PSLF

[kimmyo73]

Aug 4, 2022 8:22:32 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Aug 4, 2022 8:12:28 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

OMG - I have payment counts on FedLoan. This is completely new. I'm fighting tears of joy at the moment.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is only counting 2 payments but damn at least it is something after waiting so long.

There might be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

[bex1973]

Aug 4, 2022 8:26:58 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Aug 4, 2022 8:22:32 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is only counting 2 payments but damn at least it is something after waiting so long.

There might be light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I only had a handful for the longest time but then BAM it was done! Fingers crossed it moves quickly from here friend!

[klingklang77]

I don’t know if this was answered yet, but I just started looking into this loan forgiveness stuff. I am currently on IDR (application is in progress) and then I was on the phone today with them because my paperwork is a bit messy since paystubs are in German, etc. The woman I spoke to today said I can apply for PSLF because I have been off and on paying and going between IDR/IBR for about 15 years. I thought I had to have made 120 payments and she said no. 

She explained that I need to consolidate to a direct loan, but I told her I want to get the IDR sorted first because I am moving across the country for a new job this month and I will have temporary accommodation until I find an apartment, etc. 

Does this sound correct? I searched the thread, so sorry if this is repetitive. 

[ellipses84]

Aug 4, 2022 10:49:30 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

I don’t know if this was answered yet, but I just started looking into this loan forgiveness stuff. I am currently on IDR (application is in progress) and then I was on the phone today with them because my paperwork is a bit messy since paystubs are in German, etc. The woman I spoke to today said I can apply for PSLF because I have been off and on paying and going between IDR/IBR for about 15 years. I thought I had to have made 120 payments and she said no. 

She explained that I need to consolidate to a direct loan, but I told her I want to get the IDR sorted first because I am moving across the country for a new job this month and I will have temporary accommodation until I find an apartment, etc. 

Does this sound correct? I searched the thread, so sorry if this is repetitive. 

I think you are running out of time and should consolidate asap. The deadline for the temporary waiver to get past payments counted is October 31st unless it gets extended, so you need to have your paperwork in before then. It’s recommended to consolidate and then submit your employment verification paperwork 30 days later so one loan doesn’t get forgiven before the consolidation goes through. If you’ve worked 120 months for a qualifying employer and made 120 months of payments since October 2007 (covid pause payments count as payments) you should be fine. Even if you don’t, you want to get the old payments grandfathered in under the waiver. Don’t worry about the payment plan type. You can always change it later if you need to make more payments. If your loans have different payment timelines and you consolidate, you will get the highest months of payments for all of them under the temporary waiver.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 4, 2022 11:12:31 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Aug 4, 2022 10:49:30 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

I don’t know if this was answered yet, but I just started looking into this loan forgiveness stuff. I am currently on IDR (application is in progress) and then I was on the phone today with them because my paperwork is a bit messy since paystubs are in German, etc. The woman I spoke to today said I can apply for PSLF because I have been off and on paying and going between IDR/IBR for about 15 years. I thought I had to have made 120 payments and she said no. 

She explained that I need to consolidate to a direct loan, but I told her I want to get the IDR sorted first because I am moving across the country for a new job this month and I will have temporary accommodation until I find an apartment, etc. 

Does this sound correct? I searched the thread, so sorry if this is repetitive. 

I think you are running out of time and should consolidate asap. The deadline for the temporary waiver to get past payments counted is October 31st unless it gets extended, so you need to have your paperwork in before then. It’s recommended to consolidate and then submit your employment verification paperwork 30 days later so one loan doesn’t get forgiven before the consolidation goes through. If you’ve worked 120 months for a qualifying employer and made 120 months of payments since October 2007 (covid pause payments count as payments) you should be fine. Even if you don’t, you want to get the old payments grandfathered in under the waiver. Don’t worry about the payment plan type. You can always change it later if you need to make more payments. If your loans have different payment timelines and you consolidate, you will get the highest months of payments for all of them under the temporary waiver.

This is exactly correct if you have been employed and/or are planning to work for a qualifying employer.

Consolidate first!!

You’ll need to do a new IDR application for a consolidated loan regardless because it’s a new loan - so it makes zero sense to get it all sorted and then do it all again. The zero dollar pause “payments” during covid count once you are consolidated to direct loans and any payment plan counts until the end of the waiver (Oct 31st) so you have time to get it sorted.

Consolidation is the very first step if you don’t have direct loans (or if you have loans with different repayment histories).

