Author: Mac Vegas
The Biden administration has unveiled a pilot version of its student loan forgiveness program, and borrowers may apply today. But first, there are a few things you should be aware of.
Where To Apply for the Student Loan Forgiveness Application
The Education Department has started online registration for Biden’s new student debt forgiveness proposal, which can grant up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness for government-managed federal student loans.
If you are suitable for all requirements, you can apply for this form online via StudentAid.gov.
Borrowers are not required to use their FSA ID (unique username and password) to access the StudentAid.gov website.
You can easily register for this form, sign it electronically, and submit it.
Borrowers have been warned against fraudsters by the Education Department. You can apply directly using this official online application gateway with no third-party, whatsoever.
How can I apply the Application Process for Student Loan Forgiveness?
Borrowers must supply their data:
- First name and last name
- Contact phone
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
They must also swear under penalty of perjury that they earned less than $125,000 (or $250,000 if married) in either 2020 or 2021 to be eligible for student loan forgiveness under Biden’s plan. The Education Department’s website has further information on the qualifying conditions for the one-time student loan forgiveness effort.
Borrowers will not be required to include any accompanying paperwork with their requests. However, the Education Department will contact millions of borrowers over the next year to check their financial info. The department stated that it would send applicants an email after completing the applications to let them know them to know if their application is successful, then ask them for further information if required.
There is currently no processing of student loan forgiveness applications.
While the application is valid, no student debt forgiveness request will be handled immediately. According to the administration’s court filing earlier this month, the earliest any proposal would be considered and authorized is October 23.
The Education Department has previously said that applications should be completed within four to six weeks of submission.
The complete application will be released soon.
Don’t worry if you can’t access the beta application; you’ll have until December 31, 2023, to apply. The Education Department has not established a precise schedule for releasing broader applications. However, it should happen later this month.
Of course, multiple lawsuits have been filed to hinder the plan. The program might be delayed or halted depending on the outcome of preliminary hearings in some instances. This week’s hearing might be a litmus test, and the court could rule on a preliminary injunction as soon as this week.
Conclusion
If you paid your student loans during the moratorium, you could immediately ask your loan servicer for a return. Payments and interest are still stopped until January 2023 for those not qualified for student loan forgiveness or will still be under an obligation after the debt is canceled.