Federal Student Aid’s webpage.
View WebpageIf you do not know who your loan servicer is and would like to find out, you may log into My Federal Student Aid
(login is in the upper right-hand corner)
or call 1-800-4-FED-AID.
Take a picture of your signature using your smart phone – you’ll need an electronic version of your signature if you submit electronically or via email
Gather any supporting documentation before you start the application process
You may qualify for borrower defense to repayment, and can find out by submitting the application
Take a picture of your signature using your smart phone – you’ll need an electronic version of your signature if you submit electronically or via email
Gather any supporting documentation before you start the application process
Understanding Forbearance & Stopped Collection Status
After the Department of Education receives your claim, your loan can be placed into forbearance — meaning collections will cease on any loans in default.
You can choose this option within your application.
HOWEVER, interest will continue to accumulate.
If your application for borrower defense is denied or partially approved, the interest on the non-forgiven loans will be added to your loan balance, and the total amount you owe may be higher.
Dos and Don'ts
DO submit questions on the status of your request @ [email protected].
DO be patient. Processing times vary. Once your review is complete, your loan servicer(s) will contact you to inform you if your claim was denied or not.
DON'T submit multiple applications. This will just delay your response.
Stay Informed
Find the examples and extra documentation you need on NextStepsEd.org
Download this checklist to follow your progress.
For additional information about borrower defense to repayment, visit the Office of Federal Student Aid’s Borrower Defense to Repayment webpage
Unfortunately, private loans are not eligible for a closed school federal loan discharge.
If you do not know who your loan servicer is and would like to find out, you may log into My Federal Student Aid
(login is in the upper right-hand corner)
or call 1-800-4-FED-AID.
Do Any of the Above Apply To You?
YES
NO
For more information,
please contact your
loan servicer or call
1-800-4-FED-AID.
Apply for a closed school federal loan discharge by completing and returning the Loan Discharge Application: School Closure to your loan servicer.
If you do not know who your loan servicer is, call 1-800-4-FED-AID.
Instead of applying for a closed school federal loan discharge, do you want to keep the credits you have earned, and transfer those credits to another school with a comparable program?
For more information, submit your question
@ [email protected].
Students who received Pell Grants at institutions that closed before they earned their credentials may qualify for restoration of their Pell Grant lifetime eligibility that was used at their closed institution, provided they were enrolled during either the academic year in which the school closed or the academic year immediately prior.
Unsure on what date your school closed?
You may view a current list of closed schools & closure
dates on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.