[klingklang77]

Aug 4, 2022 11:22:39 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Aug 4, 2022 11:12:31 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

I think you are running out of time and should consolidate asap. The deadline for the temporary waiver to get past payments counted is October 31st unless it gets extended, so you need to have your paperwork in before then. It’s recommended to consolidate and then submit your employment verification paperwork 30 days later so one loan doesn’t get forgiven before the consolidation goes through. If you’ve worked 120 months for a qualifying employer and made 120 months of payments since October 2007 (covid pause payments count as payments) you should be fine. Even if you don’t, you want to get the old payments grandfathered in under the waiver. Don’t worry about the payment plan type. You can always change it later if you need to make more payments. If your loans have different payment timelines and you consolidate, you will get the highest months of payments for all of them under the temporary waiver.

This is exactly correct if you have been employed and/or are planning to work for a qualifying employer.

Consolidate first!!

You’ll need to do a new IDR application for a consolidated loan regardless because it’s a new loan - so it makes zero sense to get it all sorted and then do it all again. The zero dollar pause “payments” during covid count once you are consolidated to direct loans and any payment plan counts until the end of the waiver (Oct 31st) so you have time to get it sorted.

Consolidation is the very first step if you don’t have direct loans (or if you have loans with different repayment histories).

I don’t know if I have a qualifying employer. It was adjuncting at *different* German Universities (as an English teacher), with a two year university contract thrown in. My new job is civilian service for the German Army. No one has been able to give me a straight answer because it’s a foreign job. 

The woman made it sound like it was one or the other. 

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 4, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

Aug 4, 2022 11:22:39 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

This is exactly correct if you have been employed and/or are planning to work for a qualifying employer.

Consolidate first!!

You’ll need to do a new IDR application for a consolidated loan regardless because it’s a new loan - so it makes zero sense to get it all sorted and then do it all again. The zero dollar pause “payments” during covid count once you are consolidated to direct loans and any payment plan counts until the end of the waiver (Oct 31st) so you have time to get it sorted.

Consolidation is the very first step if you don’t have direct loans (or if you have loans with different repayment histories).

I don’t know if I have a qualifying employer. It was adjuncting at *different* German Universities (as an English teacher), with a two year university contract thrown in. My new job is civilian service for the German Army. No one has been able to give me a straight answer because it’s a foreign job. 

The woman made it sound like it was one or the other. 

Ah got it. I'm 99.9% sure that won't count for pslf then.

But they are also implementing an IDR waiver that impacts you and also requires consolidation to Direct loans. I would go ahead and do that first and then the IDR application. studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment?fbclid=IwAR0Uyh5-6kosRU3gsUllEBz8rHawPPnC0WzbiadIVCdPDph2ZREL5ZplWv4

[imimahoney]

Aug 1, 2022 13:44:54 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

How have you all gotten an update from a human ? I can’t ever get anyone on the phone & this is now my 3rd email asking for an update on my paperwork :/

I called fedloan and mohella and spoke to a person each time.

[pumpkin]

My remaining balance was forgiven!!! 🎉
Yay!!!

I’m super excited that some finally waived the magic forgiveness wand!

Technically I think I should get some $ back, but at this point I’m just going to celebrate the balances being gone and say thank you.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 4, 2022 12:37:28 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

My remaining balance was forgiven!!! 🎉
Yay!!!

I’m super excited that some finally waived the magic forgiveness wand!

Technically I think I should get some $ back, but at this point I’m just going to celebrate the balances being gone and say thank you.

Woohoo!!! Congratulations to you!

[klingklang77]

Aug 4, 2022 12:01:18 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Aug 4, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

I don’t know if I have a qualifying employer. It was adjuncting at *different* German Universities (as an English teacher), with a two year university contract thrown in. My new job is civilian service for the German Army. No one has been able to give me a straight answer because it’s a foreign job. 

The woman made it sound like it was one or the other. 

Ah got it. I'm 99.9% sure that won't count for pslf then.

But they are also implementing an IDR waiver that impacts you and also requires consolidation to Direct loans. I would go ahead and do that first and then the IDR application. studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment?fbclid=IwAR0Uyh5-6kosRU3gsUllEBz8rHawPPnC0WzbiadIVCdPDph2ZREL5ZplWv4

Thank you! This is basically what she was talking about. I have a number to call, but she said getting through on the phone is difficult. The woman that helped me today was great!
I will read through the link in detail, but after skimming it looks like I have until January 1st to consolidate. Have I got that right?

Thanks you so much! 

[bex1973]

Aug 4, 2022 12:37:28 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

My remaining balance was forgiven!!! 🎉
Yay!!!

I’m super excited that some finally waived the magic forgiveness wand!

