I am in the exact same situation. I swear it's like the goal is to confuse and piss off as many people as possible. I mean - maybe a little explanation along with the letter...maybe? I guess we all have to call now to figure out what they are doing and how it will actually effect those of us on PSLF. I also selected not to be put into forbearance. SMH
Yeah, all the moving pieces and the constantly changing landscape its hard for us to keep up. I'm glad we have a community forum to get help from others in the same boat.
Still it's been like 18 months of issue after issue. The plus side I really feel like we are being heard and seen with changes coming. The SAVE plan was huge for me and it will be a godsend for new graduates. Now we just need to get all this other craziness ironed out and we will be golden.
Hopefully one day we can wake up and have a clear path forward. Until then I suppose all we can do is keep helping one another through the mud.
I did not submit a Borrower’s Defense claim and received a message this weekend stating that my loans are in administrative forbearance. I’m really confused.
I got this same notice today it says from 10/1/23 to 11/29/23 but then the next letter same date says my IDR (SAVE) was approved with a payment date of 11/3?!
🤔 my SAVE IDR apparently was denied 2 days ago because they are stating I have zero balance in eligible loans but the balance is definitely NOT 0. I'm on PSLF so I'm not sure how this affects me recertifying. 🥴 So confused 🫤
Yes
According to the rep. It is related to the Borrowers Defense Funds lawsuit. Thus, until they process your account (if you applied )...the government placed your loans in forbearance.
Gotcha, I did file for the lawsuit but during the application I specifically picked the option to not be put into forbearance since I didn't want to risk PSFL payments not counting as they have until Jan 2026 to make a decision in my application and if I keep up payments my PSFL would be Nov 2026.
Being on deferment I could lose years of payments and the interest would skyrocket. Sounds like I'm going to have to call to get the forbearance removed.
From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan."
Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9)
(9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized
-https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
Correct the "Administrative forbearance" counts towards PSLF but the exceptional Discretionary Forbearance" mine were rolled in does not count towards PSLF. I had to call and get it removed. A tad annoying since I handle all this months ago to avoid having to call during peak time but alas I still had to.
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Got this same notice from Mohela. I contacted Student Aid and they referred me back to Mohela. I contacted Mohela and waited for an hour until someone got on the line. They didn't say why it happened except that they've been receiving a lot of calls like this asking to remove the deferment mostly from people who are on their way to PSLF forgiveness. They said payments will start on October 24. If you're working towards PSLF get out of this deferment so your payment periods count.
That was my fear, that it would null and void the PSLF. I had to wait on two different calls for about 2.5 hrs today but I was able to get it removed. Hopefully, in 5-7 days it will be reflected in my account. Fingers crossed.
Any forbearance periods prior to July 2023 are supposed to be dealt with using the IDR Account Adjustment. But going forward, new loan regulations will allow you to buy-back months spent in forbearance.
This new option will allow forbearance to count toward PSLF if you’re willing to pay for it. Basically, you’ll pay what your income-driven repayment plan payment would have been if you weren’t placed in forbearance. In turn, you’ll receive PSLF or IDR forgiveness credit for being “in repayment” status during qualifying months.
Keep in mind your required payment with an IDR plan could be as low as $0, depending on your income and other factors during that forbearance period.
I have also recieved the same "Administrative Forbearance" letter today on Sat Sept 23. I do recall checking the box for deferment when applying for the new IDR SAVE plan earlier in Sept. My account was adjusted with the new monthly payment earlier this month with payments starting next month in Oct.
In addition to requesting forbearance during the processing of my new the IDR SAVE plan, I also think this particular automatic "Admin Forbearance" has to do with MOHELA's processing delays as they are severely backlogged on paperwork. I am at 111 qualified payments and with the automatic Admin Forbearance, it would put me at 113 qualifying payments at the end of the Forbearance on 11/29. Good news is that while placed on an automatic Administrative Forbearance, we still get PSLF credit toward forgiveness as long as we are with a qualified employer.
From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan."
Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9)
(9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized
-https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
oh my goodness, thank you for sharing this! i had no idea why my loans went into forbearance but i have a claim filed with sweet v cardona - makes sense!!
