PSLF

[Jalapeñomel]

I received an update on my payment counts today, and it says 42 need employment verification. All of my payments have been made under the same employer so I’m not quite sure why some counted and others didn’t?

[mention]gretchenindisguise [/mention]

[okla]

I got updated payment counts today too! Looks like they didn’t count the deferment months or the possible long forbearance periods yet. But all else looks good. I have 114 qualifying, so even without the deferment/forbearance months, I can certify employment for March-August and be done! Never have to pay again!!!

[gretchenindisguise]

Jun 28, 2022 5:56:45 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I received an update on my payment counts today, and it says 42 need employment verification. All of my payments have been made under the same employer so I’m not quite sure why some counted and others didn’t?

[mention]gretchenindisguise [/mention]

Woohoo!!

They are doing things incredibly piecemeal right now. Hang tight and those should be updated in the next week or two.

[pumpkin]

Hmmm, my payment count updated to 115, but I haven’t had time to delve into what’s not counted. I’ve been consolidated and paying since 2006, but only have a qualifying employer since 6/09, but that should still be more than enough.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jun 28, 2022 11:12:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jun 28, 2022 5:56:45 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I received an update on my payment counts today, and it says 42 need employment verification. All of my payments have been made under the same employer so I’m not quite sure why some counted and others didn’t?

[mention]gretchenindisguise [/mention]

Woohoo!!

They are doing things incredibly piecemeal right now. Hang tight and those should be updated in the next week or two.

Got it! Thank you!!

[gretchenindisguise]

Jun 28, 2022 11:57:03 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Hmmm, my payment count updated to 115, but I haven’t had time to delve into what’s not counted. I’ve been consolidated and paying since 2006, but only have a qualifying employer since 6/09, but that should still be more than enough.

It may be the same issue jalepenomel posted about. They're doing things incredibly piecemeal, for reasons I don't understand. Lots are reporting that chunks of months/years aren't showing on initial counts and then within 2 weeks it's all counted. So they may have worked for the same employer from 2010-2022, and 2010-2014 are counting, 2016-2022 are counting, but the years 2014-2016 are missing for no apparent reason. It was all qualifying, on the same ecf, etc. 

I can't explain why it's happening, but I can say that they've all been corrected within a week or two.

[pumpkin]

Jun 28, 2022 12:26:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jun 28, 2022 11:57:03 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Hmmm, my payment count updated to 115, but I haven’t had time to delve into what’s not counted. I’ve been consolidated and paying since 2006, but only have a qualifying employer since 6/09, but that should still be more than enough.

It may be the same issue jalepenomel posted about. They're doing things incredibly piecemeal, for reasons I don't understand. Lots are reporting that chunks of months/years aren't showing on initial counts and then within 2 weeks it's all counted. So they may have worked for the same employer from 2010-2022, and 2010-2014 are counting, 2016-2022 are counting, but the years 2014-2016 are missing for no apparent reason. It was all qualifying, on the same ecf, etc. 

I can't explain why it's happening, but I can say that they've all been corrected within a week or two.

I like this answer, thanks! I’ll keep waiting.

[pumpkin]

Jun 28, 2022 13:07:58 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Jun 28, 2022 12:26:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

It may be the same issue jalepenomel posted about. They're doing things incredibly piecemeal, for reasons I don't understand. Lots are reporting that chunks of months/years aren't showing on initial counts and then within 2 weeks it's all counted. So they may have worked for the same employer from 2010-2022, and 2010-2014 are counting, 2016-2022 are counting, but the years 2014-2016 are missing for no apparent reason. It was all qualifying, on the same ecf, etc. 

I can't explain why it's happening, but I can say that they've all been corrected within a week or two.

I like this answer, thanks! I’ll keep waiting.

Today I got a letter with an updated count which shows that I’m at 150 qualifying payments and that the “estimated eligibility date for PSLF” is 5/2019. But it doesn’t say anything about them being forgiven, etc. and my account still shows the balance of the loans.

Does this mean they have finally done the count and now I just have to wait for someone to put the pieces together and waive the magic forgiveness wand? And that I might get $ back?

Just trying to understand the process and possible timeframes still to wait.

