Figuring out who has your student loans can be a major headache and challenge. Over the life of a student loan, it’s not uncommon for it to be transferred several times between servicers. By the time you’re actually ready to pay 4 or 5 years after taking out your first student loan, you may not even know where your student loan is located.
And this can be a major problem! For federal student loans, you have a 6-month deferment period before you’re required to start making payments. If you’re not contacted by your student loan servicer, they most likely don’t have your new address. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to charge you interest and fees for student loans you’re not paying. That’s going to kill your credit score (and you should care)!
As a result, you need to make an effort to track down your student loans after you graduate!
If you’re not quite sure where to start or what to do, consider hiring a CFA to help you with your student loans. We recommend The Student Loan Planner to help you put together a solid financial plan for your student loan debt. Check out The Student Loan Planner here.
Start Here: The National Student Loan Database
The first thing that you need to do after you graduate is head over to the National Student Loan Database. This is a great resource that is maintained by the US Department of Education that tracks who services your student loans and the balance of your loans. Given how much can change with your student loans while you’re in school, this can be really helpful to track everything down.
To access your information, you simply need to provide your name, Social Security number, birthday, and a pin number. It will then show a list of your student loan debt that has been registered with the Department of Education (which includes all federal student loans and some private student loans).
Once you know who your student loan servicer is, you need to contact them, especially if you are nearing the end of your deferment period and haven’t received a statement or any other information.
Contact Your Student Loan Servicer
Here is the name, address, and contact info for the Federally approved student loan servicers. If you’re loan is at one of these companies, this is the information you need. Also, read our reviews on the ones that we’ve encountered here at The College Investor.
If you’re looking for a student loan debt collector, check out this list: The Complete List Of Student Loan Debt Collectors
Ascendium
Phone number: (800) 236-2700
Hours of operation: 7-6 Mon-Thurs and 7-4:30 on Fri (CST)
General mailing address:
Ascendium Education Group
2501 International Lane
Madison, WI 53704
Email/online contact form: RS@ascendiumeducation.org
Read more about Ascendium Student Loans here.
Aspire Resources Inc.
Phone number: (800) 243-7552
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST Mon– Fri
General mailing address:
Aspire Servicing Center
P.O. Box 659705
West Des Moines, IA 50265-0970
Address for sending payments:
Aspire Servicing Center
P.O. Box 659701
West Des Moines, IA 50265-0970
Email/online contact form: Contact form
Read more about Aspire Loan Servicing here.
CornerStone
Phone number: (800) 663-1662 or (844) 255-8326 for servicemembers
Hours of operation: 6-7 Mon-Thurs and 6-5 on Fri (MT)
General mailing address:
CornerStone Education Loan Services
P.O. Box 145122
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5122
Address for sending payments:
U.S. Department of Education
CornerStone
PO Box 979133
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
Email/online contact form:
General email address: customerservice@mycornerstoneloan.org
Email address for servicemembers: Servicemembers@mycornerstoneloan.org
Read about some of the problems people have had with CornerStone Student Loan Servicing.
ESA/EdFinancial
Phone number: (800) 337-6884
Hours of operation: 8-8:30 p.m. Mon-Thu and 8-6 on Fri. (EST)
General mailing address:
Direct Loans:
Edfinancial Services
P.O. Box 36008
Knoxville, TN 37930-6008
FFelp or Private Loans:
Edfinancial Services
P.O.Box 36014
Knoxville, TN 37930-6014
Address for sending payments:
Direct Loans:
US Department of Education
P.O.Box 4830
Portland, OR 97208-4830
FFelp or Private Loans:
Edfinancial Services
Department 888055
Knoxville, TN 37995-8055
Email/online contact form: Contact form
If you’re curious, make sure you read about the Problems With ESA or EdFinancial Loan Servicing.
FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)
Phone number: (800) 699-2908
Hours of operation: 8-9. Mon-Fri (EST)
General mailing address:
FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 69184
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9184
Address for sending payments:
Department of Education
FedLoan Servicing
P.O. Box 790234
St. Louis, MO 63179-0234
Email/online contact form: Must sign in to your account before you can send an email to customer service.
Don’t forget to read my battle with FedLoan Servicing and why I think it’s the worst student loan servicing company.
Granite State (GSMR)
Phone number: (888) 556-0022
Hours of operation: 8-6. Mon-Fri (EST)
General mailing address:
Account numbers beginning with F8:
Granite State Management & Resources
P.O. Box 3420
Concord, NH 03302-3420
*Do not mail payments to this address.