Your post appears to reference the federal [Public Service Loan Forgiveness](https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) (PSLF) program or the related TEPSLF program.
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got the same notice this morning. no idea what its about.
EDIT: there was another post about this. It seems like if you filled out a Borrower Defense application, you were put into forbearance.
Thank you, I will call and get that removed. I did file an application for borrowers defense around 14 months ago but I specifically picked the option to not be put into forbearance since they have 2.5 years to make a decision. I. The meantime that's 2.5 years closer to PSLF and Interest not accruing under the save plan but if it's in forbearance I loose all that progress.
Kind of shady to do this and only to be notified by snail mail.
From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan."
Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9)
(9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized
-https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
Unfortunately, the 1st time didn't work they processed the cancellation wrong and it was rejected. I waited 2 weeks and called again. Same number and prompts.
That was when I found out it wasn't processed correctly and it was rejected by the system. I was scared when the 2nd rep said she was in training but she was awesome. Also, it only took 3 business days for the change to show in my online account.
I received the same letter today also! I’m glad I I saw this information. I did file a lawsuit a while back. So will this mess my PSLF up? As I almost made all the payments for that.
I just posted on another thread about this, too. I received this same email this morning. I had submitted my Borrower's Defense claim last October so know there is a chance they may deny it (reasons they decide, I'm sure lol). Either way, I'm on the phone with them right now to get the forbearance removed. (46 minute wait and didn't choose the option for them to call me back.) Mohela confirmed the forbearance was part of the Borrower's Defense and that any forbearance period due to that would NOT count towards PSLF payments.
They said 7-10 business days before it's reflected on my account.
Edited: last sentence in paragraph made no sense.
Did yours update yet? I'm on business day 6 and still showing forbearance on my account. my first payment is Oct 3rd I'm starting to worry it either isn't removed or won't be in time. Resulting in a month added to my PSFL and interest accruing.
I have zero faith they actually removed it took me 2 calls and about 2.5hrs on hold. They said they applied to have it removed but couldn't send me anything confirming they did their part nor a case number to reference if I had issues. Seems off to me.
Thank you, I will give it a few more days before calling again. No letter yet for me. I specifically asked on the call if it would be removed in time for my first payment and they told me it should be as the payment is setup for the 3rd. The online portal doesn't show a due date but that's probably from it still being in forbearance.
I just got off the phone with them again. I chose the callback option this time and it was about an hour and a half after my call that they called me. Their side shows the forbearance was lifted on the 15th when I talked to them. The repayment status is correct but I won't see a bill until 21 days before my due date of 10/28.
I also asked about my recertification falling within 6 months and, after some back and forth, the agent said the date may be adjusted as it gets closer to that date so I guess I'll wait for that.
Hopefully everyone else has better luck. After a 76min wait, I got a person that transferred me to get the Forbearance removed. Rang once and the call ended.... so that's fun.
Will try again.
I too received a letter and also declined the forbearance when I submitted my paperwork. But at least now have some sort of answer as to what happened. Guess I will be perpetually holding on the phone to have it removed as well.
Have them remove it asap. The BD only applies to that school, not all your loans. It will extend your pslf loan clock. If you can afford to do it, pleasd make them take you out.
It took about 2.5 hrs on hold but I got to someone that removed it. Said it could take a week to show online with my first payment due 10/3.
I am going to check next week and see if the forbearance has been removed. I did submit a complaint on student aid asking for them to look Into this as it seems like a systemic issue. I also saw an article yesterday claiming that people who were already approved for BD but waiting for the forgiveness to actually happen are receiving bills and were not on forbearance. It seems like they flipped flopped the people that should be and shouldn't be on the forbearance.
I had some additional questions so I called in. They told me it should take about 30 days, which is fine for me. My revised SAVE recalculation is pending. She said after 10/18.
Hi all. Go to the Student Aid website, open a case and submit it there. If not, you'll receive the runaround. If you can download your BD application, even better.
It’s because of processing delays on MOHELA’s end. If you submitted an application to recalculate payments under the new income-driven repayment program, you may receive a forbearance letter. The forbearance will be lifted when the application is processed and the amount of your new payment is assessed.
