Borrower News and Resources
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Current News
Fresh Start Program Offers Special Benefits to Borrowers with Defaulted Loans
You may be able to take advantage of the U.S. Department of Education’s Fresh Start program if you defaulted on your federal student loan before March 13, 2020. Through this program, you can get your loan back in good standing and also get special benefits not usually available to borrowers with defaulted loans. These benefits include:
- Stopped collections.
- Removal of the default from your credit report.
- Eligibility for other government loans like mortgages.
- Access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.
Fresh Start is only open for a short time, and you must sign up to participate. To see if you’re eligible and to sign up, call 866-348-0715, or log into your Default Loan Help account.
Borrowers Can Get Loan Forgiveness Credit Through One-Time Account Adjustment
The Direct Loan program has benefits that the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program doesn’t. Normally, consolidating a FFEL Program loan into a Direct Loan resets any progress you've made toward loan forgiveness. The U.S. Department of Education is offering a one-time account adjustment that may bring borrowers who consolidate to a Direct Loan closer to loan forgiveness. If you have a FFEL Program loan and are eligible for this adjustment, make sure you consolidate to a Direct Loan no later than Dec. 31, 2023.
Be Aware of Scams
Debt relief scammers promise to help you get rid of your student loan debt but only if you first pay a fee. Remember, you don’t have to pay for help with your federal student loan. We’re here to help for free. If you have questions about your defaulted loan, email us or call 866-348-0715.
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Ascendium Resources
Repayment Plan Changes
If your loan is past due and hasn't yet defaulted or you’re struggling to make loan payments, email us or call us at 800-236-2700 to discuss your repayment options and develop a repayment plan that works for you.
Defaulted Loan Options
If you’re trying to get your loan back in good standing, we can help guide you through your options.
ASCENDIUM BORROWERS
Call our Default Customer Support at 866-348-0715, or log into your Default Loan Help account for information specific to your situation. It’s easy to create an account if you don’t have one.
FLORIDA BORROWERS
Call our guarantor loan servicer at 800-366-3475.
U.S. Department of Education Resources
Your Loan Details
Your Federal Student Aid account through the U.S. Department of Education is the best place to find information about your loan, such as its status or who your loan servicer is. (This is the company you send loan payments to.) It’s easy to create an account — you’ll just need your Social Security number and phone number or email address.
Loan Forgiveness
If you qualify for student loan forgiveness, you may not have to pay back part or all of your loan. There are many types of loan forgiveness, and they’re often dependent on your job or circumstances. Your loan servicer can help determine if you qualify for loan forgiveness.
How does Ascendium fit in?
Our role is two-fold. For loans we guarantee, we help borrowers avoid loan default or get their loans back in good standing if the loan has already defaulted. For our Attigo customers, we provide loan repayment support to their current or former students. While we work with borrowers in both cases, we do it under two different umbrellas.
