The Student Loan Debt Relief Application is now live and scammers are using it as a way to get your money and information. Be sure to follow the process and be patient. Anyone who says they can put you in front of the line or speed up the process is a scammer.
Pay attention to the following:
- Apply at StudentAid.gov/DebtRelief. Nowhere else. Right now, the application is online only and in English and Spanish. A paper application will be available later.
- Don’t pay to apply. It’s FREE. Anyone who says you need to pay or who guarantees approval or quicker forgiveness is a scammer!
- Know what to share, where, and when. The actual application will ask for your name, birth date, Social Security number, phone number, and address – that’s it. Applying online means you will not have to upload or attach any documents.
- Know what NOT to share. No legitimate person will ask for your Federal Student Aid ID, bank account, or credit card information when you apply. Please stay tuned for more info when the Education Department starts processing applications. Some applicants will have to verify their income, but not yet.
- Expect email updates from the ED. After you apply, you may hear from them to upload tax documents verifying your income or to give updates on your application. Those emails will only come from noreply@studentaid.gov, noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov, or ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com. Pay close attention to the sender's address for emails about loan forgiveness and look for slight typos to avoid a scammer’s fake or spoofed emails.
- Follow the ED’s process if your application is denied. Anyone who says they can get you approved (for a fee) is a scammer. Your email notice will have instructions. Follow those instructions, and if you have questions, call FSA’s dedicated phone line at (833) 932-3439. Expect long wait times.
If you spot or hear of a scam, please report it at: ReportFraud.ftc.gov