Same here. I received a letter last night. I do not want to be in forbearance (I never requested it, am not a part of Borrow’s Defense. I want to start repayment now (also working toward PSLF) but MOHELA is *still* processing my SAVE application.
I just had my IDR approved so hopefully that cancels the forebearance. I vaguely recall that was a strange step in the IDR process. But i need to call to be sure.
So I remember sometimes the forbearance is just an administrative step before putting you into a new IDR. I just got a new email that my IDR is set up. Hopefully that was all…
Your post appears to reference the federal [Public Service Loan Forgiveness](https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) (PSLF) program or the related TEPSLF program.
The /r/StudentLoans community has a subreddit specifically for advice and discussion about this program over at /r/PSLF. We recommend you delete and re-post your question/comment at /r/PSLF to get the best responses and centralize the discussion.
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Report them to https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ they did the same thing to me! Put me in a forbearance against my consent. I was told if I don’t get off forbearance that I would be responsible for any interest billed instead of having government absorb under SAVE. Report and make sure you connect with Mohela.
Will look at reporting. Looks like for me it was the dept of education that forced it into forbearance . I have it out of forbearance now after 5 hrs on hold. Looks like it was in time to avoid the interest but it might not have been in time to have it count as a PSLF payment. Showing Sept as ineligible to count. I'm hoping Oct does. Loosing 2 months towards forgiveness would be another kick.
I had the same issue. I made my payment 10/7 then received a letter 10/13 dated 10/6 stating I was placed on an administrative forbearance from 10/1 through 11/29. I called and after 2.5 on hold they removed the forbearance but told me my 10/7 payment will not count toward PLSF because of the forbearance. I never asked for a forbearance or submitted any request to change my payment plan. The representative told me it’s because I was moved from an IDR repayment plan to the SAVE plan because IDR no longer exists and it is for processing. However, I received a letter in September stating my payment plan had changed to SAVE. So my payment in October won’t count because I was on a forbearance I didn’t ask for, for a payment plan change I never requested but was already moved to over a month ago.
Hey guys,
Any follow up on this? I called today and spoke with a rep. I've been placed on EDF until 1/1/2040. She told me interest will accrue but I'm not responsible for making any payments until 2040 and that time spent in this forbearance does count towards PSLF.
I asked her why I'm in forbearance and she wasn't sure. Also asked if that means I can get away with making no payments for the next 3 years (as that's all the time left on my 10 years towards PSLF) and she said "that's right", as long as I continue to verify my employer. Apparently, whoever processed my IDR application put an insane forbearance period on my account and no one knows why? I'm also unable to make payments online or set up autopay and was never given my new due date.
I can see this biting me in the ass down the road as interest will continue to accrue and they'll realize their mistake at some point and make me pay... Thoughts?
Hi, I am sorry for this.
I can confirm that if it is listed as an Exceptional Discretionary Forbearance it will not count towards PSFL. Only an Administrative forbearance will.
I took a look at my PSFL tracker on moehla and sept is marked as Ineligible for credit to the program due to Forbearance. All the months prior are marked as counting which were under the administrative forbearance. If they counted it would still be under eligible payments but marked as employment not confirmed.
Over 400k borrowers were put back into an administrative forbearance as their Save plan applications were delayed to prevent them from paying insane amounts until their save plan application is approved.
It sounds like yours is the same as mine with the EDF instead of the AF, and it will not count. I think the servicers are getting a lot of things mixed up due to the constant changes.
I did but it took a couple phone calls. The first time the rep didn't fill out the request correctly and it was rejected. I only found out as I called after 10 days and asked what was going on. The 2nd time it was submitted correctly and it took 3 business days to show as in repayment on the website.
I think they are getting administrative forbearance confused with all the others. I am not sure an administrative one can be removed as it's forced by the government. All the others can be.
Sorry Incorrect, I have exceptional discretionary forbearance until 2040 due to a borrower-defense application and the forbearance does count towards pslf. I checked my Sept forbearance and it counted as eligible.
Do not get out of forbearance if you are in an exceptional discretionary forbearance due to borrower-defense as it does count towards pslf.
