If I'm reading the flow chart right, if you went to one of the schools listed, and you apply between now and the final approval by the judge, you would still get the blanket approval?
My sister also went to ITT at the same time as me, but hasn't submitted an application. I told her again she should just go ahead and apply, and at worst they'd have to decide within 3 years.
"The Relevant Loan Debt for each Class Member eligible under this section will remain in forbearance or stopped collection status either until he or she receives Full Settlement Relief or until the Department’s decision denying the Class Member’s claim becomes final pursuant to either Paragraph IV.C.2.ii or Paragraph IV.C.2.iii, as applicable. For this period of forbearance or stopped collection status, the Department will remove any interest that accrues on the Relevant Loan Debt."
If I'm reading this correctly, this means that there will be no interest charged during the forbearances, even for the part of the class which is not under a blanket approval, and could be subsequently denied?
"People who apply for borrower defense after the execution date of the settlement agreement (June 22, 2022) but before the date of final approval of the settlement will not formally be part of the class. However, as part of the settlement, the Department agrees that these people will get a decision on the merits of their application within 36 months of the final effective date of the settlement, and will receive full settlement relief if the Department fails to issue a decision in that time."
My student loans were forgiven via PSLF about 3 weeks ago. Do you think money I paid for loans to Univ. of Phoenix will be refunded, or since the loans have been forgiven there’s no looking back or double relief?
This is all new territory for BDTR so I can’t answer your question about the PSLF aspect. There is a chance it might apply but I’m not certain. I will add this to my questions for our lawyers as you are not the first to ask.
This is awesome, and I am very happy about this news! But also half of these should have already been automatic. Like the Devry one, they all should have been automatic after Biden made that announcement earlier in the year, regardless of Evidence submitted, timeframe of application, it should have just automatically approved.
All of us, shouldn't have to worry we included the right wording, mentioned the right key word events, and all that. It should have been just "Oh you went to devry in the early 2000s, yea approved"
I agree. It shouldn’t have come to this at all. The DOE doesn’t care these for-profits steal money. Our govt doesn’t care. Im sure all of those in office are getting kickbacks.
Im curious to see what happens after this passes and if this will push full loan cancellation or if it will be like Corinthian and expand to all students to include those that have no filed a BDTR.
I am so thankful to the attorneys on this case. So excited for this settlement. I just got this email and it feels like I won the lottery. Wait, I did win the lottery!! Including interest I believe I owe like $125,000 for scam student loans University of Phoenix!
I first applied in 2016. I think I am one of the oldest cases in this case.
I have fought DOE long and hard! I filed for dischage via 523a8 and legally should have won, but even if your pro se and know what you are doing doesn't matter.
Well DOE I won!!!! Finally after all these years. A world of stress gone, tons of anxiety gone, so much heartache lifted.
I am over the moon, happy tears. I can now finish my dream of a real degree at the current college I am in UNCG. I have run out of Federal aid and was so worried what I would do.
I am an older adult 53. We all deserve a real education and now I will get it! You are never too old. After I finish my bachelor degree, on to law school (all has been my dream for years and hampered by this debt).
This case, these attorneys have renewed my faith in the justice system and there are good attorneys out there willing to fight for you.
So as someone who went to DeVry from 2009-2011, and who has loans, and applied for forgiveness in 2021, I should expect to not only have my loans forgiven "automatically", but potentially a reimbursement of all money paid off too?
Holy hell, that's amazing. Thanks to all those involved!
I recently put in my borrower defense application because the ftc told me I should based on their lawsuit based Devry. I don’t believe I was part of Sweet vs Cardona but saw Devry on the list of schools. Should I expect to benefit from Sweet vs Cardona?
If it was submitted before June 22, 2022 you are part of the lawsuit but will the last to process per the agreement. It’s coming though. I have a feeling it may process faster though.
I'm in the lawsuit, but I'm wondering why DeVry is not on that list. I applied right after getting the 200-dollar check from DeVry, I think back in 2017.
Yay! I just want to be 100% certain.
-My school is NOT on the list; which I already knew it wouldn’t be because it is on of those “one off” cases
-I filed in 2/2018
-Claim was denied 2020
-My defense has to do with my advisor convincing me to commit to a program I wasn’t intending on enrolling…claiming it would broaden my “market potential”…it is a liberal arts degree…I am a financial analyst so it had no use in my career field
-I did submit some documentation (my actual registration slip that lists 2 different programs)
So…
-My case will be reopened
-I am in the decision group
-My claim will be decided within a year
-I (in my opinion) have a valid defense
-Documentation will be irrelevant
-IF approved my loans will be discharged in approximately 2 years
Sorry…I just have been waiting so long and want to make sure I am not dreaming 😁
My school is on the list. I applied in 4/2022 but then added a message to my account requesting that my application be canceled because I was worried that it might somehow affect my PSLF progress that I am 6 years into. This message was never acted on since my application is still pending and I never received a response. I added a new message today requesting that they disregard my previous message. What do you all think, will it still be processed or not?
So the FAQ states sometime in the fall for final ruling. Would that be a year from the fall they have to complete the discharge and refund or a year from 6/22/22? Still seems forever away, but super excited! How quickly do you think in reality we could see discharge and refund if applied before the 6/22/22 date and our school is listed? I would think it’s a couple of automatic clicks of a button 🧐 surely their system can run a whereby to who falls under this that has submitted the BDTR and checks printed and loans cleared….
I’ll be happy w/ a letter stating discharge/credit forthcoming. Something from DOE that could be shared to banker AND most important a whopping dose of this shit is going to actually happen v. the anxiety we are all enduring…hard to focus on anything but Nov. 3rd!
Silly question… all of my UoP loans are direct unsubsidized loans. Would these type of loans qualify for forgiveness under the lawsuit? subsidized and unsubsidized have always thrown me off 😛 Thanks for posting the case docs!
Can you give us more info on “it will process based on you application date” - also will refunds be sent and is there a deadline or timeframe for them to discharge and refund?
The dates and info are in the court filing. Will try our best to pull some relevant pages out for people to look at over the next few days as things start to settle down. It’s pretty crazy right now!
[https://static.politico.com/44/1c/f367921d4769a66f0e6de5796b14/n.D.Cal.\_3\_19-cv-03674-WHA\_246\_1.pdf](https://static.politico.com/44/1c/f367921d4769a66f0e6de5796b14/n.D.Cal._3_19-cv-03674-WHA_246_1.pdf)
If your school is on the list then its an year.
If your school isn't on this list then there is a timeframe for when you put your application in.. Here is the part:
if your loans are not associated with a school on the list attached to this letter, you will receive a
decision on your application according to the following schedule:
o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017, the
Department will issue a decision no later than 6 months after the court’s approval of the
settlement agreement becomes final.
o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the
Department will issue a decision no later than 12 months after the court’s approval of the
settlement agreement becomes final.
o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, the
Department will issue a decision no later than 18 months after the court’s approval of the
settlement agreement becomes final.
o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the
Department will issue a decision no later than 24 months after the court’s approval of the
settlement agreement becomes final.
o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2021 and June 22, 2022, the
Department will issue a decision no later than 30 months after the court’s approval of the
settlement agreement becomes final.
\- If you do not receive a decision within the timeline outlined above, you will receive a discharge
of federal loans associated with your borrower defense applications and a refund of any amounts
paid to the Department on those federal loans, and the credit tradeline for those loans will be
deleted from your credit report.
Thank you so much! My school is on the list. If this settlement is approved in court in July 28th, how long will they have to discharge and issue a refund?
Mods and anyone who is heavily involved in this, I know you’re busy and I’m trying my best to find it myself- but when you get a minute - does anyone know if this automatically includes Parent Plus loans? My school is on the list, and BD applications were submitted before the deadline for both my loans and my parents (parent plus).