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 5, 2022 20:18:56 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Jun 28, 2022 13:07:58 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

I like this answer, thanks! I’ll keep waiting.

Today I got a letter with an updated count which shows that I’m at 150 qualifying payments and that the “estimated eligibility date for PSLF” is 5/2019. But it doesn’t say anything about them being forgiven, etc. and my account still shows the balance of the loans.

Does this mean they have finally done the count and now I just have to wait for someone to put the pieces together and waive the magic forgiveness wand? And that I might get $ back?

Just trying to understand the process and possible timeframes still to wait.

Exactly!

Anything you paid after 5/2019 will be refunded! Hopefully forgiveness will come in the next two to four weeks. Yay!!!

[pumpkin]

Jul 5, 2022 20:24:00 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jul 5, 2022 20:18:56 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Today I got a letter with an updated count which shows that I’m at 150 qualifying payments and that the “estimated eligibility date for PSLF” is 5/2019. But it doesn’t say anything about them being forgiven, etc. and my account still shows the balance of the loans.

Does this mean they have finally done the count and now I just have to wait for someone to put the pieces together and waive the magic forgiveness wand? And that I might get $ back?

Just trying to understand the process and possible timeframes still to wait.

Exactly!

Anything you paid after 5/2019 will be refunded! Hopefully forgiveness will come in the next two to four weeks. Yay!!!

Thank you!

Here’s hoping it’s sooner than later and I can stop thinking about it. 🤞

Your patience and knowledge have been invaluable during this process. Thank you so much!

[Doggy Mommy]

Jun 28, 2022 12:26:09 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jun 28, 2022 11:57:03 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Hmmm, my payment count updated to 115, but I haven’t had time to delve into what’s not counted. I’ve been consolidated and paying since 2006, but only have a qualifying employer since 6/09, but that should still be more than enough.

It may be the same issue jalepenomel posted about. They're doing things incredibly piecemeal, for reasons I don't understand. Lots are reporting that chunks of months/years aren't showing on initial counts and then within 2 weeks it's all counted. So they may have worked for the same employer from 2010-2022, and 2010-2014 are counting, 2016-2022 are counting, but the years 2014-2016 are missing for no apparent reason. It was all qualifying, on the same ecf, etc. 

I can't explain why it's happening, but I can say that they've all been corrected within a week or two.

This is happening to me too. Some payments have been counted, some haven't. One employer has been certified, one hasn't. None of my payments before 2011 have been counted. I called and the person wasn't super helpful. She put some notes in for someone to look at it again or something but basically said I just have to wait. At this point I'm just getting good at waiting.

[m15]

How do I know if my employer has been certified? I've been at the same employer since 2002. My PSLF form was received in 3/31. I waited on hold for 2 hours last week to have them tell me there's no definitive timeline for any of it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I consolidated back in November, and then had to change payment plans, so it is only showing four payments as counting. Is that what you are all talking about when it says that those things get updated?

Finally, since I consolidated (finalized in March), I haven't made a payment because it said one wasn't due. Should I still be paying that? I feel like a complete idiot, but don't want to screw anything up!

This is the most frustrating process ever.

[brady2012]

Jul 6, 2022 9:42:43 GMT -5 m15 said:

How do I know if my employer has been certified? I've been at the same employer since 2002. My PSLF form was received in 3/31. I waited on hold for 2 hours last week to have them tell me there's no definitive timeline for any of it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I consolidated back in November, and then had to change payment plans, so it is only showing four payments as counting. Is that what you are all talking about when it says that those things get updated?

Finally, since I consolidated (finalized in March), I haven't made a payment because it said one wasn't due. Should I still be paying that? I feel like a complete idiot, but don't want to screw anything up!

This is the most frustrating process ever.

I have a similar timeline to you.  I just got a letter last week showing my approved eligible employment to dates.  I've worked for 2 government entities without disruption for 11 years and all of the service was included in what is listed.  The only PSLF payments listed as eligible are the 3 months since I consolidated (I haven't actually made any of those payment since they were during the period of forbearance that runs thru Aug 2022).  Unless it says there is a payment due, you don't have to pay.

