PSLF

[reginaphalange72]

Feb 3, 2022 9:26:01 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Feb 3, 2022 8:13:27 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

ML lurker here. Thank you so much to everyone for all the helpful info on this! I never thought I would even be close to PSLF so I never considered it as an option. It's crazy to think I may have 7/10 years already covered.

One thing I'm trying to find out - does anyone know how it works if you took out an additional loan somewhere in the middle of that period? For example: I taught at a qualifying college for 5 years (while paying on all the loans I had at that time). Then I went back to school for a PhD and ended up taking out two more direct loans for that (HCOL with a grad school stipend). I have now been at a different qualifying employer for 2 years, paying on all my loans. So do those two later loans only have the two years of payments counted for them while the others have all 7? Or is it just a blanket 7 years for all of them? My guess is the later loans only get the 2 years counted, but I'm trying to confirm that so I can figure out if it makes sense to pursue this further.

Thank you all so much for all the helpful info and congrats to everyone who has (or is close) gotten forgiveness! This is so wonderful!

Traditionally the new loans would be on their own forgiveness timeline. With this waiver you have the limited opportunity to consolidate them and they will take on the payment count for the older loans. Consolidate before Oct 2022 before you lose the chance (I’d do by August at the latest bc of processing times).

Check out the updated Q&A on consolidation because the pre-waiver language is still on some of the paperwork and scares people. But primary source says this works and thousands before you have done it successfully. studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver#questions

Thank you! This is fantastic.

[kimmyo73]

Feb 3, 2022 8:54:02 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Holy shit y'all. I woke up to an email telling me that I message in my FedLoan inbox.

FORGIVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe it! I mean I had faith it would work out and was trying to be patient and trust the process but it was not easy.

I didn't log in and check quick enough to see anything about a refund but I don't even care about that. I mean don't get me wrong I would totally take it but it's not the most important thing in this moment.

Fingers crossed it's your turn(s) soon!!!

I am happy dancing my ass off for you!  Congratulations!  

[bex1973]

Feb 3, 2022 10:22:00 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

Feb 3, 2022 8:54:02 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Holy shit y'all. I woke up to an email telling me that I message in my FedLoan inbox.

FORGIVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe it! I mean I had faith it would work out and was trying to be patient and trust the process but it was not easy.

I didn't log in and check quick enough to see anything about a refund but I don't even care about that. I mean don't get me wrong I would totally take it but it's not the most important thing in this moment.

Fingers crossed it's your turn(s) soon!!!

I am happy dancing my ass off for you!  Congratulations!  

And if you saw my recent FB post you know that monthly payment is now on Morgans teeth LOL

[reginaphalange72]

gretchenindisguise - Seriously thank you so much. I missed when someone asked about consolidation and applying payment counts earlier and I just went back through it all. This is incredible. I just submitted my consolidation application and have the PSLF form all ready to go to my employers for verification. I did out the math (I love a good spreadsheet) and at the end of my remaining 3 years I'll still have ~50k that will be able to be forgiven.

Seriously life changing. Thank you all. And congrats and happy thoughts to everyone else!

This forum is so fantastic. I appreciate you all so much.

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 3, 2022 11:26:42 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

gretchenindisguise - Seriously thank you so much. I missed when someone asked about consolidation and applying payment counts earlier and I just went back through it all. This is incredible. I just submitted my consolidation application and have the PSLF form all ready to go to my employers for verification. I did out the math (I love a good spreadsheet) and at the end of my remaining 3 years I'll still have ~50k that will be able to be forgiven.

Seriously life changing. Thank you all. And congrats and happy thoughts to everyone else!

This forum is so fantastic. I appreciate you all so much.

I'm so glad!! I've read a few posts the past few days that make me think you should hold onto the pslf form until after your loans are consolidated - then submit.

It was through this page that I learned about the waiver and FB page, which sparked my deep dive obsession. It's definitely a great place!