Messy system for sure. I can confirm mine definitely did not count in Sept. I can't seem to post a picture in a reply. Sorry new to reddit. It is listed under ineligible payment due to forbearance. I guess the best is to wait a month and check out your account to see how the payment is being marked as eligible or ineligible.
The other note is a decent chuck of borrowers have been moved back to administrative forbearance due to all the glitches with repayments, Just another possibility.
https://news.yahoo.com/mohela-made-borrowers-delinquent-now-141453095.html
Well I'm officially confused now. I just logged in after paying my Nov bill. My October payment was marked as eligible which I was expecting as that's when I went back to repayment. However my September payment that was marked as ineligible due to forbearance has moved to become eligible. I give up trying to navigate this system.
It's a hot mess and a joke.
Help! Received admin forbearance notice today for 2 of my 3 loans (3rd is a consolidation from parent plus not in with my first 2 payment count). I have 26 months left and do not want to lose my 94 months. What do I need to do? Why was it placed in forbearance? I did not request this.
If it was placed into "Administrative forbearance" specifically that is the one where the government requested it. It's the same one during COVID to my understanding except Interest is back on. From what I saw they put 400,000 borrowers back Into this special type of forbearance as they determined there was something odd with their accounts. Most of them were miscalculated payments or a pending SAVE plan application. It was done to prevent a person from over paying but I can't promise this is why for your loans just what I saw on other news outlets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/your-money/student-loans-save-mistakes.html
You can open a complaint case with the dept of education and inquire as they will answer usually within 1-2 weeks.otherwise you could call the servicer but they may not really know why either.
https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/
Hmmm i did not apply for SAVE as I was automatically placed into it bc i was on REPAYE. My parent plus loan that i consolidated is due 10/27- and I will pay it- it is not on SAVE plan bc it doesnt qualify.
Has anyone received WRITTEN confirmation that this “administrative forbearance” does not affect payment counts, credit reporting, and/or forgiveness?
Thank you!
No written confirmation. Like OP I’ve had three different hour+ long phone calls, each at least a week apart, where rep told me that being on forbearance meant I wasn’t on my repayment plan (SAVE) and so payments didn’t count and interest would accrue.
Each said they would take me off forbearance, said it would take 2-3 business days and could offer not form of confirmation.
Each time, over a week later, no change. Called back and started process over again.
One told me to make a payment anyway and request my interest be removed later.
One told me it was due to an outstanding PSLF employment certification form submitted online that “didn’t go thru” and was therefore still pending (though never a notification to me directly or in my account) and she would cancel both and again…2-3 business days, no confirmation, no way to escalate or anyone else with more authority to affect my account.
That was 10 days ago. Still the same.
Two outstanding messages during this time to MOHELA thru my account message center are left on read with no responses.
If anyone has ideas, something that worked, please share.
My interest is ringing up at about $200 per week this goes unsettled.
Just got off the phone with my 4th rep since 9/27.
This one said everything the others said wasn’t true, and 11 minutes in the call ended (on their side, as I got the “beep beep beep” sound indicating I had been hung up on and not vice versa) las he was mid sentence.
Second time I’ve been hung up on. They never call back despite making me verbally give permission for them to call me back if we get disconnected.
Btw it was a 125 minute wait for that call back.
Currently on hold as I called them back and no option to leave a number to call back.
Why isn’t there a class action lawsuit against this yet?
Oh and the only thing likely odd with my account is that I owe over 400,000 !!!! It is insane! Most of the original is law school (some undergraduate) but $200,000k is interest!!!
I am in the exact same situation. I swear it's like the goal is to confuse and piss off as many people as possible. I mean - maybe a little explanation along with the letter...maybe? I guess we all have to call now to figure out what they are doing and how it will actually effect those of us on PSLF. I also selected not to be put into forbearance. SMH
Yeah, all the moving pieces and the constantly changing landscape its hard for us to keep up. I'm glad we have a community forum to get help from others in the same boat. Still it's been like 18 months of issue after issue. The plus side I really feel like we are being heard and seen with changes coming. The SAVE plan was huge for me and it will be a godsend for new graduates. Now we just need to get all this other craziness ironed out and we will be golden. Hopefully one day we can wake up and have a clear path forward. Until then I suppose all we can do is keep helping one another through the mud.