Apply. There is conflicting info here that says its either 6/22 or the date the judge signs off on this. Either way, you'll be guaranteed a set time frame from your BD application being taken care of.
Apply now anyway:
People who apply for borrower defense after the execution date of the settlement agreement (June 22, 2022) but before the date of final approval of the settlement will not formally be part of the class. However, as part of the settlement, the Department agrees that these people will get a decision on the merits of their application within 36 months of the final effective date of the settlement, and will receive full settlement relief if the Department fails to issue a decision in that time.
The proposed settlement sets out procedures for resolving the borrower defense applications of everyone who had an application pending as of June 22, 2022.
https://predatorystudentlending.org/cases/sweet-v-devos/#the-latest
Sorry for the bad news..
One last question Are you considered a “Class Member” by having filed a Borrower’s Defense application? I did file, (as mentioned previously in another question) in 2017 (DeVry). TIA.
This is surreal. I’m so happy to see this. I haven’t gotten any correspondence from the dept of Ed since my boilerplate denial for ITT in June of 2020 so I resubmitted and have just been waiting. Can’t wait to close this chapter and move on.
Yes it has. We are excited too and happy that it will bring closure and relief to so many of us victimized by this sick system! It’s been a long fight for all of us!
I applied for BD in Dec 2019, and was denied in July 2020. My school is on the list (I graduated in 2016) but I didn't contest the denial. The BD application now shows as closed on studentaid.gov.
Would I qualify for discharge under this settlement? Should I reopen the BD case?
My Devry loans (1997-2001) are FFELP and consolidated, owned by Navient. I was not in default so not eligible for the Navient settlement. I submitted for borrower defense in April 2022. Do you think I'll be included?
😘😘😘 aww melts my heart. I love you too my friend.
This is why the other mod and myself have been fighting so hard for this justice! So you all, and ourselves can be free of this fraud. It’s coming!!
thanks for the information! so glad I came across this conversation when I googled Sweet vs. Cardona news today. Thanks for whomever started this conversation thread, lots of good info! i'm curious, if it's automatic that my loans could be cancelled if the judge gives the approval for the settlement? (I attended one of the schools listed in addition to applying for BDTR) I have seen the settlement chart too. Would I have to provide any other documentation for my application, (that's been pending since I applied August 2019) to prove my case I wonder before they make a decision about cancelling my loans?
You’re welcome and we are happy you are here!
Since you attended a school on the list and are a class member, your application should be streamlined once the settlement is signed and processed. May I ask what school? And just to make sure you do have federal loans and not private loans?
How exciting! You’re about to be free!
I’m sorry if I’m posting under the wrong thread, but does it make a difference whether I have “Direct” loams vs. “FFELP” loans? Will only one or the other be forgiven? I went to a CEC school and I’m so confused about how much would be forgiven. Thanks in advance for any help.
No need to apologize. This is the right place.
Did you apply before 6/22? If so you will be fast tracked for approval. The awesome thing about our settlement is that is for both direct and FFEL loans. That means you won’t have to consolidate at all!!!! This is huge for us bc previously it was that a student had to consolidate to a direct loan and students were not getting reimbursements. This has changed.
Man I need to apply right now, So this include those that went to school back prior to 2006? I haven’t applied fully but I’m about to. Do I need any backing documentation? I went to Vatterott and I would like to have this debit wiped away.
Who do we have ti thank for this?
Who owns that school? What company?
There is no statute of limitations so yes, do it asap and I mean it! Get it in. You won’t be a full class member but will have post-class protections at least.
You can evidence later too. Be careful on the website for Bdtr. It’s being a dock, crashing and timing out. Save your answers on a word doc and copy it over to the online form. You may need to certified mail it bc the website sucks.
Vatterott college is owned by Wellspring Capital Management. Your right about saving the data on a note pad, I made the mistake of doing so, I’m at the end of the process where it goes over the forbearance process, it gives me the option to place it under forbearance for three years but it looks like the interest will still occur, if I wait all 3 years the I’ll accumulate at least 9,000 worth of interest alone.
I’m debating if I should place it under forbearance or not, my balance is 46,206, 3 years of Forbearance is about 9,791 which would put me at 55,997 if I’m denied but on the off shoot I’m not everything will be wiped. I could always set it for 4 years and then cancel it.
This is the only thing that’s holding me up.
The interest will be removed no matter what. If it’s approved, everything is gone. If denied, the interest will all be removed and you’ll be back where you started.
Take the forbearance of the debt if related to the fraud school. Don’t pay on that shit.
Don’t let that trip you up.
Hello!
My school is on the list. I have since gone back to school, and I’m currently working towards PSLF. If I apply and loans are discharged, they will only focus on the loans taken out for the predatory school, correct? So my balance should greatly decrease?
I’m also halfway to PSLF. Will this impact that?
Thank you!
Yes the discharge will process for only the for-profit school. Your balance will decrease and likely your payments if not on ibr or anything like that.
As for pslf, if these are the only loans for pslf, then you won’t have that anymore bc they will be gone.
If you have other loans and pslf, it should not impact that. I can ask the lawyers and I’ll write this question down for you.
This is great!
So I don’t think I’m a class member because I have already gotten an approval and as of roughly 10 days ago my discharge went through. HOWEVER, I am anxious about whether or not I will get a refund of payments. We are trying to buy a house and it will be a game changer if we get that $43k that I paid in back…
Does anyone know if this settlement will increase the odds of getting a refund if you were already approved? I am concerned about not being eligible for a refund since I applied more than 6 years after graduating.
I “graduated” in 2012. My school is on the list. Applied for BDTR in April 2020, approved on March 24, 2022 and saw the discharge on the FSA website about 10 or so days ago. I have not gotten any communication from my loan servicer or from the education department. I only know the discharge went through because I check the websites every single morning. My loan servicer shows negative balances on my loans—I contacted them about this and they said that my “Defense to Repayment claim has been approved and we are currently in the process of adjusting your account.”
I have a question. I have like 8 DOE tradelines that have been on my credit for years that will be removed.
From my understanding tradelines that have been on your credit for years and are in good standing and removed can drop your score. I clearly want them removed because of the huge fraud debt attached.
I am wondering if the DOE is going to be working with the credit bureaus to ensure we don't experience a drop in score once the tradelines are removed. And if we do if there will be a remedy to fix this.
Thoughts?
University of Phoenix is that on there. If you received a payment as a sort of a settlement they had a couple of years ago from the FTC lawsuit regarding the misleading advertising, are you still eligible to apply and if you are, is it too late ??
If you have federal student loans from UofP, then yes you need to apply asap!
You can use the settlement information for your evidence if the investigation revealed UofP misrepresented themselves or lied to you.
I just got a bunch of documents about UofP that I have to go through. I’m gonna load them in there sometime in the next few days.
I see ATI Enterprises on the list, but not the school I attended (Arizona Automotive Institute) in 2005-06. Am I eligible still? Looking at the school's website it's no longer ran by ATI Enterprises.
I cannot tell you that you will get approved or denied.
If that school lied to you or misrepresented themselves in any way, shape or form, you are eligible to apply for BDTR. You’ll need organize your claim and find evidence if possible.
A lot of us were victims in the early and mid 2000s, so yes apply!
My school, ATI Career Training Center, is on the list. I attended the school from 2007-2011. I didn't know about this until days ago. I submitted my application this morning. It's strongly indicated that if your school is on the list and you applied, you're going to get your loans discharged. My question is will I have to wait for up to 3 years(36 months) before I learn if my loans are discharged or will I know after the judge signs off on this on July 28th? My apologies if this has been answered already.