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 6, 2022 9:42:43 GMT -5 m15 said:

How do I know if my employer has been certified? I've been at the same employer since 2002. My PSLF form was received in 3/31. I waited on hold for 2 hours last week to have them tell me there's no definitive timeline for any of it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I consolidated back in November, and then had to change payment plans, so it is only showing four payments as counting. Is that what you are all talking about when it says that those things get updated?

Finally, since I consolidated (finalized in March), I haven't made a payment because it said one wasn't due. Should I still be paying that? I feel like a complete idiot, but don't want to screw anything up!

This is the most frustrating process ever.

On the letter where it shows that you have 4 payments, I believe the employment they certified is included in the next block of information (I’m not at home right now so can’t verify, but I think that’s where the information is).

The 4 payments they have certified are the ones FedLoan can see and are thus only post consolidation, because that’s the loan FedLoan currently holds and has access to. Your information now gets passed to the Dept of Ed and they add in all of your counts pre-consolidation. Sometimes it takes 2 weeks between fedloan and dept of ed, sometimes it takes 5 months. Most seem to be in the 2-4 week timeframe.

So yeah, you’re just in another waiting spot, but it’s a good waiting place to be.

And you are correct - no payments are currently due on direct loans (which yours are now because of consolidation). These paused payments count for pslf purposes, so don’t send them any money- you’d be literally burning it. But remember that pslf employment is only certified retroactively, meaning from the date of employer signature and into the past. If you need those months to count, you’ll need to have your employer sign again. I’d probably hold off until you have a Mohela account and can upload it directly to them.

Eta: also many are experiencing their payment counts added piecemeal and a delay between them showing up as eligible and qualifying. So people will see 3 years of payments show up and then a week later 2 more years and a week later two more years. And often times this missing information is not chronological, just random years in the middle for no apparent reason. And the payments will sometimes show up as eligible first, even though your employment is actually already certified, and then a day or so later it transfers to qualifying.

[m15]

Jul 6, 2022 12:28:34 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jul 6, 2022 9:42:43 GMT -5 m15 said:

How do I know if my employer has been certified? I've been at the same employer since 2002. My PSLF form was received in 3/31. I waited on hold for 2 hours last week to have them tell me there's no definitive timeline for any of it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I consolidated back in November, and then had to change payment plans, so it is only showing four payments as counting. Is that what you are all talking about when it says that those things get updated?

Finally, since I consolidated (finalized in March), I haven't made a payment because it said one wasn't due. Should I still be paying that? I feel like a complete idiot, but don't want to screw anything up!

This is the most frustrating process ever.

On the letter where it shows that you have 4 payments, I believe the employment they certified is included in the next block of information (I’m not at home right now so can’t verify, but I think that’s where the information is).

The 4 payments they have certified are the ones FedLoan can see and are thus only post consolidation, because that’s the loan FedLoan currently holds and has access to. Your information now gets passed to the Dept of Ed and they add in all of your counts pre-consolidation. Sometimes it takes 2 weeks between fedloan and dept of ed, sometimes it takes 5 months. Most seem to be in the 2-4 week timeframe.

So yeah, you’re just in another waiting spot, but it’s a good waiting place to be.

And you are correct - no payments are currently due on direct loans (which yours are now because of consolidation). These paused payments count for pslf purposes, so don’t send them any money- you’d be literally burning it. But remember that pslf employment is only certified retroactively, meaning from the date of employer signature and into the past. If you need those months to count, you’ll need to have your employer sign again. I’d probably hold off until you have a Mohela account and can upload it directly to them.

Eta: also many are experiencing their payment counts added piecemeal and a delay between them showing up as eligible and qualifying. So people will see 3 years of payments show up and then a week later 2 more years and a week later two more years. And often times this missing information is not chronological, just random years in the middle for no apparent reason. And the payments will sometimes show up as eligible first, even though your employment is actually already certified, and then a day or so later it transfers to qualifying.

Thank you so much! I haven't received a paper letter yet showing the payments. I only see them in my account because I check it every couple of weeks. I will wait for the paper letter and see what it says.

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 6, 2022 13:39:38 GMT -5 m15 said:

Jul 6, 2022 12:28:34 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

On the letter where it shows that you have 4 payments, I believe the employment they certified is included in the next block of information (I’m not at home right now so can’t verify, but I think that’s where the information is).