[ny96]

You all have inspired me to start this process. I only have about $7000 left, but I’ve been working in the nonprofit world for many years. I’ve been paying the minimum on my consolidated loans the whole time and haven’t made a dent in a long time. I don’t know how many years of payments I have because although all my payments should qualify, there has been a lot of stopping and starting. My plan is to fill out the form online, find out how many years of payments I have, and then make a decision whether to just pay them off once and for all or seek forgiveness. It would be nice not to have this hanging over my head.

[Mushe]

Feb 3, 2022 9:54:30 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Feb 3, 2022 9:26:01 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Traditionally the new loans would be on their own forgiveness timeline. With this waiver you have the limited opportunity to consolidate them and they will take on the payment count for the older loans. Consolidate before Oct 2022 before you lose the chance (I’d do by August at the latest bc of processing times).

Check out the updated Q&A on consolidation because the pre-waiver language is still on some of the paperwork and scares people. But primary source says this works and thousands before you have done it successfully. studentaid.gov/announcements-events/pslf-limited-waiver#questions

Thank you! This is fantastic.

Yes! There was a poster in the big FB group who was able to consolidate brand new PhD loans with a bachelors and masters loans, and under the waiver rules, he got the longer repayment history and qualified to have them all forgiven.

[Mushe]

bex1973 that is amazing news!! I’m so happy to start seeing people from here get forgiveness.

[kimmyo73]

Feb 3, 2022 10:27:40 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Feb 3, 2022 10:22:00 GMT -5 kimmyo73 said:

I am happy dancing my ass off for you!  Congratulations!  

And if you saw my recent FB post you know that monthly payment is now on Morgans teeth LOL

I feel you on the teeth.  Maya's on her 2nd round of braces.  I'm three payments from paying it off and the braces should come off this summer.  If she so much as misses a dental appointment for the rest of her life. I will kill her.

[Doggy Mommy]

Congrats to those who are getting forgiveness letters! I got word today that my PSLF form was accepted and they are transferring my loans to fedloan to count my payments. By my count I have 150. I hope this part can go a little faster, but I doubt it.

I don't even know if I would have known about the PSLF waiver if it wasn't for the boards. Fingers crossed it goes through. I only have $9240 left but that's still a lot of money.

[bex1973]

Feb 3, 2022 17:15:39 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

Congrats to those who are getting forgiveness letters! I got word today that my PSLF form was accepted and they are transferring my loans to fedloan to count my payments. By my count I have 150. I hope this part can go a little faster, but I doubt it.

I don't even know if I would have known about the PSLF waiver if it wasn't for the boards. Fingers crossed it goes through. I only have $9240 left but that's still a lot of money.

If your count is right you should get a refund for 30 payments. So that plus your balance will be a nice chunk of change you don't have to worry about!

[eddy]

My husband got his email today! We are going out to celebrate tonight!

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m still waiting for employment verification from my first teaching job in the city.

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 3, 2022 18:19:07 GMT -5 eddy said:

My husband got his email today! We are going out to celebrate tonight!

Yayayayyay!! Congratulations!!

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 3, 2022 17:15:39 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

Congrats to those who are getting forgiveness letters! I got word today that my PSLF form was accepted and they are transferring my loans to fedloan to count my payments. By my count I have 150. I hope this part can go a little faster, but I doubt it.

I don't even know if I would have known about the PSLF waiver if it wasn't for the boards. Fingers crossed it goes through. I only have $9240 left but that's still a lot of money.

Here’s my timeline for transfer back to FedLoan

11/23 FedLoan states pslf employment approved and loans will be transferred back to FedLoans
12/13 morning Loans disappear from Mohela. No notification from anyone on where they went - assume they are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/13 afternoon Received snail mail letter from Mohela stating my loans are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/21 fsa updated that FedLoan is current servicer
12/27 loans back on FedLoan
12/30 PSLF results - with laughably low counts.