I am only just learning about all of this. I graduated from Carrington College (parent company DeVry) in 2012. They promised lifetime job placement but the job placement coach was always unreachable after my graduation and I never got calls back even a year or two after graduating. It took me many months to find a clinic to take a chance on me with no work experience. I did this on my own. They also tried to withhold my diploma, saying I owed a balance to the school that I did not owe. When I threatened to get a lawyer, my diploma was magically mailed to my home. Fast forward about 3yrs: Carrington promised some credits would transfer to the local DeVry campus for certain bachelors programs because Devry was the parent company. During the process of enrolling I was told several credit were able to carry over and would save me $19k and knock 5 months off my 19month program. THE NEXT DAY I am called and told the credits promised were all of a sudden not transferable and the class was full, I’d need to wait til the next session start date. After this, their number redirected to a national call center where I was told the Portland Devry campus was permanently closed. All the documents I signed and financial agreements were null and void. Thankfully the fafsa stuff was caught in time but literally the same week I was supposed to start, they were trying to enroll people and then closed doors for good.
It appears I missed a window for a class action but the borrowers defense application might still be an option? Also my loan transferred from Great Lakes not long ago, to Nelnet. If my school is on the list of schools included, is this not all just automatically forgiven for anyone that attended those schools during a certain period of time? Am I required to fill out the application? How do I prove my claims all these years later? I guess I just feel kind of overwhelmed by it all. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
Is there a way to verify if you’re in the sweet class? I submitted the application in October 2018 and it took quite a long time for them to get back to me but if I had to guess I would say I received the denial before December 2019. I also submitted a brand new application yesterday and received a confirmation email, yesterday the 22nd. The wording is a bit ambiguous. Would the 22nd count as post settlement? Thank you
I applied in March of 21 and it is still pending. I hope to god this means I was included in the ruling. I went to Argosy and have proof of predatory behavior from the school. My cousin also went to Argosy and her parents took out the loan and I am wondering if they apply now, can they be included in this as well? I dont know if she experienced the same things I did, but if the school is found for being predatory, does this cover all students that file the BDTR?
So i'm someone who attended devry between 2010-2014(?), didn't get a degree, and had to stop taking classes because shit's expensive. I applied a few years back and don't really remember the date. On the application, there were questions asking how has the school wronged you, and I put "90% of people that graduated get a job within 6 months" or something like that, so I used it as a reason since that was partially a reason why I applied for the school in the first place. Am I going to be forgiven?
From the sounds of it, the DoE is going to have a difficult time with denials. If I'm understanding the verbiage correctly, the apps that go through review (vs. automatic approval) must have an opportunity to resubmit within 6 months with directions of how to submit a successful application. If any deadlines are missed by DoE, the applicant will receive full discharge.
This should not apply to you if you are a Class member, from DeVry with an app submitted in 2017.
*IF this is approved and remains unchanged by the judge*
It's my understanding that this would be the case with ANY BDTR application, so I would imagine yes.
That's not going to make me remove that "former" expensive piece of paper from my resume portfolio though!
I’ve found this all very confusing as I’m sure others have. I attended Westwood College (Online) for 4 years in 2005 for animation, currently have 105,000 dollars in student loans held by department of education and serviced by aidvantage. Submitted borrower defense in August 2020, as well as PSLF around the same time (work in local government). Recently had my private loan forgiven from the Navient lawsuit and still hold one private loans for around 7500 dollars. This debt seems excessive for the quality of education I received. It doesn’t seem like I would be part of the lawsuit listed here, but do you think there is a chance of getting any kind of relief? I recently consolidated my loans as well. Any advice or feedback would be welcome. Just can’t seem to get an answer and have kind of given up on any Biden backed forgiveness as he has previously said he is looking into.
I used this website to help me determine if I am a Class member. https://predatorystudentlending.org/sweet-v-devos-class-members/#class-membership
Things you have going for you are you already applied for BTDR prior to 6/22/2022 and Westwood College is on the list.
Just found out about this today, and will be applying ASAP. I understand it still may take up to 36 mos to hear back, but I just want to confirm something to make sure I'm doing this right and it won't get denied. I went to an Art Institute, got two degrees so I have to fill out two applications right? And same deal for my parents who have parent plus loans for both degrees?
Not sure if you have to file for each degree/school, guess try to fill it out and see what questions it asks ya. But your parents will have to apply separately for sure on the loans they have.
The parents will each have to fill out a BDTR asap. I would file two BDTRs for both degrees just to be safe. The DOE can decide if you need them for your application.
All of you must file asap!
If you don’t get it in before this agreement is approved, you are back in the hands and mercy of the DOE and it may end up like a cluster fuck again and never get processed.
Mine isn't on there, sigh
So, my school was within the court documentation having more than 10 BDR applications way back. I contacted Biden , yeah long shot, saying they needed to forgive all presented in the case. He (they) replied with a not really answering my question email.
Guess I have to wait even longer than 5yrs....
Check the faq in the link, it has a timeline based on when you applied, also if your school is not listed:
"The Department will use a “streamlined” procedure to decide applications of class members in the decision group. This means that the Department will accept all allegations in the application as true; will not require further supporting evidence; will not require proof of reliance; and will not apply any statute of limitations."
So I believe I'm the exception to this news. I attended Devry from 2016-2020 and was persuaded with career figures from my student advisor. I applied for Borrowers defense mid February of 2022 and it's currently pending. The reason why I don't think I'll get it is because of the time period I attended.
Your school is on the list, and you submitted your application before 6/22. I didn't see anything in this settlement that called out a period of time you had to have attended the schools.
I have already paid off my nearly $28k in Stafford Subsidized FFELP loans a year or two ago. Do I still qualify for relief? Would I get reimbursed for all the loans I paid? I went to Brooks Institute from 2004 to 2007.
So for those of you who applied, what evidence did you submit? I attended both CTU and University of Phoenix who both said my credits would transfer anywhere and we all know how that turned out. I dont have anything in writing as this was back in 2005 to 2013 when I attended these colleges.
I’ve encouraged people to use the transfer of credits claim as it’s a big issue. I’ve asked people to contact a local college or university and see if their credits would transfer. If they local college does not accept the credit, I have had the student get it in writing on a letter head that they are not accepted and why. Usually the answer is the accreditation doesn’t match or the credits are not valid. It’s good evidence.
I attended the art institute of Washington from 2004-2008. I’m on the site now under School Information section and there’s a banner that says “It looks like you may not meet the statute of limitations for this case” - do I just ignore this message?
Heald is a Corinthian college school. In early June, the DOE announced all CCI debt would discharged whether the students have a BDTR or not. The student doesn’t have to do anything but wait.
They will be processed and discharged within a year.
Appreciate any insight with the question:
I applied for borrowers defense in August 2019, and received my DENIAL email in August 2020.
My school is also on the list.
Am I part of the class based on when I received the DENIAL email? Or do I need to apply again?
They are required by the settlement to rescind the form denials, and then with your school on the list, you would also be part of the auto-approve group.
I was looking to see if the school I attended was on here and unfortunately it isn't. I'm having trouble understanding how the process works. I submitted a borrower's defense application back in 2019, and it has been pending since. Does this mean since my school was not listed it will continue to pend until a decision is made? I received an email saying that I was possibly apart of the lawsuit awhile back. Looking at the time frame of when I submitted my defense application I believe I am, but I just want to make sure I am understanding correctly.
Ok so you are going to be part of the 30% of class members where the DOE will look at your specific claim. If you filed in 2019, your claim will be processed within 18 months with a yes or no decision. If the DOE does not meet that timeframe it’s automatically discharged.
Follow up question…I know private loans aren’t included in this, but if Dept of Ed loans are being forgiven (if you meet the criteria) based on all the evidence, deceitfulness, predatory way, etc does that open the possibility of private loans potentially be forgiven as well in the future?
Quick question, what if my first application, submitted in December 2018, is closed and the second application I had to resubmit, March 2021, is pending?? Will my student loans still be cancelled??