The 4 payments they have certified are the ones FedLoan can see and are thus only post consolidation, because that’s the loan FedLoan currently holds and has access to. Your information now gets passed to the Dept of Ed and they add in all of your counts pre-consolidation. Sometimes it takes 2 weeks between fedloan and dept of ed, sometimes it takes 5 months. Most seem to be in the 2-4 week timeframe.

So yeah, you’re just in another waiting spot, but it’s a good waiting place to be.

And you are correct - no payments are currently due on direct loans (which yours are now because of consolidation). These paused payments count for pslf purposes, so don’t send them any money- you’d be literally burning it. But remember that pslf employment is only certified retroactively, meaning from the date of employer signature and into the past. If you need those months to count, you’ll need to have your employer sign again. I’d probably hold off until you have a Mohela account and can upload it directly to them.

Eta: also many are experiencing their payment counts added piecemeal and a delay between them showing up as eligible and qualifying. So people will see 3 years of payments show up and then a week later 2 more years and a week later two more years. And often times this missing information is not chronological, just random years in the middle for no apparent reason. And the payments will sometimes show up as eligible first, even though your employment is actually already certified, and then a day or so later it transfers to qualifying.

Thank you so much! I haven't received a paper letter yet showing the payments. I only see them in my account because I check it every couple of weeks. I will wait for the paper letter and see what it says.

Ah got it. You may see it in your online mailbox.

[okla]

Jul 6, 2022 13:41:52 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jul 6, 2022 13:39:38 GMT -5 m15 said:

Thank you so much! I haven't received a paper letter yet showing the payments. I only see them in my account because I check it every couple of weeks. I will wait for the paper letter and see what it says.

Ah got it. You may see it in your online mailbox.

Yes, I never got a paper letter or even an email notification, but did have the letter in my inbox when my counts first showed as 2. It took about three weeks after that to get my full count. Also didn’t get a letter or email about that.

[pokerface]

Hi all - quick question. My husband submitted his application a few days in June, right when he hit 120 payments. Just now his account says, congratulations you have made the 120 payments. Go to student aid.gov and follow the self help tool to apply for forgiveness.

I’m confused because he did apply? On the PSLF tracker page it shows the trophies, which I understand to be a good sign. Just need to understand if we need to take additional action or are we waiting for them. Appreciate any advice!

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 8, 2022 14:49:57 GMT -5 pokerface said:

Hi all - quick question. My husband submitted his application a few days in June, right when he hit 120 payments. Just now his account says, congratulations you have made the 120 payments. Go to student aid.gov and follow the self help tool to apply for forgiveness.

I’m confused because he did apply? On the PSLF tracker page it shows the trophies, which I understand to be a good sign. Just need to understand if we need to take additional action or are we waiting for them. Appreciate any advice!

Yay! Congratulations!!

Nothing to do now but wait. For some it takes 2 weeks from trophies to forgiveness, for others it takes 3 months. I haven't 100% figured out the rhyme or reason yet, but have a theory or two.

Hopefully your H is in the straightforward batch and you see forgiveness quickly!

[pokerface]

Thank you so much! This thread has been very helpful, and I’m hopeful that everyone will get their forgiveness soon!

[underwaterrhymes]

gretchenindisguise - I have seen people mention that they have a section where they can track their PSLF status when they log in. I don’t have this. All I can see is that they have received my PSLF application on 5/2. I know that the process is taking 3-4 months and I still have some time. Also, my consolidation was rejected because I only have one loan with Nelnet.

Should I be worried? Or will that PSLF tracking section show up when they start working on my application?

[okla]

Jul 10, 2022 7:29:54 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

gretchenindisguise - I have seen people mention that they have a section where they can track their PSLF status when they log in. I don’t have this. All I can see is that they have received my PSLF application on 5/2. I know that the process is taking 3-4 months and I still have some time. Also, my consolidation was rejected because I only have one loan with Nelnet.

Should I be worried? Or will that PSLF tracking section show up when they start working on my application?