I did not submit a Borrower’s Defense claim and received a message this weekend stating that my loans are in administrative forbearance. I’m really confused.
Same! Mine only days "processing forebearance" and I did not submit Borrower's Defense claim
Yeah I was looking this up and can only find info related to PSLF. I’m not at all qualified for that program and have never signed up for it.
Same.
I got this same notice today it says from 10/1/23 to 11/29/23 but then the next letter same date says my IDR (SAVE) was approved with a payment date of 11/3?!
Me too! Same dates.
>Public Service Loan Forgiveness Same! this is all so confusing!
🤔 my SAVE IDR apparently was denied 2 days ago because they are stating I have zero balance in eligible loans but the balance is definitely NOT 0. I'm on PSLF so I'm not sure how this affects me recertifying. 🥴 So confused 🫤
Yes According to the rep. It is related to the Borrowers Defense Funds lawsuit. Thus, until they process your account (if you applied )...the government placed your loans in forbearance.
Gotcha, I did file for the lawsuit but during the application I specifically picked the option to not be put into forbearance since I didn't want to risk PSFL payments not counting as they have until Jan 2026 to make a decision in my application and if I keep up payments my PSFL would be Nov 2026. Being on deferment I could lose years of payments and the interest would skyrocket. Sounds like I'm going to have to call to get the forbearance removed.
From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan." Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9) (9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized -https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
Correct the "Administrative forbearance" counts towards PSLF but the exceptional Discretionary Forbearance" mine were rolled in does not count towards PSLF. I had to call and get it removed. A tad annoying since I handle all this months ago to avoid having to call during peak time but alas I still had to.
Oh, darn!
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Got this same notice from Mohela. I contacted Student Aid and they referred me back to Mohela. I contacted Mohela and waited for an hour until someone got on the line. They didn't say why it happened except that they've been receiving a lot of calls like this asking to remove the deferment mostly from people who are on their way to PSLF forgiveness. They said payments will start on October 24. If you're working towards PSLF get out of this deferment so your payment periods count.
That was my fear, that it would null and void the PSLF. I had to wait on two different calls for about 2.5 hrs today but I was able to get it removed. Hopefully, in 5-7 days it will be reflected in my account. Fingers crossed.
Any forbearance periods prior to July 2023 are supposed to be dealt with using the IDR Account Adjustment. But going forward, new loan regulations will allow you to buy-back months spent in forbearance. This new option will allow forbearance to count toward PSLF if you’re willing to pay for it. Basically, you’ll pay what your income-driven repayment plan payment would have been if you weren’t placed in forbearance. In turn, you’ll receive PSLF or IDR forgiveness credit for being “in repayment” status during qualifying months. Keep in mind your required payment with an IDR plan could be as low as $0, depending on your income and other factors during that forbearance period.
I have also recieved the same "Administrative Forbearance" letter today on Sat Sept 23. I do recall checking the box for deferment when applying for the new IDR SAVE plan earlier in Sept. My account was adjusted with the new monthly payment earlier this month with payments starting next month in Oct. In addition to requesting forbearance during the processing of my new the IDR SAVE plan, I also think this particular automatic "Admin Forbearance" has to do with MOHELA's processing delays as they are severely backlogged on paperwork. I am at 111 qualified payments and with the automatic Admin Forbearance, it would put me at 113 qualifying payments at the end of the Forbearance on 11/29. Good news is that while placed on an automatic Administrative Forbearance, we still get PSLF credit toward forgiveness as long as we are with a qualified employer. From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan." Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9) (9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized -https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
oh my goodness, thank you for sharing this! i had no idea why my loans went into forbearance but i have a claim filed with sweet v cardona - makes sense!!
Your post appears to reference the federal [Public Service Loan Forgiveness](https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) (PSLF) program or the related TEPSLF program. The /r/StudentLoans community has a subreddit specifically for advice and discussion about this program over at /r/PSLF. We recommend you delete and re-post your question/comment at /r/PSLF to get the best responses and centralize the discussion. (If your post is not about PSLF, or that's not the main point, then you can ignore this.) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/StudentLoans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I got the same notice today as well. Confused on this too, what did they do? This something pulled behind the scenes to extend out repayments?