Technically I think I should get some $ back, but at this point I’m just going to celebrate the balances being gone and say thank you.

HOORAY!!

[ellipses84]

Aug 4, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

Aug 4, 2022 11:22:39 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

This is exactly correct if you have been employed and/or are planning to work for a qualifying employer.

Consolidate first!!

You’ll need to do a new IDR application for a consolidated loan regardless because it’s a new loan - so it makes zero sense to get it all sorted and then do it all again. The zero dollar pause “payments” during covid count once you are consolidated to direct loans and any payment plan counts until the end of the waiver (Oct 31st) so you have time to get it sorted.

Consolidation is the very first step if you don’t have direct loans (or if you have loans with different repayment histories).

I don’t know if I have a qualifying employer. It was adjuncting at *different* German Universities (as an English teacher), with a two year university contract thrown in. My new job is civilian service for the German Army. No one has been able to give me a straight answer because it’s a foreign job. 

The woman made it sound like it was one or the other. 

Those may not count. Your employer who pays your paychecks needs to be a US employer who is a non-profit or government agency (and schools count as that). It is possible if you were paid by a US university who had a reciprocal agreement with a German University…but if you have to be paid directly by the German University for visa reasons I don’t think it will count.

[ellipses84]

Aug 4, 2022 12:37:28 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

My remaining balance was forgiven!!! 🎉
Yay!!!

I’m super excited that some finally waived the magic forgiveness wand!

Technically I think I should get some $ back, but at this point I’m just going to celebrate the balances being gone and say thank you.

Congrats!!!🎉

[klingklang77]

Aug 4, 2022 15:46:10 GMT -5 ellipses84 said:

Aug 4, 2022 11:33:39 GMT -5 klingklang77 said:

I don’t know if I have a qualifying employer. It was adjuncting at *different* German Universities (as an English teacher), with a two year university contract thrown in. My new job is civilian service for the German Army. No one has been able to give me a straight answer because it’s a foreign job. 

The woman made it sound like it was one or the other. 

Those may not count. Your employer who pays your paychecks needs to be a US employer who is a non-profit or government agency (and schools count as that). It is possible if you were paid by a US university who had a reciprocal agreement with a German University…but if you have to be paid directly by the German University for visa reasons I don’t think it will count.

Yeah, I’m paid by the German state government mostly. There were some private universities, but it was mostly public universities. I’ll now be paid by the federal government going forward. I’ll follow the link a PPer left and see what happens. 

[heygrey]

klingklang77, update if you are eligible. I’m almost certain you aren’t, but if there is a loophole I’m missing I want to know!

I have lived/worked in Canada for nonprofits or in public education since 2009. If I did these jobs in the states I would definitely qualify, but from everything I’ve read, I do not. The purpose of pslf was for public servants in the US.

[klingklang77]

Aug 5, 2022 9:32:24 GMT -5 heygrey said:

klingklang77 , update if you are eligible. I’m almost certain you aren’t, but if there is a loophole I’m missing I want to know!

I have lived/worked in Canada for nonprofits or in public education since 2009. If I did these jobs in the states I would definitely qualify, but from everything I’ve read, I do not. The purpose of pslf was for public servants in the US.

Will do. Did you check the link that was posted above? It’s a different qualification if I understand correctly. 

[carriebear822]

So my husband got his refund after his loans were forgiven on 6/14/22. The checks (con and uncon) were dated 8/8/22 and received on 8/11/22.

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my posts and helped give directions or moral support.

[gretchenindisguise]

Congratulations carriebear822,! I'm glad this chapter is fully closed for your family!

[chocolatepie]

Help. I listened to my DH who was adamant the form only called for one employer and therefore I didn't need previous employers completing it, too. I was overwhelmed with other stuff at the time so I took his word for it, had my current employer sign it, and mailed it.

Clearly, he was wrong.

Can I have my former employers complete it and mail it separately? Or do I need to have my current employer complete it again and send all of them in together?

[okla]

Aug 15, 2022 20:40:12 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

Help. I listened to my DH who was adamant the form only called for one employer and therefore I didn't need previous employers completing it, too. I was overwhelmed with other stuff at the time so I took his word for it, had my current employer sign it, and mailed it.

Clearly, he was wrong.

Can I have my former employers complete it and mail it separately? Or do I need to have my current employer complete it again and send all of them in together?

I submitted one former employer separately about a month after a packet of 3 others because they took a while to send my signed form back to me. It was fine, and both forms got processed at the same time. Make sure you include the first page with all your information and signature.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 15, 2022 20:40:12 GMT -5 chocolatepie said:

Help. I listened to my DH who was adamant the form only called for one employer and therefore I didn't need previous employers completing it, too. I was overwhelmed with other stuff at the time so I took his word for it, had my current employer sign it, and mailed it.