The tracking shows up when they start working on it. Took 3ish months from date my app was received to when I got a tracker.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 10, 2022 8:42:39 GMT -5 okla said:

Jul 10, 2022 7:29:54 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

gretchenindisguise - I have seen people mention that they have a section where they can track their PSLF status when they log in. I don’t have this. All I can see is that they have received my PSLF application on 5/2. I know that the process is taking 3-4 months and I still have some time. Also, my consolidation was rejected because I only have one loan with Nelnet.

Should I be worried? Or will that PSLF tracking section show up when they start working on my application?

The tracking shows up when they start working on it. Took 3ish months from date my app was received to when I got a tracker.

Thank you so much. That’s kind of what I thought, but I appreciate the confirmation.

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 10, 2022 7:29:54 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

gretchenindisguise - I have seen people mention that they have a section where they can track their PSLF status when they log in. I don’t have this. All I can see is that they have received my PSLF application on 5/2. I know that the process is taking 3-4 months and I still have some time. Also, my consolidation was rejected because I only have one loan with Nelnet.

Should I be worried? Or will that PSLF tracking section show up when they start working on my application?

In addition to what the previous poster said, I'd expect your loans to transfer to Mohela before you get your first (inaccurate) counts. They will eventually be found on Mohela, but we don't have any examples of it yet. Hopefully we'll know more about the Mohela process soon.

[m15]

Question about employment verification. My letter says employment began 8/2002 and ended 3/2022. Is that just because that's when they verified it? I am still employed at the same place.

[bex1973]

Jul 11, 2022 13:26:44 GMT -5 m15 said:

Question about employment verification. My letter says employment began 8/2002 and ended 3/2022. Is that just because that's when they verified it? I am still employed at the same place.

Mine had a weird date thing too and forgiveness went through, I think there isn't a way for them to do 8/02 - present in their system.

[okla]

Jul 11, 2022 13:26:44 GMT -5 m15 said:

Question about employment verification. My letter says employment began 8/2002 and ended 3/2022. Is that just because that's when they verified it? I am still employed at the same place.

Yes, they can only verify through when your current employer signed the paperwork.

[chocolatepie]

We are late to the game and just started the process for my loans - I didn't realize I qualified until a couple weeks ago. Grrr. I am fearful of running out of time.

We followed the steps to consolidate my loans as soon as we realized I qualified. Today, I got paperwork in the mail that they received it and it included the PSLF application form. I logged into Navient and my loans are still there, but it said "Important: Your U.S. Department of Education (ED) owned loans are now being serviced at aidvantage.com." at the top. I logged in there, and it's showing no loans or history.

Does that mean things are in process of moving over? And can I begin the application for the PSLF now or do I wait until I see the loans disappear from the Navient website?

I'm feeling overwhelmed and completely behind :/

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 11, 2022 21:18:47 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

We are late to the game and just started the process for my loans - I didn't realize I qualified until a couple weeks ago. Grrr. I am fearful of running out of time.

We followed the steps to consolidate my loans as soon as we realized I qualified. Today, I got paperwork in the mail that they received it and it included the PSLF application form. I logged into Navient and my loans are still there, but it said "Important: Your U.S. Department of Education (ED) owned loans are now being serviced at aidvantage.com." at the top. I logged in there, and it's showing no loans or history.

Does that mean things are in process of moving over? And can I begin the application for the PSLF now or do I wait until I see the loans disappear from the Navient website?

I'm feeling overwhelmed and completely behind :/

Yay! I'm so glad you've begun the process. You are definitely not late.

Usually loans are "in the cloud" for 2-3 weeks between servicers while everything is getting sorted. They will eventually head to Mohela who is the new pslf servicer.

You're probably safe to send in the pslf form. Since you've never had FedLoan, you'll send it in to Mohela. I believe they have updated the form to include their address.

It's taking right around 120 days for those forms to be processed right now, but I don't know if it'll speed up once Mohela gets really started with things or not. I also don't know what exactly things will look like in Mohela.

The fb group is a wealth of knowledge, with lots of great information in the guides and featured posts, but it's also a lot of information they may not apply to you.

[underwaterrhymes]

I just found out my employment has been approved and my loans are transferring so they can count my payments!

I’ve been paying consistently since late 2007, so there should be no problems there.

I’m so freaking excited!