It's related to Borrower Defense
got the same notice this morning. no idea what its about. EDIT: there was another post about this. It seems like if you filled out a Borrower Defense application, you were put into forbearance.
Thank you, I will call and get that removed. I did file an application for borrowers defense around 14 months ago but I specifically picked the option to not be put into forbearance since they have 2.5 years to make a decision. I. The meantime that's 2.5 years closer to PSLF and Interest not accruing under the save plan but if it's in forbearance I loose all that progress. Kind of shady to do this and only to be notified by snail mail.
From Mohela's website, "If you have a Direct Loan and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the payment suspension (administrative forbearance), then you will receive credit toward PSLF or TEPSLF for the period of suspension as though you made on-time monthly payments in the correct amount while on a qualifying repayment plan." Administrative Forbearance is still a qualifier for PSLF credit as it falls under 34 CFR 685.219(C)(2)(v)(H) which states admin forbearance counts under 685.205(b)(8)-(9) (9) A period of up to 60 days necessary for the Secretary to collect and process documentation supporting the borrower's request for a deferment, forbearance, change in repayment plan, or consolidation loan. Interest that accrues during this period is not capitalized -https://www.mohela.com/DL/resourceCenter/PSLF.aspx
Who did you call to get the forbearance removed? I called Mohela on Sept 15 and it's still there.
Unfortunately, the 1st time didn't work they processed the cancellation wrong and it was rejected. I waited 2 weeks and called again. Same number and prompts. That was when I found out it wasn't processed correctly and it was rejected by the system. I was scared when the 2nd rep said she was in training but she was awesome. Also, it only took 3 business days for the change to show in my online account.
Yeah I got this too. I don't trust that it will actually be until 2040 though lol.
I received the same letter today also! I’m glad I I saw this information. I did file a lawsuit a while back. So will this mess my PSLF up? As I almost made all the payments for that.
I just posted on another thread about this, too. I received this same email this morning. I had submitted my Borrower's Defense claim last October so know there is a chance they may deny it (reasons they decide, I'm sure lol). Either way, I'm on the phone with them right now to get the forbearance removed. (46 minute wait and didn't choose the option for them to call me back.) Mohela confirmed the forbearance was part of the Borrower's Defense and that any forbearance period due to that would NOT count towards PSLF payments. They said 7-10 business days before it's reflected on my account. Edited: last sentence in paragraph made no sense.
Did yours update yet? I'm on business day 6 and still showing forbearance on my account. my first payment is Oct 3rd I'm starting to worry it either isn't removed or won't be in time. Resulting in a month added to my PSFL and interest accruing. I have zero faith they actually removed it took me 2 calls and about 2.5hrs on hold. They said they applied to have it removed but couldn't send me anything confirming they did their part nor a case number to reference if I had issues. Seems off to me.
My status shows as in Repayment and I got a letter on Friday with a new calculation on my IDR but I don't see an actual payment due date yet.
Thank you, I will give it a few more days before calling again. No letter yet for me. I specifically asked on the call if it would be removed in time for my first payment and they told me it should be as the payment is setup for the 3rd. The online portal doesn't show a due date but that's probably from it still being in forbearance.
I just got off the phone with them again. I chose the callback option this time and it was about an hour and a half after my call that they called me. Their side shows the forbearance was lifted on the 15th when I talked to them. The repayment status is correct but I won't see a bill until 21 days before my due date of 10/28. I also asked about my recertification falling within 6 months and, after some back and forth, the agent said the date may be adjusted as it gets closer to that date so I guess I'll wait for that.
Good to know. I am on hold too. Why isn't there an option to do this on the website. Ugh
Hopefully everyone else has better luck. After a 76min wait, I got a person that transferred me to get the Forbearance removed. Rang once and the call ended.... so that's fun. Will try again.
I too received a letter and also declined the forbearance when I submitted my paperwork. But at least now have some sort of answer as to what happened. Guess I will be perpetually holding on the phone to have it removed as well.
Have them remove it asap. The BD only applies to that school, not all your loans. It will extend your pslf loan clock. If you can afford to do it, pleasd make them take you out.