Account numbers beginning with C7:
Granite State Management & Resources
P.O. Box 2097
Concord, NH 03302-2097
Address for sending payments:
Account numbers beginning with F8:
Department of Education
P.O. Box 4414
Portland, OR 97208-4414
Account numbers beginning with with C7:
Granite State Management & Resources
P.O. Box 9560
Manchester, NH 03108-9560
Email/online contact form: Online contact available through Facebook or Twitter only.
Check out this article about Problems With Granite State (GSMR) Student Loan Servicing
Great Lakes Educational Loan Services Inc.
Phone number: (800) 236-4300
Hours of operation: 7-9. Mon-Fri (CST)
General mailing address:
Great Lakes
PO Box 7860
Madison, WI 53707-7860
Email/online contact form: Contact form
Make sure you read this article: Problems with Great Lakes Loan Servicing
MOHELA
Phone number: (888) 866-4352
Hours of operation: 7– 9 Mon–Thu and 7–5 on Fri (CST)
General mailing address:
MOHELA
633 Spirit Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63005-1243
Email/online contact form: Contact form provided after you enter your state on this page.
Don’t forget to read this article about Problems With MOHELA Loan Servicing
Navient
Phone number: (800) 722-1300
Hours of operation: 8-9. Mon-Thurs and 8-8 on Fri (ET)
General mailing address:
Navient – U.S. Department of Education Loan Servicing
P.O. Box 9635
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-9635
Address for sending payments:
Navient – U.S. Department of Education Loan Servicing
P.O. Box 4450
Portland, OR 97208-4450
Email/online contact form: Must sign in to your account before you can send an email to customer service.
If you’ve seen the news, you’ll find this article interesting: How To Deal With Navient Lawsuits And Loan Servicing Problems
Nelnet
Phone number: (888) 486-4722
Hours of operation: 8-10. Mon-Fri (EST)
General mailing address:
Nelnet
P.O. Box 82561
Lincoln, NE 68501-2561
California residents:
Nelnet
P.O. Box 82578
Lincoln, NE 68501-2578
Address for sending payments:
For accounts beginning with “E”:
U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 2837
Portland, OR 97208-2837
For accounts beginning with “D”:
Nelnet
P.O. Box 2970
Omaha, NE 68103-2970
For accounts beginning with “J”:
Nelnet
P.O. Box 2877
Omaha, NE 68103-2877
Email/online contact form: Contact form
Make sure that you check out NelNet Student Loan Servicing Problems.
OSLA Servicing
Phone number: (866) 264-9762
Hours of operation: 8-5. Mon-Fri (CT)
General mailing address:
OSLA
P.O. Box 18475
Oklahoma City, OK 73154-0475
Address for sending payments:
US Department of Education – OSLA
P.O. Box 4278
Portland, OR 97208-4278
Email/online contact form: DLcustserv@osla.org
If you’re having problems with OSLA Loan Servicing, read this.
Sallie Mae
Phone number: 800-472-5543
Hours of operation: 9-6. Mon-Fri (ET)
General mailing address:
Sallie Mae
P.O. Box 3319
Wilmington DE 19804-4319
Address for sending payments:
Sallie Mae
P.O. Box 8459
Philadelphia PA 19101-8459
Email/online contact form: N/A
Read about Sallie Mae Student Loans here.
VSAC Federal Loans
Phone number: 800-642-3177
Hours of operation: 8-4:30 p.m Mon-Fri (ET)
General mailing address:
VSAC
PO Box 999
Winooski, VT 05404
Address for sending payments:
VSAC
PO Box 7501
Bennington, VT 05201-7501
Email/online contact form: info@vsac.org
Read about some of the most common VSAC student loan servicing problems.
How To Complain About Your Federal Loan Servicer
If your federal loan servicer’s customer service department mishandles your payments or refuses to fix a problem in a timely manner, you have the right to file a complaint with various state and federal agencies.
First, you can share your problems with the Department of Education via the Federal Student Aid Feedback system. And if you need additional assistance, you can contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), your state’s consumer protection office, or your state attorney general’s office.
Robert Farrington is America’s Millennial Money Expert® and America’s Student Loan Debt Expert™, and the founder of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to helping millennials escape student loan debt to start investing and building wealth for the future. You can learn more about him here and here.
He regularly writes about investing, student loan debt, and general personal finance topics geared towards anyone wanting to earn more, get out of debt, and start building wealth for the future.