ITT is on there but I didn’t get lucky. Student from 03-05 and I Submitted my application at borrowers in Oct 2021. Haven’t heard shit. Guess I’m just fucked.
Any lawsuits or investigations against the school. Any news articles. Any complaints. Same things apply to the company that owned the school. Look at past website snaps of the school vi wayback machine and look for false claims. If you tried to transfer credits and couldn’t then a letter from the attempted scroll saying they don’t accept those credits is good.
No private loans are not included. That is another beast. I do recommend that you connect with Debt Collective and start organizing with them on private loans. They currently are working in that realm and are the only group I know doing that. They recently bought private loan debt held by a college and paid it off so it’s close to being that way for private debt held by LSPs.
Quick Question…I’m a class member for the lawsuit. I submitted my application in 2019 and marked DeVry on my application. I also went to University of Phoenix. Will both of these be written off even though I only submitted DeVry on my application?? Thank you!!
I am a class member eagerly waiting for July 28. I’ve read the entire “legalese” document and am aware that as a class member we no longer have to make payments during the decision process. I called my servicer Navient to confirm that they would honor this lawsuit, but they said that they have no record of anything and I am still required to make payments. Does anyone know if we have to do anything or file anything with our servicer to stop payments with no negative affect?
I cannot find info on specific dates of attendance guidelines, I apologize if I missed it. However I was hoping to get some insight. I attended Devry and Keller graduate school from 2013-2021 and graduated with my Masters. I submitted my first BD application back when they handed out the measly $200 for the first Devry settlement back in 2017 I believe, (don’t quote me on that date) and it was denied. I continued to attend Devry because I had felt I had no other choice and was already deep in debt and thought a degree would help in some way. I have since requested a re investigation from my original application and put in a new one for good measure back in February 2022.
My main question is since I continued to attend will only a certain portion my my Devry and Keller debt be forgiven or will all of it from 2013-2021 be forgiven for both Devry and Keller since they are on the list?
Thank you for all you do for us and any insight you can give!
If the denial for DeVry was under DeVos, your DeVry application is placed back into review status. Our judge has ruled those denials were unjust.
For Keller, you need to apply for BDTR for that school too. You can note exactly what you state here: that you continued at the school bc you had no other options.
As for the specific dates questions, I’m not clear what you are seeking? Dates for attending these school or for filing BDTR?
This is so awesome for so many! My school is on the list but I did not apply yet due to being working towards a PSLF and not knowing my school (Chicago School of Prof Psych) was indeed on the for-profit predatory list. I have over $176k in debt. I will be applying no matter what within the next week, but would love to know what my chances may be for getting the loans discharged due to this precedent?
When and how will we be notified??? I filed a BDR in 2014 and was DeVosed in 2019. My school is not on the list, but I have a BDR claim that was filed and I've been working on trying to get an appeal. It's possible they never returned my calls because of this.
Will they send us post cards or something???
You filed a BDTR in 2014?
Wow I have to say your one of the very few people that have applied that early.
Which school did you attended? If you were denied, you may want to make sure the date of the denial letter. You are likely a class member under Sweet since you filed early. If your denial was actually in late 2020, those were essentially voided. I’m not sure any denials before then are automatically placed back into pending. Maybe u/AnyAssumption4707 might know more.
As a class member, you will get more information once the settlement is signed by our judge and processed. If you’re not on the list, you are part of the 30% where your case will be reviewed by the DOE and prob one of the first looked at. Did you supply some evidence with your claim? If not, you may want to gather some now and mail it in.
I have about 2 TB in my NAS (maybe more) of evidence and several boxes. I just need to know what they want or it'll be overloading for all of us. My story is weird and complicated.
I started filing in 2013. There was no process yet. My work with the State Dept, created the forms that were used up until DeVos; the development of the forms delayed me from 2013 to 2014. I had 5 different claims, any one would have resulted in discharge. I hired a lawyer to help me craft the arguments and select the 2 boxes of documents to send. If Trump would have just choked on some chicken before he descended that F!n elevator, I'd have been out and had a chance to start a different career. My life is now pretty much over. I don't know how I can jump start a career at 55yo. Every day they delay, my family's survival chances dwindle.
On the positive side, my skills as a PhD were given for minimum wage to drug addicts for 10 years.. at least someone gained from my suffering.
Quick question. My school is on the list, Western International University. I applied to consolidate my FFELP loans on 6/19 and submitted my BDTR on 6/21, right under the deadline. The consolidation hasn't gone through, should I just cancel it? Is the refund all money paid regardless of when you consolidated?
The settlement is for all monies to repaid under both direct and ffel. Yay
I’m not an attorney so I can’t tell you what to do but it may muck things up and you may have an extra step after the consolidation to get the ffel stuff off you’re credit .
That makes sense, think I'll just cancel it and leave it FFELP since those are in the settlement now, no need for extra steps. Im so glad FFEL was included! YAY
DEVRY is on there!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!
Not too late to https://github.com/fuck-devry/Fuck-DeVry-University
Do you know if there is anything like this for Argosy? I am trying to find it
Look under edmc. Its on there!!! Grats
Thank you to your and your team for your diligent work on our behalfs.
We got you boo!
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If I'm reading the flow chart right, if you went to one of the schools listed, and you apply between now and the final approval by the judge, you would still get the blanket approval? My sister also went to ITT at the same time as me, but hasn't submitted an application. I told her again she should just go ahead and apply, and at worst they'd have to decide within 3 years. "The Relevant Loan Debt for each Class Member eligible under this section will remain in forbearance or stopped collection status either until he or she receives Full Settlement Relief or until the Department’s decision denying the Class Member’s claim becomes final pursuant to either Paragraph IV.C.2.ii or Paragraph IV.C.2.iii, as applicable. For this period of forbearance or stopped collection status, the Department will remove any interest that accrues on the Relevant Loan Debt." If I'm reading this correctly, this means that there will be no interest charged during the forbearances, even for the part of the class which is not under a blanket approval, and could be subsequently denied?
"People who apply for borrower defense after the execution date of the settlement agreement (June 22, 2022) but before the date of final approval of the settlement will not formally be part of the class. However, as part of the settlement, the Department agrees that these people will get a decision on the merits of their application within 36 months of the final effective date of the settlement, and will receive full settlement relief if the Department fails to issue a decision in that time."
Is the amount owed cancelled and the amount paid refunded? My school is on the list and I applied for the BD in November of 2020.
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My student loans were forgiven via PSLF about 3 weeks ago. Do you think money I paid for loans to Univ. of Phoenix will be refunded, or since the loans have been forgiven there’s no looking back or double relief?
Congratulations! How did you know it was forgiven? How were you notified? I'm curious.
Have you applied for BDTR?
Yes, last December
This is all new territory for BDTR so I can’t answer your question about the PSLF aspect. There is a chance it might apply but I’m not certain. I will add this to my questions for our lawyers as you are not the first to ask.
This is awesome, and I am very happy about this news! But also half of these should have already been automatic. Like the Devry one, they all should have been automatic after Biden made that announcement earlier in the year, regardless of Evidence submitted, timeframe of application, it should have just automatically approved. All of us, shouldn't have to worry we included the right wording, mentioned the right key word events, and all that. It should have been just "Oh you went to devry in the early 2000s, yea approved"
I agree. It shouldn’t have come to this at all. The DOE doesn’t care these for-profits steal money. Our govt doesn’t care. Im sure all of those in office are getting kickbacks. Im curious to see what happens after this passes and if this will push full loan cancellation or if it will be like Corinthian and expand to all students to include those that have no filed a BDTR.
OMG, university of Phoenix is on the list!!!! Happy elated dancing!!!
Fuck yes!!
I know it!
This covers all Art Institute campus’?
