Do Sallie Mae loans qualify for loan forgiveness? (2024)

Do Sallie Mae loans qualify for loan forgiveness?

Lender Sallie Mae used to offer federal student loans, and if you received one, you may be able to qualify for loan forgiveness. But federal student loan forgiveness can be hard to get — and if you have a private student loan through Sallie Mae, federal forgiveness is not available.

Will my Sallie Mae loan be forgiven?

Those who borrowed from Sallie Mae after this 2014 split have private student loans, which aren't eligible for federal forgiveness programs. However, Sallie Mae will discharge debts for borrowers who die or become totally and permanently disabled.

Is Sallie Mae considered a federal student loan?

All new Sallie Mae loans are private. But if you took out a Sallie Mae loan before 2014, it might have been a federal loan and is likely now managed by another servicer. Sallie Mae started off under the federal government and provided loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFELP.

What student loans are not eligible for forgiveness?

You're not eligible for federal student loan forgiveness programs if you have private loans, but there are other strategies for managing private loan debt. NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.

Are Sallie Mae loans deferred?

You can apply for this type of deferment in increments of up to 12 months, up to a maximum of 60 months for Smart Option Student Loans and up to a maximum of 48 months for the Sallie Mae Medical School Loan, Sallie Mae Dental School Loan, Sallie Mae Health Professions Graduate Loan, Sallie Mae Law School Loan, and the ...

What happens if I don't pay Sallie Mae back?

Delinquency and default

Delinquency occurs when you fail to pay all or part of your monthly student loan payment. You may be charged late fees for delinquency, which can add to your Total Loan Cost. You may lose any interest rate reduction programs you were eligible for.

What is the Sallie Mae controversy?

A False Claims suit was filed against Sallie Mae by former U.S. Department of Education researcher, Dr. Oberg, in 2009. The suit alleges that Sallie Mae and other lenders deliberately overcharged the U.S. government. The findings by Oberg were labeled among higher education policy analysts as the 9.5 scandal.

What type of loan is a Sallie Mae student loan?

Federal loans are provided by the government, while you take out a private loan from a bank like Sallie Mae, or a credit union. There are also differences in interest rates, repayment options, and other features.

Can you get private student loans forgiven?

Bottom Line. Although private student loan forgiveness isn't an option, there are a variety of programs that can help you repay your debt. You may also be eligible for alternative payment plans or student loan refinancing to pay off your debt faster.

Who took over Sallie Mae loans?

Navient used to be one of the top federal student loan servicers—the company was established in 2014 to take over Sallie Mae's federal student loan portfolio.

How do I know if my student loans will be forgiven?

Your loans should automatically qualify for forgiveness after you've spent 20 or 25 years in repayment. Reach out to your loan servicer about any steps you may need to take.

How do I know if my student loans qualify for forgiveness?

If you have loans that have been in repayment for more than 20 or 25 years, those loans may immediately qualify for forgiveness. Borrowers who have reached 20 or 25 years (240 or 300 months) worth of eligible payments for IDR forgiveness will see their loans forgiven as they reach these milestones.

How do I know if my Navient loan will be forgiven?

Navient loans can be forgiven after 20 years if they are federal student loans repaid under an IDR plan. The forgiveness applies to loans received for undergraduate study, while loans for graduate or professional study or Parent PLUS Loans may be forgiven after 25 years.

What happened to Sallie Mae student loans?

In 2014, the company underwent another big adjustment when Sallie Mae split to form Navient and Sallie Mae. Navient is a federal student loan servicer that manages existing student loan accounts. Meanwhile, Sallie Mae continues to offer private student loans and other financial products to consumers.

What happens if you default on Sallie Mae student loans?

If your payments aren't up to date, your account can go into default. At that point, you have to pay the entire amount owed, plus fees. The servicer or loan lender can send your account to collection. For federal loans, the servicer also has the right to take the balance of your payments from your wages.

Are Sallie Mae loans good?

Sallie Mae is a great option for those interested in borrowing from a well-established lender with low rates, few fees and a variety of loan options. Borrowers with more unique educational needs, like funds for an online certification course, may have more luck finding a loan with Sallie Mae than with similar lenders.

What happens if you never pay off your student loans?

Failing to pay your student loan within 90 days classifies the debt as delinquent, which means your credit rating will take a hit. After 270 days, the student loan is in default and may then be transferred to a collection agency. Keeping up with your student loan payments helps improve your credit score.

How long do you have to pay back Sallie Mae student loans?

Your student loan repayment term

For private student loans, the repayment term can range anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on the loan. You'll be given a definite term for your loan when you apply.

What happens if you don't pay off student loans in 25 years?

What happens if you don't pay off student loans in 25 years? Any remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven after 25 years of payments. But be cautious: You may be required to pay income tax on the forgiven amount.

What are the disadvantages of Sallie Mae?

Cons Explained

No refinancing option available: Certain lenders offer student loan refinancing, but Sallie Mae does not. Limited repayment terms: Sallie Mae only offers repayment terms of 120 to 180 months.

Do I qualify for Sallie Mae lawsuit?

You must have borrowed a private student loan from Navient or its predecessor, Sallie Mae, between 2002 and 2014 while attending certain for-profit schools like the Art Institute, ITT Technical Institute, and others. You can see a full list of schools at NavientAGSettlement.com.

Does Sallie Mae hurt your credit?

Typically, prequalifying for a student loan includes a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. Thus, if you apply for a loan with Sallie Mae, a hard credit check will be done, which could temporarily hurt your credit score.

How to lower Sallie Mae payments?

Is it better to get a federal or private student loan?

If you can pay back your loan quickly and can qualify for a low interest rate, a private student loan may be best. If you'd like to take advantage of income-driven repayment plans, extensive deferment programs and potential loan forgiveness, a federal student loan is the best option.

What is the maximum Sallie Mae loan amount?

What is the maximum amount I can borrow from Sallie Mae? Sallie Mae does not have a maximum amount that you can borrow. Sallie Mae permits students to borrow up to the full cost of attending a qualified school, minus any financial aid they may have received.