He has been quoted in major publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox, ABC, NBC, and more. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.
Daniela Tapia says
Wow in not in college, but I do have a sister who is who I bet this information is important for her. I never thought about our student loan, how important it is where our student loan is located. Good tips and thanks for the heads up…
Tina says
I have a FFELP loan services by Navient. The Guarantor is Ascendium Education Solutions.Is this a Federal loan or private loan?
Thanks
Robert Farrington says
It’s a federal student loan. However, it may not be owned by the Department of Education, as such, you may not get an interest waiver.
Liz says
Hi Robert-
This is super helpful.
I have a Stafford Loan owned by American Education Services, transferred from Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education in April. ACPE was using CARES language, and said that my loan was eligible for interest and payment suspension until September. However, AES has given me a bill, with the option of COVID-related forbearance for 90 days, which is of course very different. The federal student loan website is down (I have not been able to log in for days), and I cannot get a human on the phone from AES. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Robert Farrington says
Yes, your loan is an FFEL loan (owned by ACPE, not the Federal government), not a Direct Loan. As such, it doesn’t qualify for the CARES act help. See this guide: CARES Act Student Loan Assistance.
Yoli Flores says
I will make sure to share this information with my twins.
shoesan says
Student loans are so overwhelming. I dread doing that FASFA form every year. They need to carry the info over from year to year and just let you update it!! UGH
Sandra Williams says
is fedloanhelp.org a legitimate student loan servicing company? is it a scam. It was not in your list. I can’t seem to find any complete information on this company. They claim they don’t ask for any money.
Robert Farrington says
No FedloanHelp is NOT a Federal Loan Servicing company. You shouldn’t work with them, but you should instead call your lender.
D says
Is Navloan a legit Federal Loan Servicing company? I do NOT see them on this list. Please let US know asap! They say its an processing fee.
Robert Farrington says
No, they are not a Dept of Education loan servicing company. You never have to pay a fee for any service relating to your Federal student loans.
If you’re concerned about a legit website, you can always access your student loan information at StudentLoans.gov.
Susan says
Is Student Loan Assistance Foundation a legitimate educational loan company? My husband filled out paperwork already for his daughter’s loan but I’m suspicious.
Robert Farrington says
If you mean is it a legit Federal loan servicer? The answer is no.
This company sounds like a document preparation assistance company. They basically charge you a fee to fill out paperwork for your student loans. Read about why we don’t think consumers should use these companies here: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Liliana says
Is Debt Pay Gateway a legitimate loan company? they asked me for a fee to fill out my IDR.
Robert Farrington says
We’ve never heard of them and can’t tell you if they are legitimate or not. We can say, in general, you don’t need to pay for any help with your student loans. You can do it for free at StudentLoans.gov. If you want help, you can always pay, but there are free options that are relatively easy to do.
Read this article, you might find it helpful: Is My Student Assistance Company A Scam?
Jennifer says
Does Accel Service Center work with DOE, or just charge people to fill out paperwork? Also, why do they ask for such personal ID information, that has never been asked before?
Robert Farrington says
No, they are not a Federal loan servicer and they have no relationship with the Department of Education. You might find this article valuable: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Cheryl says
Does the Student Loan Center (800-935-2916) with John Comer a legitimate student loan consolidation program?
Robert Farrington says
They are not a Federal loan servicer and have no relationship to the Department of Education. You might find this article informative: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Cheryl says
Thank you!
Suzanne Bowers says
Help me get out of dealing big with Fedloanhelp.org. They take money out to of my account every month. I need help!
Robert Farrington says
Hi Suzanne, that company is not a Federal Loan Servicer. You are paying them for a service. You might find this article helpful: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Sai says
I’m having trouble proving a payment history for a loan repayment application from back in 2012 – NSLDS lists Dept of ed PHEAA and most recently I was dealing with fedloan, but talking to fedloan now they say I consolidated with “direct loan servicing” that “no longer exists” and there is no way to find that payment history (from 2012) since they didn’t take over the loan till 2013. Was there a company or govt agency by that name in 2012 that truely no longer exists? 10 plus calls to fedloan and speaking to supervisors and they still say they can’t help.
Robert Farrington says
Check your credit report – annualcreditreport.com and see where your loan is at.
Jessica says
Hi,
Cornerstone education Loan services sent me a letter saying that Department of Education has selected them to service my loans. I read some reviews online about Cornerstone and people have said that they were horrible and very unprofessional with students. Is there a way I can change my loans provider to someone else?