Clearly, he was wrong.

Can I have my former employers complete it and mail it separately? Or do I need to have my current employer complete it again and send all of them in together?

No biggie!

They only know when/where you were employed when you tell them. Have every employer fill out page 2. If it’s just one more, submit it with page 1. If it’s more than one, you can either submit as a package (one page 1 and multiple page 2s) or submit them as you get them (page 1 and employer specific page 2 for each one).

I did not have the same experience as the pp. Mine were all processed in the order they were received and not together if they weren’t submitted together.

The good news is that your first submission will trigger the waiver application. The other payments will show as “needs employment certification” so as soon as they process the new forms, they’ll easily switch from eligible to qualifying.

I dk how long ago you submitted, but if you still have a fedloan account and can upload - upload to them. All other cases - send to Mohela. Their address/fax is on the form. If you have a Mohela account - upload to them.

[kimmyo73]

Anyone have any movement recently? I'm stuck again with no action on my application. And I'm impatient. Throw me a bone and tell me you are seeing any action on your own process.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 19, 2022 11:17:02 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Anyone have any movement recently? I'm stuck again with no action on my application. And I'm impatient. Throw me a bone and tell me you are seeing any action on your own process.

I think with the mohela transfer most are in a holding pattern right now.

Remind me where are you in the process? If you're still with FedLoan I'm anticipating a batch of forgiveness/trophies/counts next week given when the last batch was (a month ago).

If you're already with Mohela or with someone else I think you'll just have to wait.

[kimmyo73]

Aug 19, 2022 17:03:22 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Aug 19, 2022 11:17:02 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Anyone have any movement recently? I'm stuck again with no action on my application. And I'm impatient. Throw me a bone and tell me you are seeing any action on your own process.

I think with the mohela transfer most are in a holding pattern right now.

Remind me where are you in the process? If you're still with FedLoan I'm anticipating a batch of forgiveness/trophies/counts next week given when the last batch was (a month ago).

If you're already with Mohela or with someone else I think you'll just have to wait.

I'm still with FedLoan and have repeatedly checked my status with transfer to Mohela and gotten no movement there.  I also haven't gotten any initial notification about my transfer being put in motion.

[NewOrleans]

Aug 19, 2022 11:17:02 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Anyone have any movement recently? I'm stuck again with no action on my application. And I'm impatient. Throw me a bone and tell me you are seeing any action on your own process.

No.  It’s been 6 months. My last communication was in June that I would be transferred to Mohela. As I’ve been with Mohela for a long time, I know they mean my application rather than my loans.  I’m so glum about it all. 😔

[pumpkin]

Aug 22, 2022 15:49:25 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Aug 19, 2022 11:17:02 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Anyone have any movement recently? I'm stuck again with no action on my application. And I'm impatient. Throw me a bone and tell me you are seeing any action on your own process.

No.  It’s been 6 months. My last communication was in June that I would be transferred to Mohela. As I’ve been with Mohela for a long time, I know they mean my application rather than my loans.  I’m so glum about it all. 😔

If it makes you feel better, I applied in mid-Nov 2021 and my loans were forgiven the very end of June 2022 and last week I got my reimbursement check. And during most that there was no movement as far as I could tell so hopefully yours are just moving along in the background like mine were.

[HoneySpider]

My current employer is FINALLY qualified! I've been waiting for 9 months. Relieved to have that done at least.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 23, 2022 7:26:38 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

My current employer is FINALLY qualified! I've been waiting for 9 months. Relieved to have that done at least.

Woohoo!! That's so great to hear. I hope the rest of the process is relatively quick and painless for you. That's a huge hurdle to overcome.

[kimmyo73]

Aug 22, 2022 17:03:08 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

Aug 22, 2022 15:49:25 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

No.  It’s been 6 months. My last communication was in June that I would be transferred to Mohela. As I’ve been with Mohela for a long time, I know they mean my application rather than my loans.  I’m so glum about it all. 😔

If it makes you feel better, I applied in mid-Nov 2021 and my loans were forgiven the very end of June 2022 and last week I got my reimbursement check. And during most that there was no movement as far as I could tell so hopefully yours are just moving along in the background like mine were.

The waiting is a mindfuck for me.  I check FedLoan repeatedly throughout the week as I sit in front of a computer nearly all day.  

By my calculations, September 2022 will be my last 'payment' but if Biden extends the pause and I am accurate in my counts, then I will never make another student loan payment.