Student loans and the coronavirus: Where to find relief

The coronavirus outbreak has caused schools and businesses to shut down across the country. And while the federal government has cancelled interest and payments during this national emergency, you’ll need to get in touch with your servicer to explore other options if you have private loans.

Federal student loans

With the passing of the COVID-19 Pandemic Education Relief Act of 2020, part of the new coronavirus stimulus bill, federal student loan borrowers will have their payments automatically paused until October 2020 — among other benefits.

Paused repayments

Previously, federal student loan borrowers had the option to suspend payments for two months through administrative forbearance. Now, it’s automatically in place for all federal student loans until September 30, 2020 — although you can still make payments toward your loan principal if you choose.

During this time, these skipped payments will count as regular payments toward any federal loan forgiveness or loan rehabilitation program. This helps prevent borrowers from getting behind or losing out on special programs during the coronavirus outbreak.

Waived interest

Beginning on March 13, 2020, the Department of Education (DoE) set the interest rate for federally held student loans to 0% for at least 60 days. This is technically still in place, but the Education Relief Act extends it. Rather than a 0% interest rate, interest simply won’t accrue on any federal student loans through September 30, 2020.

Suspension of involuntary collections

The Education Relief Act calls for the temporary suspension of all collection activity on federal student loans in default. This includes:

• Wage garnishment
• Tax refund reduction or garnishment
• Reduction or garnishment of federal benefit payments
• Any other collection activity

Which federal student loans qualify?

Only loans held by the Department of Education qualify. Your private loans will remain the same, and so will any loans issued by your state or school.

Other options for reducing your payments

If you need relief beyond waived interest charges, consider enrolling in an IDR plan to lower your monthly payments. You can also contact your loan servicer to discuss your situation and any additional programs that may help during a period of financial hardship. Just keep in mind that this will exclude you from administrative forbearance.

Private student loans

Unfortunately, the government’s interest waiver doesn’t apply to private student loans borrowed from banks, credit unions or online lenders. That doesn’t mean there isn’t relief. You’ll just need to contact your lender to see if it’s offering any help or special programs during the coronavirus crisis.

Here’s what some private lenders are offering to borrowers affected by the pandemic:

Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue during forbearance for all private loans unless otherwise stated by your lender.

Don’t have federal student loans? Consider refinancing instead

Now that the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate to zero, refinancing rates are fairly low. If you’ve improved your credit and still have a steady source of income — or a cosigner with excellent credit — it may be a good time to consider refinancing your private loans with a different lender. This can help lower your monthly payments and could potentially mean you pay less in interest overall.

But think carefully before refinancing federal loans. Even if a private lender offers lower rates, you’ll lose out on federal benefits — including the current waived interest program — that could save you money.

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3 ways to increase your financial aid next semester

It may not affect your current student loan payments, but increasing your financial aid can help you borrow less during your next few semesters of college.

Request a refund

If you were living on campus or had a meal plan before the coronavirus health crisis, request a refund on your room and board costs from your college. Your refund should be prorated based on the date you had to move off campus. Contact your college’s financial aid office for more information — including when you can expect to receive your refund.

And if you paid for room and board with a student loan, you can return it to the lender. This will lower the total amount you borrowed, which will in turn reduce your future debt load. To get the process started, reach out to your lender or loan servicer.

Update your FAFSA

You can file corrections to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if your financial situation has changed dramatically because of the coronavirus.

For example, if your parent has lost their job, you should adjust the income portion of your FAFSA. This will change your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which could mean you qualify for federal or state grants you were previously ineligible for.

Your college’s financial aid office may also be able to make changes to your FAFSA for you. Either way, file your corrections as soon as possible. The deadline to make adjustments for the 2019-20 school year is June 30, 2020.

Appeal your financial aid award

Like with the FAFSA, you may be able to increase your financial aid award by writing an appeal letter. Include information from your updated FAFSA and current financial situation to prove you’re facing hardship because of the coronavirus. While more funding isn’t guaranteed, you may qualify for additional scholarships or grants.

Bottom line

If you’re struggling to pay your bills during the coronavirus pandemic, you can take advantage of the Department of Education’s interest waiver and forbearance options for your federal student loans. Plus, many private student loan providers are offering deferment and forbearance for borrowers impacted by the outbreak. If not, consider refinancing your private student loans now that interest rates are at an all-time low.

Learn about more ways to manage your finances during the COVID-19 pandemic with our guide.

Frequently asked questions

• How long will the 0% interest rate for federal student loans last?

  The COVID-19 Pandemic Education Relief Act of 2020 extends the 0% interest rate through September 30, 2020.

• Will the skipped payments hurt my credit?

  No. Federal student loan servicers are required to treat this period as normal, on-time payments when they report to the credit bureaus. This means you will have a few months of on-time payments added to your credit report — which could actually improve your score.