Robert Farrington says
No, you loan is assigned by the Department of Education.
Mark Casci says
Can you provide me with contact information for Foremost student loans?
Robert Farrington says
Never heard of this company and they are not a Federal student loan servicer.
Cristal Colin says
Is fedloanservicing a scam?
Robert Farrington says
Fedloan Servicing is a student loan servicer – however, many companies play off the name in an attempt to confuse or mislead people. Be aware.
Cruz says
Is MyFedLoan.org legit
Robert Farrington says
That is the official website of Fedloan Servicing, which is a student loan servicer.
Craig needens says
Is Unified Document services out of Orange county a legitimate student consolidation loan company
Robert Farrington says
The list in the article are the only Federal loan servicers. It sounds like you’re thinking about using a third-party private company to help you?
You should realize that student loan consolidation is a free service offered by the government. You can do it online at StudentLoans.gov or by calling your lender. Learn more here: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/14356/stop-paying-student-loan-consolidation/
Also, if you choose to work with a third-party company, read this first: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Allie says
Which of them do you think is the better option? I’m currently looking to consolidate but hesistate to stay with Fedloan. However it seems like there’s no good option.
Robert Farrington says
It doesn’t matter at all. They all have specific jobs assigned to them by the Department of Education, but they are all big firms. Even at a 99.99% accuracy rate, issues happen. What really matters is at the end of the day you follow up and do your due diligence on your loans.
Don says
Am trying to consolidate my parent plus loans into 1 loan. I work for a gov’t public service agency and my employer already signed my loan forgiveness certificate. I currently had my loans with Nelnet. Do I have a choice in marketing for other authorized loan servicers on your list to get a better/lower interest/loan terms? Which one will you recommend for me?
Robert Farrington says
Parent PLUS Loans are complex when it comes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness. You have to re-consolidate, then make 10 years of payments under ICR to potentially qualify.
As for your loan servicer choice, you don’t get a choice. Your loans will be transferred to FedLoan since you are opting for PSLF.
You might find this article helpful: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/17101/options-if-you-cant-afford-your-parent-plus-loans/
Eana Sanders says
Is premier student loan center legit?
Robert Farrington says
They are not a Federal loan servicing company. They are a third-party company. If you want to do business with any third party company that’s not your lender, make sure you read this first: https://www.thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Hilary Stanco says
I know this conversation is mostly about federal loans, but…
Do you know if it’s possible to change your student loan service provider for private loans? Do different service providers offer different interest rates or are they the same across the board? Do I have the right to choose one other than the one I’m assigned?
Robert Farrington says
You can refinance your student loans at a different lender, which would then change who owns your loans.
Different private lenders offer all sorts of rates, options, perks, etc. Check out this list: Best Places To Refinance Student Loans.
Kim says
My school loan is in default
The NYSDE has turned my loan over to Conserve a collection agency that on top of what I owe will charge me $5000! Im struggling now and the collection fee puts into further debt which i find unfair. My ignorance and desperation led me to sign less than a week ago a contract with the student loan center who promises me that they’ll take care of the consolidation process after I’ve made three payments to them totaling $498.00. I wanted to avoid the collection agency’s fee and they are threatening me with garnishment of salary and treasury offset. I want to (as I told the assigned collection. Agency) enter into an income driven program as offered by the collection agency and the loan center to which both agreed I could do. I’m sceptical that they can do anything before I’ve paid them and if it’s for naught as dept of Ed referred me to the collection agency. Please advise. Should I cancel that contract before payment or go back to collection agency. Would Dept of Ed allow ME to set up consolidated loans with them at this point without an intermediary? It looks to me that I worsened this situation. Thank you for your attention. To this matter. It might help someone else as well as myself
Robert Farrington says
You never need to pay a third party for help with your loans – that’s optional. You can do it all yourself by working with your lender and the collection agency.
You want to start a process called student loan rehabilitation. That will get you back on track – but it’s still going to cost you more than it would have if you hadn’t defaulted in the first place.
There’s no going back, but you can fix things going forward.
Stacy says
I am consolidating and can choose my new servicer (at least temporarily). Who has the fastest turn-around time for consolidating? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Thanks!
Robert Farrington says
They are all similar in turn around time. If you’re going for PSLF, choose FedLoan. It will save you changes later.
Kevin says
Is SL Account Management a legit student loan company??