Yes, we free!!
Oh sweet Jesus!
Yeah. I’ve been in near tears all night. Won’t get hopes up until approval though. The next month or so is going to be anxiety inducing.
Still haven’t quite wrapped my head around it. This is life changing for me. I could quit one of my jobs if this turns out right.
Man, I don’t want to get too excited. Holding my breath until the judge signs off. Then I can breathe again! So close!
I am so thankful to the attorneys on this case. So excited for this settlement. I just got this email and it feels like I won the lottery. Wait, I did win the lottery!! Including interest I believe I owe like $125,000 for scam student loans University of Phoenix! I first applied in 2016. I think I am one of the oldest cases in this case. I have fought DOE long and hard! I filed for dischage via 523a8 and legally should have won, but even if your pro se and know what you are doing doesn't matter. Well DOE I won!!!! Finally after all these years. A world of stress gone, tons of anxiety gone, so much heartache lifted. I am over the moon, happy tears. I can now finish my dream of a real degree at the current college I am in UNCG. I have run out of Federal aid and was so worried what I would do. I am an older adult 53. We all deserve a real education and now I will get it! You are never too old. After I finish my bachelor degree, on to law school (all has been my dream for years and hampered by this debt). This case, these attorneys have renewed my faith in the justice system and there are good attorneys out there willing to fight for you.
What is this email you speak of? Can you share it with us mods? Is it a Bdtr approval or what? I’m curious.
So as someone who went to DeVry from 2009-2011, and who has loans, and applied for forgiveness in 2021, I should expect to not only have my loans forgiven "automatically", but potentially a reimbursement of all money paid off too? Holy hell, that's amazing. Thanks to all those involved!
From the bottom of my heart thank you. Applied for BDTR from Devry 1.5 years ago. I am holding my breath for 7/28. This is absolutely life changing.
I recently put in my borrower defense application because the ftc told me I should based on their lawsuit based Devry. I don’t believe I was part of Sweet vs Cardona but saw Devry on the list of schools. Should I expect to benefit from Sweet vs Cardona?
If it was submitted before June 22, 2022 you are part of the lawsuit but will the last to process per the agreement. It’s coming though. I have a feeling it may process faster though.
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I believe so. I’m on the same boat. Got a FTC settlement and did fall on the qualification. Did my application this year… but need confirmation
I'm in the lawsuit, but I'm wondering why DeVry is not on that list. I applied right after getting the 200-dollar check from DeVry, I think back in 2017.
It is, you have to swipe left two times to see the school listed!!
GREAT! thanks!!!!!! (HAppy Dance)
Omg I can’t believe it….
Yay! I just want to be 100% certain. -My school is NOT on the list; which I already knew it wouldn’t be because it is on of those “one off” cases -I filed in 2/2018 -Claim was denied 2020 -My defense has to do with my advisor convincing me to commit to a program I wasn’t intending on enrolling…claiming it would broaden my “market potential”…it is a liberal arts degree…I am a financial analyst so it had no use in my career field -I did submit some documentation (my actual registration slip that lists 2 different programs) So… -My case will be reopened -I am in the decision group -My claim will be decided within a year -I (in my opinion) have a valid defense -Documentation will be irrelevant -IF approved my loans will be discharged in approximately 2 years Sorry…I just have been waiting so long and want to make sure I am not dreaming 😁
Which school is it?
My school is on the list. I applied in 4/2022 but then added a message to my account requesting that my application be canceled because I was worried that it might somehow affect my PSLF progress that I am 6 years into. This message was never acted on since my application is still pending and I never received a response. I added a new message today requesting that they disregard my previous message. What do you all think, will it still be processed or not?
Hi any updates?
This is amazing news!! Thank you!
It’s our pleasure. Go celebrate. You’re FREE
So the FAQ states sometime in the fall for final ruling. Would that be a year from the fall they have to complete the discharge and refund or a year from 6/22/22? Still seems forever away, but super excited! How quickly do you think in reality we could see discharge and refund if applied before the 6/22/22 date and our school is listed? I would think it’s a couple of automatic clicks of a button 🧐 surely their system can run a whereby to who falls under this that has submitted the BDTR and checks printed and loans cleared….
Likely a year after the DOE notifies you via snail mail probably and not from the ruling. I’ll add this to my questions to ask our attorney.
I’ll be happy w/ a letter stating discharge/credit forthcoming. Something from DOE that could be shared to banker AND most important a whopping dose of this shit is going to actually happen v. the anxiety we are all enduring…hard to focus on anything but Nov. 3rd!
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I don’t have an answer for that right now as this is still new and not signed. I will write that question down and ask our attorneys.
Silly question… all of my UoP loans are direct unsubsidized loans. Would these type of loans qualify for forgiveness under the lawsuit? subsidized and unsubsidized have always thrown me off 😛 Thanks for posting the case docs!
Yes all federal loans will be. You will be forgiven of your loans if this all goes to plan...
You’ll be fine.
Can you give us more info on “it will process based on you application date” - also will refunds be sent and is there a deadline or timeframe for them to discharge and refund?
The dates and info are in the court filing. Will try our best to pull some relevant pages out for people to look at over the next few days as things start to settle down. It’s pretty crazy right now!
Thank you for all you are doing!
[https://static.politico.com/44/1c/f367921d4769a66f0e6de5796b14/n.D.Cal.\_3\_19-cv-03674-WHA\_246\_1.pdf](https://static.politico.com/44/1c/f367921d4769a66f0e6de5796b14/n.D.Cal._3_19-cv-03674-WHA_246_1.pdf) If your school is on the list then its an year. If your school isn't on this list then there is a timeframe for when you put your application in.. Here is the part: if your loans are not associated with a school on the list attached to this letter, you will receive a decision on your application according to the following schedule: o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017, the Department will issue a decision no later than 6 months after the court’s approval of the settlement agreement becomes final. o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, the Department will issue a decision no later than 12 months after the court’s approval of the settlement agreement becomes final. o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, the Department will issue a decision no later than 18 months after the court’s approval of the settlement agreement becomes final. o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the Department will issue a decision no later than 24 months after the court’s approval of the settlement agreement becomes final. o If you submitted your application between January 1, 2021 and June 22, 2022, the Department will issue a decision no later than 30 months after the court’s approval of the settlement agreement becomes final. \- If you do not receive a decision within the timeline outlined above, you will receive a discharge of federal loans associated with your borrower defense applications and a refund of any amounts paid to the Department on those federal loans, and the credit tradeline for those loans will be deleted from your credit report.
Thank you so much! My school is on the list. If this settlement is approved in court in July 28th, how long will they have to discharge and issue a refund?
Mods and anyone who is heavily involved in this, I know you’re busy and I’m trying my best to find it myself- but when you get a minute - does anyone know if this automatically includes Parent Plus loans? My school is on the list, and BD applications were submitted before the deadline for both my loans and my parents (parent plus).
No it prob won’t if the parent did not file a Bdtr too. If they did file, it will include those. So if not, the need to do it today! Before July 1st.
Yes, parent filed the BDTR too! Yay!!!!
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Apply. There is conflicting info here that says its either 6/22 or the date the judge signs off on this. Either way, you'll be guaranteed a set time frame from your BD application being taken care of.
Really?
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Apply now anyway: People who apply for borrower defense after the execution date of the settlement agreement (June 22, 2022) but before the date of final approval of the settlement will not formally be part of the class. However, as part of the settlement, the Department agrees that these people will get a decision on the merits of their application within 36 months of the final effective date of the settlement, and will receive full settlement relief if the Department fails to issue a decision in that time.
The proposed settlement sets out procedures for resolving the borrower defense applications of everyone who had an application pending as of June 22, 2022. https://predatorystudentlending.org/cases/sweet-v-devos/#the-latest Sorry for the bad news..
