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Student Loan Resources
🛈 There is a pause in processing of discharges for Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) as the U.S. Department of Education updates and streamlines their systems for a better user experience. You can continue to submit your TPD forms during the pause but some borrower discharges may not be finalized until the update is complete in spring 2025.
If you submit a form after January 24, 2025 but before processing resumes, your account won't automatically be placed in a forbearance. We recommend you call your servicer to request a forbearance until processing is complete.
A federal court issued an injunction preventing the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and parts of other Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. As a result, the IDR and online loan consolidation applications are temporarily unavailable. Borrowers can still submit paper loan consolidation applications. Information on ways to receive credit towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) during this time can be found by visiting https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-court-actions (Trusted Partner Link)
Loan servicers should be delaying annual IDR recertification deadlines to account for the current IDR processing pause.
Are you having issues with your student loan servicer? The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection is here to help. Maine's Student Loan Ombuds can help borrowers resolve disputes with their loan servicer and make sure they are in compliance with the law. All student loan servicers in Maine must obtain a license from the Bureau. Check a license at NMLSConsumeraccess.org (Trusted Partner Link)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Maine Student Loan Bill of Rights
- Student Loan Resource Materials and Links
- Tips to Avoid Scams
- File a Complaint
- How to Open a Student Loan Case with Congress
Are you a resident of a state other than Maine and need help with your student loans? CLICK HERE (Trusted Partner Link) to find out if your state has a student loan ombudsman.
Through July 1, 2025, Parent PLUS borrowers can access all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans — including the new SAVE plan — through double consolidation. Double consolidation is when a borrower consolidates their Parent PLUS loans twice in order to create a new Direct Loan that is eligible for all available IDR plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). CLICK HERE for more information.
Student Loan News
- 3/27/2025: U.S. Department of Education Opens Revised Income-Driven Repayment Plan and Loan Consolidation Applications for Borrowers
- 1/13/2025: U.S. Department of Education Approves Group Discharge for 73,600 Borrowers Who Attended a Center for Excellence in Higher Education School and Will Receive Over $1.15 Billion in Student Loan Discharges
- 12/23/2024: U.S. Department of Education Announces Borrowers Can Now Apply for Additional Income-Driven Repayment Plans
- 11/18/2024: U.S. Department of Education Releases Interim Final Rule on ICR/PAYE
- 10/29/2024: Update on SAVE Program