Assume everything sent to Dept of Ed for waiver review. Waiting on forgiveness still.

[Doggy Mommy]

Feb 3, 2022 20:01:45 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Feb 3, 2022 17:15:39 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

Congrats to those who are getting forgiveness letters! I got word today that my PSLF form was accepted and they are transferring my loans to fedloan to count my payments. By my count I have 150. I hope this part can go a little faster, but I doubt it.

I don't even know if I would have known about the PSLF waiver if it wasn't for the boards. Fingers crossed it goes through. I only have $9240 left but that's still a lot of money.

Here’s my timeline for transfer back to FedLoan

11/23 FedLoan states pslf employment approved and loans will be transferred back to FedLoans
12/13 morning Loans disappear from Mohela. No notification from anyone on where they went - assume they are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/13 afternoon Received snail mail letter from Mohela stating my loans are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/21 fsa updated that FedLoan is current servicer
12/27 loans back on FedLoan
12/30 PSLF results - with laughably low counts.

Assume everything sent to Dept of Ed for waiver review. Waiting on forgiveness still.

Gah that is super frustrating. I hope they figure out your correct payment number asap. 

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 3, 2022 20:20:40 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

Feb 3, 2022 20:01:45 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Here’s my timeline for transfer back to FedLoan

11/23 FedLoan states pslf employment approved and loans will be transferred back to FedLoans
12/13 morning Loans disappear from Mohela. No notification from anyone on where they went - assume they are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/13 afternoon Received snail mail letter from Mohela stating my loans are transferring back to FedLoan.
12/21 fsa updated that FedLoan is current servicer
12/27 loans back on FedLoan
12/30 PSLF results - with laughably low counts.

Assume everything sent to Dept of Ed for waiver review. Waiting on forgiveness still.

Gah that is super frustrating. I hope they figure out your correct payment number asap. 

Eh from what I’ve seen it’s to be expected and most receive wildly inaccurate payment counts on that first perusal. Then a flurry of additional denials. Then forgiveness.

I don’t think most ever see their counts go up on FedLoan. They just get notice that Dept Ed found their counts and they are forgiven. That’s what I expect for me.

The really frustrating point has been that I was with Fedloan from 2012 through Nov 2021. I submitted my application and the day after they received it they transferred my loans. Once it was processed they sent them back. It was just stupid.

But they’re back and I’m on “track” best I can tell. I think mine will be gone in 4-6 weeks. Hopefully sooner.

[pumpkin]

Congrats to those who have gotten forgiveness!! That’s awesome!!

Just counting down the days until I hear that about mine 😊

[katfco]

My husband and I are starting this process for me. I have a few questions. I don’t have the full 10 years in, due to grad school and working overseas. I have 7. Is it worth doing now?

[okla]

Feb 5, 2022 14:45:31 GMT -5 katfco said:

My husband and I are starting this process for me. I have a few questions. I don’t have the full 10 years in, due to grad school and working overseas. I have 7. Is it worth doing now?

I’m in this same boat. Well, I might have ten years paid, I’m honestly not sure. But yes, do it now, the waiver ends 10/31/22. It’s my understanding if you get all paperwork done and loans and payment plans converted to the right ones now, previous payments will count, and then future payments will be added as you certify each year.

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 5, 2022 14:45:31 GMT -5 katfco said:

My husband and I are starting this process for me. I have a few questions. I don’t have the full 10 years in, due to grad school and working overseas. I have 7. Is it worth doing now?

If you think you will work for a qualifying employer for the remaining 3 years, yes it’s worth doing if your loans are fairly high. If you don’t have much left, it may not be.

Like okla said, the waiver period to get all of your loans and payment plans to the correct ones ends Oct 2022. Any counts you have with you at that point carry with you to the post waiver period - you absolutely don’t need to be at 120 by Oct 2022. If you’re not sure if you’ll do qualifying employment again, I see no harm in getting everything in order and submitted to take advantage of the looser standards on what qualifies as a payment to give yourself a fair option in the future.