Robert Farrington says
Are they a Federal loan servicing company? No.
They appear to be a third party company that provides assistance with your student loans. Read this before working with any third party company: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/16429/is-your-student-loan-repayment-company-a-scam/
Debra L Stone says
I am suddenly being contacted from Action Financial Services about loans that I’ve never received a bill for. It’s been 7 years since I stopped any classes. I haven’t received any invoices or mail regarding payment of any loans other than what I’m currently paying for. I have loans from Navient that I’m paying and private loans that I’m paying. This company is coming to me out of nowhere saying I owe over $90,000. They sent me loan documents with no dollar amount and only a typed name as my signature. I don’t know where to turn to.
Robert Farrington says
You can find out about your loans and who owns them here: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/19370/how-to-find-out-who-owns-your-student-loans/
Roberta says
Is western benefits group legit? I received a letter that appeared to be sent from the IRS and supposed to be having our taxes offset. Who is this company?
Robert Farrington says
If you’re in default, you can have your taxes offset. Read this: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/20755/stopping-tax-offsets-due-student-loan-debt/
Arisse says
I am in the process of consolidating my federal students loans. After making consistent payments for over 3 years, I learned FFEL loans are not eligible for PSLF and that only through loan consolidating will my payments become eligible for PSLF. Navient is my current loan servicer but i’ve read terrible reviews about them and find they do not keep me up to date on options for income driven programs and possible loan forgiveness options. For these reasons, I am looking into switching to a new servicer before I sign the consolidation papers. Does anyone have any recommendations for other legitimate servicers? I believe you may have stated in a comment that if pursuing PSLF, FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA) may be a good option? Any assistance in this would be helpful!
Robert Farrington says
If you’re pursuing PSLF, Fedloan is your only option. As soon as you submit your first employment certifications, you loans will automatically be transferred to Fedloan regardless of your loan servicer. They are the only loan servicer that handles PSLF.
Alice says
Is Coastal Shores a legit company
Robert Farrington says
Coast is a Department of Education debt collector, not a loan servicer.
Dee says
I am filling out an online application to refinance my student loans. It is with INvested.org. I don’t see them on your list. Are they a legitimate loan service provider??
Robert Farrington says
InvestED is a student loan refinancing company – you are applying to get a new private student loan to replace your existing loans. Read our review here: InvestED review.
Wilhelmina Street says
I received a letter telling me that “FedLoan Servicing received my recent payment(s) however, we are no longer the federal servicer of your loans. Your loan(s) are now serviced by DMCS (DRG). For your convenience, this payment has been forwarded to your new servicer. The address they gave to send payments is:
DMCS (DRG)
P. O. 105028
Atlanta, GA 30348-5540
1-800-621-3115
Question: Is DMCS (DRG) a valid loan servicer for student loans?
Robert Farrington says
This is a valid student loan debt collector – your loan is being transferred because you’re in default. Here’s a list: Student loan debt collectors.
More importantly, you need to get out of student loan default: Get Out Of Student Loan Default.
Wil Street says
Thank you. ☺ I spoke with DMCS. Paperwork is on the way. Your services are valuable. You are appreciated. Have a great day.
Grace says
My student loan(s) were consolidated almost 20 yrs ago. Then they were transferred to various companies/servicers. Navient was involved at one point, then I believe it went to a servicer named Reliant or something.
Whichever the last company was, I contacted them in writing with return receipt, requesting details on the loans they were referencing. I did this because over the years, it seems like none of the payments I made had been/were being applied or credited to the loan accounts.
In my letter, I requested the following information:
1. A statement/list of all payments received on the accounts referenced;
2. A copy of the original loan documentation;
3. A copy of all written communications from any servicer(s) to me, regarding the loans; and
4. A copy of the loan balances at the time of transfer to the current servicer.
I received a non-responsive letter from someone fairly high-up (sorry, don’t have the file with me) in the organization. It provided absolutely nothing I had requested.
I had no other communication from any servicer/entity regarding any loans or amounts until yesterday, when I received a letter from Premiere, advising me that loans were in default. The loans were not identified by number. It took me awhile to even locate a reference number.
Shouldn’t a loan servicer/entity be able (or maybe even required) to provide details about payments etc.?
Thanks so much,
Grace
Robert Farrington says
Premiere is an authorized student loan debt collection agency. You want to send that same validation letter to them – they are the ones that hold your debt now, no other company.
See this: Student Loan Debt Collection Agencies.