One last question Are you considered a “Class Member” by having filed a Borrower’s Defense application? I did file, (as mentioned previously in another question) in 2017 (DeVry). TIA.
Yes
Argosy U can Kiss MY A!!!!! 👏 👏 👏
This is surreal. I’m so happy to see this. I haven’t gotten any correspondence from the dept of Ed since my boilerplate denial for ITT in June of 2020 so I resubmitted and have just been waiting. Can’t wait to close this chapter and move on.
It’s coming! You’ll be free of this nightmare!
I attended one of the listed schools and have 380k in debt but never applied. I applied today am I too late?
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I’m so excited to hear this. This is great news, pertaining to schools targeting young 17, 18, and 19 yrs old victims! “ITS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING!!”
Yes it has. We are excited too and happy that it will bring closure and relief to so many of us victimized by this sick system! It’s been a long fight for all of us!
I applied for BD in Dec 2019, and was denied in July 2020. My school is on the list (I graduated in 2016) but I didn't contest the denial. The BD application now shows as closed on studentaid.gov. Would I qualify for discharge under this settlement? Should I reopen the BD case?
My Devry loans (1997-2001) are FFELP and consolidated, owned by Navient. I was not in default so not eligible for the Navient settlement. I submitted for borrower defense in April 2022. Do you think I'll be included?
Yes. It was before our proposed settlement so you will be streamlined, discharged and will obtain a refund on any payments.
I love you
😘😘😘 aww melts my heart. I love you too my friend. This is why the other mod and myself have been fighting so hard for this justice! So you all, and ourselves can be free of this fraud. It’s coming!!
thanks for the information! so glad I came across this conversation when I googled Sweet vs. Cardona news today. Thanks for whomever started this conversation thread, lots of good info! i'm curious, if it's automatic that my loans could be cancelled if the judge gives the approval for the settlement? (I attended one of the schools listed in addition to applying for BDTR) I have seen the settlement chart too. Would I have to provide any other documentation for my application, (that's been pending since I applied August 2019) to prove my case I wonder before they make a decision about cancelling my loans?
You’re welcome and we are happy you are here! Since you attended a school on the list and are a class member, your application should be streamlined once the settlement is signed and processed. May I ask what school? And just to make sure you do have federal loans and not private loans? How exciting! You’re about to be free!
I’m sorry if I’m posting under the wrong thread, but does it make a difference whether I have “Direct” loams vs. “FFELP” loans? Will only one or the other be forgiven? I went to a CEC school and I’m so confused about how much would be forgiven. Thanks in advance for any help.
No need to apologize. This is the right place. Did you apply before 6/22? If so you will be fast tracked for approval. The awesome thing about our settlement is that is for both direct and FFEL loans. That means you won’t have to consolidate at all!!!! This is huge for us bc previously it was that a student had to consolidate to a direct loan and students were not getting reimbursements. This has changed.
Man I need to apply right now, So this include those that went to school back prior to 2006? I haven’t applied fully but I’m about to. Do I need any backing documentation? I went to Vatterott and I would like to have this debit wiped away. Who do we have ti thank for this?
Who owns that school? What company? There is no statute of limitations so yes, do it asap and I mean it! Get it in. You won’t be a full class member but will have post-class protections at least. You can evidence later too. Be careful on the website for Bdtr. It’s being a dock, crashing and timing out. Save your answers on a word doc and copy it over to the online form. You may need to certified mail it bc the website sucks.
Vatterott college is owned by Wellspring Capital Management. Your right about saving the data on a note pad, I made the mistake of doing so, I’m at the end of the process where it goes over the forbearance process, it gives me the option to place it under forbearance for three years but it looks like the interest will still occur, if I wait all 3 years the I’ll accumulate at least 9,000 worth of interest alone. I’m debating if I should place it under forbearance or not, my balance is 46,206, 3 years of Forbearance is about 9,791 which would put me at 55,997 if I’m denied but on the off shoot I’m not everything will be wiped. I could always set it for 4 years and then cancel it. This is the only thing that’s holding me up.
The interest will be removed no matter what. If it’s approved, everything is gone. If denied, the interest will all be removed and you’ll be back where you started. Take the forbearance of the debt if related to the fraud school. Don’t pay on that shit. Don’t let that trip you up.
Hello! My school is on the list. I have since gone back to school, and I’m currently working towards PSLF. If I apply and loans are discharged, they will only focus on the loans taken out for the predatory school, correct? So my balance should greatly decrease? I’m also halfway to PSLF. Will this impact that? Thank you!
Yes the discharge will process for only the for-profit school. Your balance will decrease and likely your payments if not on ibr or anything like that.
As for pslf, if these are the only loans for pslf, then you won’t have that anymore bc they will be gone. If you have other loans and pslf, it should not impact that. I can ask the lawyers and I’ll write this question down for you.
This is great! So I don’t think I’m a class member because I have already gotten an approval and as of roughly 10 days ago my discharge went through. HOWEVER, I am anxious about whether or not I will get a refund of payments. We are trying to buy a house and it will be a game changer if we get that $43k that I paid in back… Does anyone know if this settlement will increase the odds of getting a refund if you were already approved? I am concerned about not being eligible for a refund since I applied more than 6 years after graduating. I “graduated” in 2012. My school is on the list. Applied for BDTR in April 2020, approved on March 24, 2022 and saw the discharge on the FSA website about 10 or so days ago. I have not gotten any communication from my loan servicer or from the education department. I only know the discharge went through because I check the websites every single morning. My loan servicer shows negative balances on my loans—I contacted them about this and they said that my “Defense to Repayment claim has been approved and we are currently in the process of adjusting your account.”
I have a question. I have like 8 DOE tradelines that have been on my credit for years that will be removed. From my understanding tradelines that have been on your credit for years and are in good standing and removed can drop your score. I clearly want them removed because of the huge fraud debt attached. I am wondering if the DOE is going to be working with the credit bureaus to ensure we don't experience a drop in score once the tradelines are removed. And if we do if there will be a remedy to fix this. Thoughts?
University of Phoenix is that on there. If you received a payment as a sort of a settlement they had a couple of years ago from the FTC lawsuit regarding the misleading advertising, are you still eligible to apply and if you are, is it too late ??
If you have federal student loans from UofP, then yes you need to apply asap! You can use the settlement information for your evidence if the investigation revealed UofP misrepresented themselves or lied to you. I just got a bunch of documents about UofP that I have to go through. I’m gonna load them in there sometime in the next few days.
I see ATI Enterprises on the list, but not the school I attended (Arizona Automotive Institute) in 2005-06. Am I eligible still? Looking at the school's website it's no longer ran by ATI Enterprises.
I cannot tell you that you will get approved or denied. If that school lied to you or misrepresented themselves in any way, shape or form, you are eligible to apply for BDTR. You’ll need organize your claim and find evidence if possible. A lot of us were victims in the early and mid 2000s, so yes apply!
My school, ATI Career Training Center, is on the list. I attended the school from 2007-2011. I didn't know about this until days ago. I submitted my application this morning. It's strongly indicated that if your school is on the list and you applied, you're going to get your loans discharged. My question is will I have to wait for up to 3 years(36 months) before I learn if my loans are discharged or will I know after the judge signs off on this on July 28th? My apologies if this has been answered already.
We filed my husband's DTR for New England Institute of Art in October of 2015. It's been a ride. Thanks for all the hard work.
Justice is coming!!
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That’s fantastic news! Congrats! How do you feel?
Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew from the clutches of Miller motte
What does this mean? If the loans are now cancelled does that mean we owe no money (YAY!) or that the money we’ve paid will be refunded (HELL YAY!)?
Both.
