PSLF

[Mushe]

mofongo, chances are good that he qualifies! Start here: studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver

I had to create an account here to use the PSLF tool. Long story short, if they are direct loans, that will simplify the process.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 17, 2021 20:02:22 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Ok, I have some questions, sorry! I had not been paying attention closely b/c I didn’t think my H would qualify. I don’t have loans.

His loans have been consolidated since 2008, they are with Nelnet. He has been working at the same non-profit hospital paying monthly loans since fall 2008.

Is this something we should look into? Should he start by calling nelnet?

Thanks

It depends on how they are consolidated I think. If they were converted to private loans, I don’t think they will qualify. But if they are still federal or direct loans, then yes!!

Definitely look into it. Lots of people who didn’t think they qualified are actually qualifying.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 17, 2021 7:05:03 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Well, mine were denied. Ugh. I don't think that is correct, so i need to call them. They are not counting anything before November 2010, even though I paid for 2 years before that while working for a qualifying employer. And even after 2010 a bunch of my payments are eligible but not qualifying, which makes no sense.

I hope they are helpful on the phone. I have never had a good experience speaking with them in the past.

ETA: I don't know why I am surprised that this program is still a mess. It appears that they believe I was in forbearance for almost 2 years from 2011-2013, which I am 100% certain was not correct. I do recall doing a 6 month forbearance at some point that may have been around 2011 but it definitely was not for 2 years. Of course, this was a decade ago when I thought I wasn't going to be eligible for PSLF anyway, so I don't have any records. It is also not counting anything from before my loans became direct loans in 2010, even though I believe from my reading that my previous payments (which were consolidated, federal loans) should qualify too.

Additionally, even though they have the dates of my employment that has been verified in one place on my account, there are some payments that are showing "needs employment verification" that fall within those dates on the payment tracker. So they should qualify.

All in all I think if I can get this straightened out, I'll still be eligible. 

I just submitted to foia for my loan payment history. If you join the fb group, they have an easy step by step of how to do it. I am also missing m loan history prior to 2013.

[wildrice]

Nov 17, 2021 20:18:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Nov 17, 2021 7:05:03 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Well, mine were denied. Ugh. I don't think that is correct, so i need to call them. They are not counting anything before November 2010, even though I paid for 2 years before that while working for a qualifying employer. And even after 2010 a bunch of my payments are eligible but not qualifying, which makes no sense.

I hope they are helpful on the phone. I have never had a good experience speaking with them in the past.

ETA: I don't know why I am surprised that this program is still a mess. It appears that they believe I was in forbearance for almost 2 years from 2011-2013, which I am 100% certain was not correct. I do recall doing a 6 month forbearance at some point that may have been around 2011 but it definitely was not for 2 years. Of course, this was a decade ago when I thought I wasn't going to be eligible for PSLF anyway, so I don't have any records. It is also not counting anything from before my loans became direct loans in 2010, even though I believe from my reading that my previous payments (which were consolidated, federal loans) should qualify too.

Additionally, even though they have the dates of my employment that has been verified in one place on my account, there are some payments that are showing "needs employment verification" that fall within those dates on the payment tracker. So they should qualify.

All in all I think if I can get this straightened out, I'll still be eligible. 

I just submitted to foia for my loan payment history. If you join the fb group, they have an easy step by step of how to do it. I am also missing m loan history prior to 2013.

Thanks! I actually just did that today, so fingers crossed it helps us both!

[pumpkin]

F/U question: do I need to create a FEDLOAN account? My Fed loans were all consolidated when I graduated in 2005 into a direct loan, but the servicing of them has been bouncing around since 2014. I’ve faxed in the PSLF form but not sure what else I should do/where I should create an account.

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m so envious of those who get to take advantage of this. And sad that yet again we get left out basically because we live in a VHCOL area and can’t afford the appropriate repayment plan.

[bex1973]

Nov 18, 2021 8:55:18 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’m so envious of those who get to take advantage of this. And sad that yet again we get left out basically because we live in a VHCOL area and can’t afford the appropriate repayment plan.

Are you sure you don't qualify under the new guidelines?

[majique]

Nov 18, 2021 9:12:33 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Nov 18, 2021 8:55:18 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’m so envious of those who get to take advantage of this. And sad that yet again we get left out basically because we live in a VHCOL area and can’t afford the appropriate repayment plan.

Are you sure you don't qualify under the new guidelines?

Yeah, if you haven’t you might want to check. I was in the wrong repayment plan and when payments started back up again in 2022 my payment was going to double because of the payment plan. It might be worth a check or second look if you have checked.

[Mushe]

pumpkin, as I understand what’s come out, you do need to create a FedLoans account, as they are the PSLF servicer. Mine are now with Mohela, and apparently the Dept of Ed will have them transferred to FedLoans to handle the PSLF portion.