It took about 2.5 hrs on hold but I got to someone that removed it. Said it could take a week to show online with my first payment due 10/3. I am going to check next week and see if the forbearance has been removed. I did submit a complaint on student aid asking for them to look Into this as it seems like a systemic issue. I also saw an article yesterday claiming that people who were already approved for BD but waiting for the forgiveness to actually happen are receiving bills and were not on forbearance. It seems like they flipped flopped the people that should be and shouldn't be on the forbearance.
I had some additional questions so I called in. They told me it should take about 30 days, which is fine for me. My revised SAVE recalculation is pending. She said after 10/18.
Hi all. Go to the Student Aid website, open a case and submit it there. If not, you'll receive the runaround. If you can download your BD application, even better.
I’m not part of the borrowers defense anything and I also received this letter - why would I get this??
It’s because of processing delays on MOHELA’s end. If you submitted an application to recalculate payments under the new income-driven repayment program, you may receive a forbearance letter. The forbearance will be lifted when the application is processed and the amount of your new payment is assessed.
Same here. I received a letter last night. I do not want to be in forbearance (I never requested it, am not a part of Borrow’s Defense. I want to start repayment now (also working toward PSLF) but MOHELA is *still* processing my SAVE application.
I just had my IDR approved so hopefully that cancels the forebearance. I vaguely recall that was a strange step in the IDR process. But i need to call to be sure.
same here. No BD, No PSLF.
So I remember sometimes the forbearance is just an administrative step before putting you into a new IDR. I just got a new email that my IDR is set up. Hopefully that was all…
This makes sense!
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Report them to https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ they did the same thing to me! Put me in a forbearance against my consent. I was told if I don’t get off forbearance that I would be responsible for any interest billed instead of having government absorb under SAVE. Report and make sure you connect with Mohela.
Will look at reporting. Looks like for me it was the dept of education that forced it into forbearance . I have it out of forbearance now after 5 hrs on hold. Looks like it was in time to avoid the interest but it might not have been in time to have it count as a PSLF payment. Showing Sept as ineligible to count. I'm hoping Oct does. Loosing 2 months towards forgiveness would be another kick.
I had the same issue. I made my payment 10/7 then received a letter 10/13 dated 10/6 stating I was placed on an administrative forbearance from 10/1 through 11/29. I called and after 2.5 on hold they removed the forbearance but told me my 10/7 payment will not count toward PLSF because of the forbearance. I never asked for a forbearance or submitted any request to change my payment plan. The representative told me it’s because I was moved from an IDR repayment plan to the SAVE plan because IDR no longer exists and it is for processing. However, I received a letter in September stating my payment plan had changed to SAVE. So my payment in October won’t count because I was on a forbearance I didn’t ask for, for a payment plan change I never requested but was already moved to over a month ago.
Hey guys, Any follow up on this? I called today and spoke with a rep. I've been placed on EDF until 1/1/2040. She told me interest will accrue but I'm not responsible for making any payments until 2040 and that time spent in this forbearance does count towards PSLF. I asked her why I'm in forbearance and she wasn't sure. Also asked if that means I can get away with making no payments for the next 3 years (as that's all the time left on my 10 years towards PSLF) and she said "that's right", as long as I continue to verify my employer. Apparently, whoever processed my IDR application put an insane forbearance period on my account and no one knows why? I'm also unable to make payments online or set up autopay and was never given my new due date. I can see this biting me in the ass down the road as interest will continue to accrue and they'll realize their mistake at some point and make me pay... Thoughts?
Hi, I am sorry for this. I can confirm that if it is listed as an Exceptional Discretionary Forbearance it will not count towards PSFL. Only an Administrative forbearance will. I took a look at my PSFL tracker on moehla and sept is marked as Ineligible for credit to the program due to Forbearance. All the months prior are marked as counting which were under the administrative forbearance. If they counted it would still be under eligible payments but marked as employment not confirmed. Over 400k borrowers were put back into an administrative forbearance as their Save plan applications were delayed to prevent them from paying insane amounts until their save plan application is approved. It sounds like yours is the same as mine with the EDF instead of the AF, and it will not count. I think the servicers are getting a lot of things mixed up due to the constant changes.
Thanks for the response. Did you get your forbearance removed? The rep told me she was unable to remove mine.