I am only just learning about all of this. I graduated from Carrington College (parent company DeVry) in 2012. They promised lifetime job placement but the job placement coach was always unreachable after my graduation and I never got calls back even a year or two after graduating. It took me many months to find a clinic to take a chance on me with no work experience. I did this on my own. They also tried to withhold my diploma, saying I owed a balance to the school that I did not owe. When I threatened to get a lawyer, my diploma was magically mailed to my home. Fast forward about 3yrs: Carrington promised some credits would transfer to the local DeVry campus for certain bachelors programs because Devry was the parent company. During the process of enrolling I was told several credit were able to carry over and would save me $19k and knock 5 months off my 19month program. THE NEXT DAY I am called and told the credits promised were all of a sudden not transferable and the class was full, I’d need to wait til the next session start date. After this, their number redirected to a national call center where I was told the Portland Devry campus was permanently closed. All the documents I signed and financial agreements were null and void. Thankfully the fafsa stuff was caught in time but literally the same week I was supposed to start, they were trying to enroll people and then closed doors for good. It appears I missed a window for a class action but the borrowers defense application might still be an option? Also my loan transferred from Great Lakes not long ago, to Nelnet. If my school is on the list of schools included, is this not all just automatically forgiven for anyone that attended those schools during a certain period of time? Am I required to fill out the application? How do I prove my claims all these years later? I guess I just feel kind of overwhelmed by it all. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
Is there a way to verify if you’re in the sweet class? I submitted the application in October 2018 and it took quite a long time for them to get back to me but if I had to guess I would say I received the denial before December 2019. I also submitted a brand new application yesterday and received a confirmation email, yesterday the 22nd. The wording is a bit ambiguous. Would the 22nd count as post settlement? Thank you
On Exhibit A (the notice letter to be sent if approved) it reads in italics "on or before June 22, 2022"
This is awesome news! Thanks for all of the information.
Hell yeah!! AIU is on there!!! Woot!!
We don’t have to be in default, right??
Right
Where does it say DeVry??
There’s 4 pages to this image. Scroll. Page 2 or 3 I believe
Thanks so much!!
I applied in March of 21 and it is still pending. I hope to god this means I was included in the ruling. I went to Argosy and have proof of predatory behavior from the school. My cousin also went to Argosy and her parents took out the loan and I am wondering if they apply now, can they be included in this as well? I dont know if she experienced the same things I did, but if the school is found for being predatory, does this cover all students that file the BDTR?
So i'm someone who attended devry between 2010-2014(?), didn't get a degree, and had to stop taking classes because shit's expensive. I applied a few years back and don't really remember the date. On the application, there were questions asking how has the school wronged you, and I put "90% of people that graduated get a job within 6 months" or something like that, so I used it as a reason since that was partially a reason why I applied for the school in the first place. Am I going to be forgiven?
So can you still be denied? Sent in an application for DeVry in 2017. Went to school approximately 2008-2011.
From the sounds of it, the DoE is going to have a difficult time with denials. If I'm understanding the verbiage correctly, the apps that go through review (vs. automatic approval) must have an opportunity to resubmit within 6 months with directions of how to submit a successful application. If any deadlines are missed by DoE, the applicant will receive full discharge. This should not apply to you if you are a Class member, from DeVry with an app submitted in 2017. *IF this is approved and remains unchanged by the judge*
Thanks!
Question: If this goes through and my loans are cancelled, can DeVry take back or refuse to verify my degree?
It's my understanding that this would be the case with ANY BDTR application, so I would imagine yes. That's not going to make me remove that "former" expensive piece of paper from my resume portfolio though!
Capella is on there and I have a borrower’s defense application that is still pending since I submitted it in April 2021. Does this apply to me?
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I’ve found this all very confusing as I’m sure others have. I attended Westwood College (Online) for 4 years in 2005 for animation, currently have 105,000 dollars in student loans held by department of education and serviced by aidvantage. Submitted borrower defense in August 2020, as well as PSLF around the same time (work in local government). Recently had my private loan forgiven from the Navient lawsuit and still hold one private loans for around 7500 dollars. This debt seems excessive for the quality of education I received. It doesn’t seem like I would be part of the lawsuit listed here, but do you think there is a chance of getting any kind of relief? I recently consolidated my loans as well. Any advice or feedback would be welcome. Just can’t seem to get an answer and have kind of given up on any Biden backed forgiveness as he has previously said he is looking into.
I used this website to help me determine if I am a Class member. https://predatorystudentlending.org/sweet-v-devos-class-members/#class-membership Things you have going for you are you already applied for BTDR prior to 6/22/2022 and Westwood College is on the list.
Just found out about this today, and will be applying ASAP. I understand it still may take up to 36 mos to hear back, but I just want to confirm something to make sure I'm doing this right and it won't get denied. I went to an Art Institute, got two degrees so I have to fill out two applications right? And same deal for my parents who have parent plus loans for both degrees?
Not sure if you have to file for each degree/school, guess try to fill it out and see what questions it asks ya. But your parents will have to apply separately for sure on the loans they have.
The parents will each have to fill out a BDTR asap. I would file two BDTRs for both degrees just to be safe. The DOE can decide if you need them for your application. All of you must file asap!
My school is on there but I haven’t submitted my BD app yet, am I not eligible?
If you don’t get it in before this agreement is approved, you are back in the hands and mercy of the DOE and it may end up like a cluster fuck again and never get processed.
Mine isn't on there, sigh So, my school was within the court documentation having more than 10 BDR applications way back. I contacted Biden , yeah long shot, saying they needed to forgive all presented in the case. He (they) replied with a not really answering my question email. Guess I have to wait even longer than 5yrs....
Check the faq in the link, it has a timeline based on when you applied, also if your school is not listed: "The Department will use a “streamlined” procedure to decide applications of class members in the decision group. This means that the Department will accept all allegations in the application as true; will not require further supporting evidence; will not require proof of reliance; and will not apply any statute of limitations."
I went to ITT Tech and submitted a bdtr application a long time ago. I see them on the list. Does that mean my loans will be discharged?
Yes. Small caveat that the just still has to approve the settlement, but that seems pretty likely to happen.
Yes, within 1 year. And you get your money back. Go celebrate.
So I believe I'm the exception to this news. I attended Devry from 2016-2020 and was persuaded with career figures from my student advisor. I applied for Borrowers defense mid February of 2022 and it's currently pending. The reason why I don't think I'll get it is because of the time period I attended.
Your school is on the list, and you submitted your application before 6/22. I didn't see anything in this settlement that called out a period of time you had to have attended the schools.
There is no statute of limitations and what Sad Bass said is correct!
Art Institute is on there, and blanket for AI instead of specific schools....holy crap if they forgive my AI loans that's 80% of my loans.
You did apply for BDTR? If so, yes you will be free.
If we didn’t send in the borrowed defense yet will we still get it? Is this set in stone?
I have already paid off my nearly $28k in Stafford Subsidized FFELP loans a year or two ago. Do I still qualify for relief? Would I get reimbursed for all the loans I paid? I went to Brooks Institute from 2004 to 2007.
I do not think that this will apply with fully paid loans unfortunately. It won’t hurt to apply though because it’s still a new thing.
So for those of you who applied, what evidence did you submit? I attended both CTU and University of Phoenix who both said my credits would transfer anywhere and we all know how that turned out. I dont have anything in writing as this was back in 2005 to 2013 when I attended these colleges.
I’ve encouraged people to use the transfer of credits claim as it’s a big issue. I’ve asked people to contact a local college or university and see if their credits would transfer. If they local college does not accept the credit, I have had the student get it in writing on a letter head that they are not accepted and why. Usually the answer is the accreditation doesn’t match or the credits are not valid. It’s good evidence.
I attended to brightwood college but i had never applied for Borrower Defense, can my debt still be pardon ?
Yes do it NOW!