[Jalapeñomel]

Nov 18, 2021 9:12:33 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Nov 18, 2021 8:55:18 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I’m so envious of those who get to take advantage of this. And sad that yet again we get left out basically because we live in a VHCOL area and can’t afford the appropriate repayment plan.

Are you sure you don't qualify under the new guidelines?

Yes, I’ve double checked. I’m going to consolidate and see if that changes the repayment, but I highly doubt it.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 18, 2021 14:12:38 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Nov 18, 2021 9:12:33 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Are you sure you don't qualify under the new guidelines?

Yes, I’ve double checked. I’m going to consolidate and see if that changes the repayment, but I highly doubt it.

How many years of service do you have? If it's over 10, I've read after consolidation you can ask for "administrative forbearance" while they're processing your application.

[bex1973]

Nov 18, 2021 12:20:53 GMT -5 Mushe said:

pumpkin , as I understand what’s come out, you do need to create a FedLoans account, as they are the PSLF servicer. Mine are now with Mohela, and apparently the Dept of Ed will have them transferred to FedLoans to handle the PSLF portion.

I'm with Mohela as well - did you get communication to set up the Fed Loans account or did you just go ahead and do it?

[pumpkin]

Nov 18, 2021 12:20:53 GMT -5 Mushe said:

pumpkin, as I understand what’s come out, you do need to create a FedLoans account, as they are the PSLF servicer. Mine are now with Mohela, and apparently the Dept of Ed will have them transferred to FedLoans to handle the PSLF portion.

Thanks! I feel like I’m going in circles.

[lucky3]

Nov 18, 2021 14:40:47 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Nov 18, 2021 12:20:53 GMT -5 Mushe said:

pumpkin , as I understand what’s come out, you do need to create a FedLoans account, as they are the PSLF servicer. Mine are now with Mohela, and apparently the Dept of Ed will have them transferred to FedLoans to handle the PSLF portion.

I'm with Mohela as well - did you get communication to set up the Fed Loans account or did you just go ahead and do it?

I’m with Mohela and just creates a FedLoand account. My account shows they received my application on 11/3 and they are reviewing it. I’m checking the website multiple times a day for an update.

[Jalapeñomel]

Nov 18, 2021 14:37:04 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Nov 18, 2021 14:12:38 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Yes, I’ve double checked. I’m going to consolidate and see if that changes the repayment, but I highly doubt it.

How many years of service do you have? If it's over 10, I've read after consolidation you can ask for "administrative forbearance" while they're processing your application.

I did teacher forgiveness 3 years ago, which reset my years back to 0. So I have 2 since that program.

[Vespasia]

I tried to make a FedLoan account a few times and they keep telling me I don't exist. I don't know if that's a sign of a bigger issue or if it's just because my application is still under review.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 18, 2021 15:50:00 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Nov 18, 2021 14:37:04 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

How many years of service do you have? If it's over 10, I've read after consolidation you can ask for "administrative forbearance" while they're processing your application.

I did teacher forgiveness 3 years ago, which reset my years back to 0. So I have 2 since that program.

Well crap.

I hope that once they get through this nonsense over the next year, they do a huge overhaul of the program because it's obviously still so broken.

[Mushe]

Nov 18, 2021 14:40:47 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Nov 18, 2021 12:20:53 GMT -5 Mushe said:

pumpkin , as I understand what’s come out, you do need to create a FedLoans account, as they are the PSLF servicer. Mine are now with Mohela, and apparently the Dept of Ed will have them transferred to FedLoans to handle the PSLF portion.

I'm with Mohela as well - did you get communication to set up the Fed Loans account or did you just go ahead and do it?

The big FB group says that you won’t be able to set up an account until they transfer, but I saw that after I just proactively set one up. I’m not sure why, but some say they couldn’t do that. I was able to upload my application through that account, but I had already mailed it in too.

Apparently you will eventually get a notice to open an account once your consolidation goes through, or the DOE transfers them from Mohela if you don’t have any to consolidate.

[gretchenindisguise]

Copying this from the CE&P Thread in case someone isn't reading them both. I think this will directly impact me because they lost my payments from 2010-2013, but my studentaid.gov account shows the loans as "in repayment" from 2010.

“This week, the Department also clarified how it will go about counting “payments” for purposes of the Limited PSLF Waiver. Rather than going back and using a loan servicer’s actual payment history for a borrower, the Department confirmed that it will simply use a borrower’s repayment status as reported to Federal Student Aid.