[bex1973]

Feb 3, 2022 20:36:08 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Feb 3, 2022 20:20:40 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

Gah that is super frustrating. I hope they figure out your correct payment number asap. 

Eh from what I’ve seen it’s to be expected and most receive wildly inaccurate payment counts on that first perusal. Then a flurry of additional denials. Then forgiveness.

I don’t think most ever see their counts go up on FedLoan. They just get notice that Dept Ed found their counts and they are forgiven. That’s what I expect for me.

The really frustrating point has been that I was with Fedloan from 2012 through Nov 2021. I submitted my application and the day after they received it they transferred my loans. Once it was processed they sent them back. It was just stupid.

But they’re back and I’m on “track” best I can tell. I think mine will be gone in 4-6 weeks. Hopefully sooner.

This was my experience - I never saw my counts go up on FedLoan but them BOOM - got the good news! 

[bex1973]

Feb 3, 2022 18:19:07 GMT -5 eddy said:

My husband got his email today! We are going out to celebrate tonight!

Huzzah!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lilypad1126]

Well, there is FINALLY some movement on my account! They are now "tracking" my qualifying payments. So far only 1 payment is showing as qualifying, but I had like 4 letters in my fedloan acct today (why 4? no idea). My concern is that my math is off and they are going to make me track down my one short term (8 month) employer to sign my form. If my math is right, it won't matter about them because I have been in qualifying employment since 2007 (and bc I had FFEL loans until November 2021, I won't be eligible for a refund, so I don't really care about this one employer).

So, still to be determined exactly how this will play out, but they have at least reviewed my stuff! Whew! One more hurdle crossed

[Mushe]

That’s great lilypad1126!

Mine’s been stuck with my app acknowledged by mid-November, but no movement from Mohela and no approved employment, so I submitted a complaint on the Federal student aid website so I get in the queue for an ombudsman.

[gretchenindisguise]

Looks like today is another forgiveness batch by the looks of FB and reddit.

Any of you lucky to be in this batch?

[lilypad1126]

Feb 15, 2022 14:11:35 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Looks like today is another forgiveness batch by the looks of FB and reddit.

Any of you lucky to be in this batch?

No so far. But all the recent activity on my account is only 1 week old. And then, I figured out that one of the many MANY letters from last week was that one of my signatures from an employer wasn't sufficient. Which, thank goodness I knew this might be a problem for 1 b/c the letter didn't tell me WHICH employer signed wrong. But, that was an easy fix and I uploaded the new form with the correct sig middle of last week.

At this point, I'll just be happy if they forgive my loans before payments resume in May.

[lucky3]

Not me either. I was hopeful because the last activity on my account was 1/14 but I’m still waiting. I’m just hoping it’s taken care of by May.

[gretchenindisguise]

Feb 16, 2022 17:24:50 GMT -5 mofongo said:

gretchenindisguise , or anyone who knows - I’m back with another question. We got something in the mail stating the consolidation would occur on 2/23. I just went to the student aid website and it says on 1/30 his loans went into forbearance, is this part of the process? Did that happen when he applied for the consolidation?

ETA: and when I go to nelnet, where his loans were/are it says no payment due until April???

Yup, part of the process to go into forbearance.

There is also apparently a time period where both the old loans + the new consolidation loan may all show on student aid - so it temporarily looks like your loans have doubled. That is normal too - it will right itself a few days later.

[okla]

Feb 16, 2022 18:48:26 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Feb 16, 2022 17:46:31 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Yup, part of the process to go into forbearance.

There is also apparently a time period where both the old loans + the new consolidation loan may all show on student aid - so it temporarily looks like your loans have doubled. That is normal too - it will right itself a few days later.

You should start charging for your services!!! Not slightly joking lol

Agreed! Between this thread and the FB group (which is…intense) I have gotten so much info that either isn’t on or is a slog to find on the .gov site.