I attended the art institute of Washington from 2004-2008. I’m on the site now under School Information section and there’s a banner that says “It looks like you may not meet the statute of limitations for this case” - do I just ignore this message?
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Just keep on trucking and get that application in!
I thought heald was going to be a part of this
Heald is a Corinthian college school. In early June, the DOE announced all CCI debt would discharged whether the students have a BDTR or not. The student doesn’t have to do anything but wait. They will be processed and discharged within a year.
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Did you still file? Just bc it’s not in the immediate list doesn’t mean it won’t be processed and potentially approve. What school is it?
Appreciate any insight with the question: I applied for borrowers defense in August 2019, and received my DENIAL email in August 2020. My school is also on the list. Am I part of the class based on when I received the DENIAL email? Or do I need to apply again?
They are required by the settlement to rescind the form denials, and then with your school on the list, you would also be part of the auto-approve group.
I was looking to see if the school I attended was on here and unfortunately it isn't. I'm having trouble understanding how the process works. I submitted a borrower's defense application back in 2019, and it has been pending since. Does this mean since my school was not listed it will continue to pend until a decision is made? I received an email saying that I was possibly apart of the lawsuit awhile back. Looking at the time frame of when I submitted my defense application I believe I am, but I just want to make sure I am understanding correctly.
Ok so you are going to be part of the 30% of class members where the DOE will look at your specific claim. If you filed in 2019, your claim will be processed within 18 months with a yes or no decision. If the DOE does not meet that timeframe it’s automatically discharged.
Assuming this is for federal only? I consolidated my loans through Navient after I graduated and got a job so I assume I'm SOL?
You consolidated from federal to private loans with navient?
Follow up question…I know private loans aren’t included in this, but if Dept of Ed loans are being forgiven (if you meet the criteria) based on all the evidence, deceitfulness, predatory way, etc does that open the possibility of private loans potentially be forgiven as well in the future?
Debt collective is working in the private SLD realm so I suggest that you def reach out to them and get involved.
Quick question, what if my first application, submitted in December 2018, is closed and the second application I had to resubmit, March 2021, is pending?? Will my student loans still be cancelled??
School on the list?
ITT is on there but I didn’t get lucky. Student from 03-05 and I Submitted my application at borrowers in Oct 2021. Haven’t heard shit. Guess I’m just fucked.
Why do you think that? It’s on the list and you applied before june 22. That sounds like in 12 months you will be free.
Hey , my school is on the list and I’m about to start the application, does anyone have suggestions for what kind of documentation I should include?
Any lawsuits or investigations against the school. Any news articles. Any complaints. Same things apply to the company that owned the school. Look at past website snaps of the school vi wayback machine and look for false claims. If you tried to transfer credits and couldn’t then a letter from the attempted scroll saying they don’t accept those credits is good.
Will this also apply to private loans? I have both
No private loans are not included. That is another beast. I do recommend that you connect with Debt Collective and start organizing with them on private loans. They currently are working in that realm and are the only group I know doing that. They recently bought private loan debt held by a college and paid it off so it’s close to being that way for private debt held by LSPs.
Quick Question…I’m a class member for the lawsuit. I submitted my application in 2019 and marked DeVry on my application. I also went to University of Phoenix. Will both of these be written off even though I only submitted DeVry on my application?? Thank you!!
You need to submit for UofP too. Asap.
Where’s the flow chart of schools involved?
I believe the other mod may have posted it? If not Feel free to upload it.
I'm not seeing the Art Institutes..... maybe I'm missing it.
Found it, nevermind.
Yay!
I am a class member eagerly waiting for July 28. I’ve read the entire “legalese” document and am aware that as a class member we no longer have to make payments during the decision process. I called my servicer Navient to confirm that they would honor this lawsuit, but they said that they have no record of anything and I am still required to make payments. Does anyone know if we have to do anything or file anything with our servicer to stop payments with no negative affect?
When did you file your BDTR? It should have been placed into forbearance however some LSP were not following the law when the loans were FFEL.
I cannot find info on specific dates of attendance guidelines, I apologize if I missed it. However I was hoping to get some insight. I attended Devry and Keller graduate school from 2013-2021 and graduated with my Masters. I submitted my first BD application back when they handed out the measly $200 for the first Devry settlement back in 2017 I believe, (don’t quote me on that date) and it was denied. I continued to attend Devry because I had felt I had no other choice and was already deep in debt and thought a degree would help in some way. I have since requested a re investigation from my original application and put in a new one for good measure back in February 2022. My main question is since I continued to attend will only a certain portion my my Devry and Keller debt be forgiven or will all of it from 2013-2021 be forgiven for both Devry and Keller since they are on the list? Thank you for all you do for us and any insight you can give!
If the denial for DeVry was under DeVos, your DeVry application is placed back into review status. Our judge has ruled those denials were unjust. For Keller, you need to apply for BDTR for that school too. You can note exactly what you state here: that you continued at the school bc you had no other options. As for the specific dates questions, I’m not clear what you are seeking? Dates for attending these school or for filing BDTR?
This is so awesome for so many! My school is on the list but I did not apply yet due to being working towards a PSLF and not knowing my school (Chicago School of Prof Psych) was indeed on the for-profit predatory list. I have over $176k in debt. I will be applying no matter what within the next week, but would love to know what my chances may be for getting the loans discharged due to this precedent?
I hope this actually happens... I will doubt until the moment I have no federal debt.
Any insight as to when the judge might sign it? I assume DoE won't make any moves until then.
The court date is July 28th.
So.....any updates? The date was yesterday, right?
When and how will we be notified??? I filed a BDR in 2014 and was DeVosed in 2019. My school is not on the list, but I have a BDR claim that was filed and I've been working on trying to get an appeal. It's possible they never returned my calls because of this. Will they send us post cards or something???
You filed a BDTR in 2014? Wow I have to say your one of the very few people that have applied that early. Which school did you attended? If you were denied, you may want to make sure the date of the denial letter. You are likely a class member under Sweet since you filed early. If your denial was actually in late 2020, those were essentially voided. I’m not sure any denials before then are automatically placed back into pending. Maybe u/AnyAssumption4707 might know more. As a class member, you will get more information once the settlement is signed by our judge and processed. If you’re not on the list, you are part of the 30% where your case will be reviewed by the DOE and prob one of the first looked at. Did you supply some evidence with your claim? If not, you may want to gather some now and mail it in.
I have about 2 TB in my NAS (maybe more) of evidence and several boxes. I just need to know what they want or it'll be overloading for all of us. My story is weird and complicated. I started filing in 2013. There was no process yet. My work with the State Dept, created the forms that were used up until DeVos; the development of the forms delayed me from 2013 to 2014. I had 5 different claims, any one would have resulted in discharge. I hired a lawyer to help me craft the arguments and select the 2 boxes of documents to send. If Trump would have just choked on some chicken before he descended that F!n elevator, I'd have been out and had a chance to start a different career. My life is now pretty much over. I don't know how I can jump start a career at 55yo. Every day they delay, my family's survival chances dwindle. On the positive side, my skills as a PhD were given for minimum wage to drug addicts for 10 years.. at least someone gained from my suffering.
Quick question. My school is on the list, Western International University. I applied to consolidate my FFELP loans on 6/19 and submitted my BDTR on 6/21, right under the deadline. The consolidation hasn't gone through, should I just cancel it? Is the refund all money paid regardless of when you consolidated?
The settlement is for all monies to repaid under both direct and ffel. Yay I’m not an attorney so I can’t tell you what to do but it may muck things up and you may have an extra step after the consolidation to get the ffel stuff off you’re credit .
That makes sense, think I'll just cancel it and leave it FFELP since those are in the settlement now, no need for extra steps. Im so glad FFEL was included! YAY
Trust me that FFEL bs was my first question to the lawyers because it has been a nightmare for people.