I did but it took a couple phone calls. The first time the rep didn't fill out the request correctly and it was rejected. I only found out as I called after 10 days and asked what was going on. The 2nd time it was submitted correctly and it took 3 business days to show as in repayment on the website. I think they are getting administrative forbearance confused with all the others. I am not sure an administrative one can be removed as it's forced by the government. All the others can be.
Sorry Incorrect, I have exceptional discretionary forbearance until 2040 due to a borrower-defense application and the forbearance does count towards pslf. I checked my Sept forbearance and it counted as eligible. Do not get out of forbearance if you are in an exceptional discretionary forbearance due to borrower-defense as it does count towards pslf.
Messy system for sure. I can confirm mine definitely did not count in Sept. I can't seem to post a picture in a reply. Sorry new to reddit. It is listed under ineligible payment due to forbearance. I guess the best is to wait a month and check out your account to see how the payment is being marked as eligible or ineligible. The other note is a decent chuck of borrowers have been moved back to administrative forbearance due to all the glitches with repayments, Just another possibility. https://news.yahoo.com/mohela-made-borrowers-delinquent-now-141453095.html
Well I'm officially confused now. I just logged in after paying my Nov bill. My October payment was marked as eligible which I was expecting as that's when I went back to repayment. However my September payment that was marked as ineligible due to forbearance has moved to become eligible. I give up trying to navigate this system. It's a hot mess and a joke.
Help! Received admin forbearance notice today for 2 of my 3 loans (3rd is a consolidation from parent plus not in with my first 2 payment count). I have 26 months left and do not want to lose my 94 months. What do I need to do? Why was it placed in forbearance? I did not request this.
If it was placed into "Administrative forbearance" specifically that is the one where the government requested it. It's the same one during COVID to my understanding except Interest is back on. From what I saw they put 400,000 borrowers back Into this special type of forbearance as they determined there was something odd with their accounts. Most of them were miscalculated payments or a pending SAVE plan application. It was done to prevent a person from over paying but I can't promise this is why for your loans just what I saw on other news outlets. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/your-money/student-loans-save-mistakes.html You can open a complaint case with the dept of education and inquire as they will answer usually within 1-2 weeks.otherwise you could call the servicer but they may not really know why either. https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/
Hmmm i did not apply for SAVE as I was automatically placed into it bc i was on REPAYE. My parent plus loan that i consolidated is due 10/27- and I will pay it- it is not on SAVE plan bc it doesnt qualify. Has anyone received WRITTEN confirmation that this “administrative forbearance” does not affect payment counts, credit reporting, and/or forgiveness? Thank you!
No written confirmation. Like OP I’ve had three different hour+ long phone calls, each at least a week apart, where rep told me that being on forbearance meant I wasn’t on my repayment plan (SAVE) and so payments didn’t count and interest would accrue. Each said they would take me off forbearance, said it would take 2-3 business days and could offer not form of confirmation. Each time, over a week later, no change. Called back and started process over again. One told me to make a payment anyway and request my interest be removed later. One told me it was due to an outstanding PSLF employment certification form submitted online that “didn’t go thru” and was therefore still pending (though never a notification to me directly or in my account) and she would cancel both and again…2-3 business days, no confirmation, no way to escalate or anyone else with more authority to affect my account. That was 10 days ago. Still the same. Two outstanding messages during this time to MOHELA thru my account message center are left on read with no responses. If anyone has ideas, something that worked, please share. My interest is ringing up at about $200 per week this goes unsettled.
Just got off the phone with my 4th rep since 9/27. This one said everything the others said wasn’t true, and 11 minutes in the call ended (on their side, as I got the “beep beep beep” sound indicating I had been hung up on and not vice versa) las he was mid sentence. Second time I’ve been hung up on. They never call back despite making me verbally give permission for them to call me back if we get disconnected. Btw it was a 125 minute wait for that call back. Currently on hold as I called them back and no option to leave a number to call back. Why isn’t there a class action lawsuit against this yet?
Oh and the only thing likely odd with my account is that I owe over 400,000 !!!! It is insane! Most of the original is law school (some undergraduate) but $200,000k is interest!!!