“You may receive credits for any month after Oct. 2007 that you had qualifying employment and were in an ‘In Repayment’ status,” says the Department. “Past periods of repayment will now count regardless of whether you made a payment, made that payment on time, for the full amount due, on a qualifying repayment plan.”

www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2021/11/18/student-loan-forgiveness-education-department-clarifies-rules-for-expanded-new-program/amp/?fbclid=IwAR2n2JS2_8IX5k1_QoMUvu6oDKjWYlSzsqxkKIxC4TgkmD55Fj-IQYVQgsA

[bex1973]

Nov 18, 2021 15:57:10 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Nov 18, 2021 14:40:47 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

I'm with Mohela as well - did you get communication to set up the Fed Loans account or did you just go ahead and do it?

The big FB group says that you won’t be able to set up an account until they transfer, but I saw that after I just proactively set one up. I’m not sure why, but some say they couldn’t do that. I was able to upload my application through that account, but I had already mailed it in too.

Apparently you will eventually get a notice to open an account once your consolidation goes through, or the DOE transfers them from Mohela if you don’t have any to consolidate.

Ok I'm going to give it a shot. Thanks!

I did log into Mohela and it doesn't show any changes.

[pumpkin]

Nov 18, 2021 15:51:29 GMT -5 Vespasia said:

I tried to make a FedLoan account a few times and they keep telling me I don't exist. I don't know if that's a sign of a bigger issue or if it's just because my application is still under review.

Not that I’m glad you’re having this issue but I’m trying to create my account and it’s telling me my last name, date of birth, and SSN are incorrect. Um, they’re the only ones I have. 🤦‍♀️

[pumpkin]

Nov 18, 2021 15:57:10 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Nov 18, 2021 14:40:47 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

I'm with Mohela as well - did you get communication to set up the Fed Loans account or did you just go ahead and do it?

The big FB group says that you won’t be able to set up an account until they transfer, but I saw that after I just proactively set one up. I’m not sure why, but some say they couldn’t do that. I was able to upload my application through that account, but I had already mailed it in too.

Apparently you will eventually get a notice to open an account once your consolidation goes through, or the DOE transfers them from Mohela if you don’t have any to consolidate.

Hmmm, I wonder if this kind of why they think I don’t exist and can’t create an account. My Fed loans are with a different servicer, but are already consolidated as I did that when I graduated in 2005. And I’ve submitted my PSLF form so thought I should proactively create a Fed loans account, but maybe not….

[wildrice]

Nov 17, 2021 20:18:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Nov 17, 2021 7:05:03 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Well, mine were denied. Ugh. I don't think that is correct, so i need to call them. They are not counting anything before November 2010, even though I paid for 2 years before that while working for a qualifying employer. And even after 2010 a bunch of my payments are eligible but not qualifying, which makes no sense.

I hope they are helpful on the phone. I have never had a good experience speaking with them in the past.

ETA: I don't know why I am surprised that this program is still a mess. It appears that they believe I was in forbearance for almost 2 years from 2011-2013, which I am 100% certain was not correct. I do recall doing a 6 month forbearance at some point that may have been around 2011 but it definitely was not for 2 years. Of course, this was a decade ago when I thought I wasn't going to be eligible for PSLF anyway, so I don't have any records. It is also not counting anything from before my loans became direct loans in 2010, even though I believe from my reading that my previous payments (which were consolidated, federal loans) should qualify too.

Additionally, even though they have the dates of my employment that has been verified in one place on my account, there are some payments that are showing "needs employment verification" that fall within those dates on the payment tracker. So they should qualify.

All in all I think if I can get this straightened out, I'll still be eligible. 

I just submitted to foia for my loan payment history. If you join the fb group, they have an easy step by step of how to do it. I am also missing m loan history prior to 2013.

I'm quoting you again in case this is helpful to you too  - I actually logged into my account at studentaid.gov, and it doesn't show each individual payment on my loans BUT it does show dates of when I've been in and out of forbearance over the years. So it clearly shows that I started paying in December 2008, took forbearance from September 2011-February 2012, and that I've been in repayment for all of the other months up until the COVID changes. So, hopefully they can reconcile those records (which match my memory). I'm actually waiting on hold right now to try to talk to them about reviewing my account...

I am back to being hopeful. I am estimating I may have up to 20 or so qualifying payments beyond the 120 requirement so I may even get a refund? This is a rollercoaster lol.

[underwaterrhymes]

Nov 17, 2021 20:02:22 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Ok, I have some questions, sorry! I had not been paying attention closely b/c I didn’t think my H would qualify. I don’t have loans.

His loans have been consolidated since 2008, they are with Nelnet. He has been working at the same non-profit hospital paying monthly loans since fall 2008.

Is this something we should look into? Should he start by calling nelnet?

Thanks

Wait wait wait. I also have Nelnet and thought I didn’t qualify. Did you find that your H did? I’ve been in nonprofit for more than 15 years…

[underwaterrhymes]

Nov 18, 2021 20:09:19 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Nov 18, 2021 20:00:41 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Wait wait wait. I also have Nelnet and thought I didn’t qualify. Did you find that your H did? I’ve been in nonprofit for more than 15 years…

Google said nelnet was a federal student loan servicer. I also read that if your interests rates are below 8.25% it’s likely federal, and his are 2.75%. I could very, VERY well be wrong. What makes you think they aren’t federal?

Mine are 4.75%.

I don’t know why I didn’t think they were federal. I must have googled something and since no one was getting them a few years ago, decided it wasn’t worth exploring further and then somehow convinced myself my loans were not the right ones. They’re subsidized, so I think they MUST be federal.

Holy shit.

[underwaterrhymes]

Nov 18, 2021 20:15:19 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Nov 18, 2021 20:12:32 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Mine are 4.75%.

I don’t know why I didn’t think they were federal. I must have googled something and since no one was getting them a few years ago, decided it wasn’t worth exploring further and then somehow convinced myself my loans were not the right ones. They’re subsidized, so I think they MUST be federal.

Holy shit.

Yay!!!! ❤️ He hasn’t started the process, let’s keep each other posted!

Haha, you made my night. I’ve been so bitter lololol.

H is going to dig deeper too since he’s been in libraries for well over a decade himself.

If we could get this after all, this would be incredible.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 18, 2021 19:53:16 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Nov 17, 2021 20:18:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

I just submitted to foia for my loan payment history. If you join the fb group, they have an easy step by step of how to do it. I am also missing m loan history prior to 2013.

I'm quoting you again in case this is helpful to you too  - I actually logged into my account at studentaid.gov, and it doesn't show each individual payment on my loans BUT it does show dates of when I've been in and out of forbearance over the years. So it clearly shows that I started paying in December 2008, took forbearance from September 2011-February 2012, and that I've been in repayment for all of the other months up until the COVID changes. So, hopefully they can reconcile those records (which match my memory). I'm actually waiting on hold right now to try to talk to them about reviewing my account...

I am back to being hopeful. I am estimating I may have up to 20 or so qualifying payments beyond the 120 requirement so I may even get a refund? This is a rollercoaster lol.

They just gave clearer guidance that they should only count “in repayment” time. When you get through, I’d ask them to review your account with that new guidance.

My stupid loans were transferred from FedLoan out to Mohela even though they had received my pslf application. So now I guess I have to wait for them to transfer back again 🤦‍♀️

[wildrice]

Nov 18, 2021 21:00:13 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Nov 18, 2021 19:53:16 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I'm quoting you again in case this is helpful to you too  - I actually logged into my account at studentaid.gov, and it doesn't show each individual payment on my loans BUT it does show dates of when I've been in and out of forbearance over the years. So it clearly shows that I started paying in December 2008, took forbearance from September 2011-February 2012, and that I've been in repayment for all of the other months up until the COVID changes. So, hopefully they can reconcile those records (which match my memory). I'm actually waiting on hold right now to try to talk to them about reviewing my account...

I am back to being hopeful. I am estimating I may have up to 20 or so qualifying payments beyond the 120 requirement so I may even get a refund? This is a rollercoaster lol.

They just gave clearer guidance that they should only count “in repayment” time. When you get through, I’d ask them to review your account with that new guidance.

My stupid loans were transferred from FedLoan out to Mohela even though they had received my pslf application. So now I guess I have to wait for them to transfer back again 🤦‍♀️

I got through and they are going to review it! I was definitely in repayment (and making payments) during that time so hopefully a review will show that. 

They also told me that it can take up to a year to review the FEELP payments that were made before Direct Loan consolidation was possible (I think this was in 2010), so I may be waiting a while to hear about those. I have 2 years of payments that aren't on my FedLoan account at all but should qualify. So... we'll see what happens.

Fingers crossed for us all that we get it eventually!

[wildrice]

Also, I was SHOCKED at how nice and calm sounding the guy on the phone at 8:40pm was! I was expecting someone to be over their job and ready to go home for the night, lol. Hopefully he actually did what he said and was both nice and competent. I've had bad experiences with calling them in the past so I'm skeptical.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 18, 2021 21:09:18 GMT -5 wildrice said:

Also, I was SHOCKED at how nice and calm sounding the guy on the phone at 8:40pm was! I was expecting someone to be over their job and ready to go home for the night, lol. Hopefully he actually did what he said and was both nice and competent. I've had bad experiences with calling them in the past so I'm skeptical.

Nice! Maybe I’ll give them a call about getting my loans back into the right place.