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Are You Eligible for Closed School Loan Discharge?

Has your school shut its doors? Or have you received the dreaded news that your for-profit college is shutting down? If you took out student loans to attend a school that’s now closed or in the process of being closed, you may have a lot of questions about closed school discharge.

There are colleges out there that have closed their doors for good. It can be a jarring experience to have your school close and you’re left wondering what will happen. One big question you may have is: “Do I have to pay my student loans if my school closed?”

I know this answer is frustrating, but it depends.

Read on to learn more about what to do with your student loans after your school's closure.

Who is eligible for Closed School Loan Discharge?

Let’s start with some good news. It is possible to get your federal student loans 100% discharged, under certain circumstances. So if you’re wondering if you have to pay your student loans if your school closed, the answer is (hopefully) no. But you'll need to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you have a Direct Loan, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) or Federal Perkins Loans, you may be eligible for closed school loan discharge if you:

  • Were a student and enrolled in college at the time the school closed
  • Were on a leave of absence that was approved by your school at the time the school closed
  • Withdrew from school and your school closed within 120 days if your loans were first disbursed before July 1, 2020.
  • Withdrew from school and your school closed within 180 days of that period if your loans were first disbursed on or after July 1, 2020.

If you meet one of these criteria, you may be eligible for 100% student loan discharge.

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Who is not eligible for Closed School Loan Discharge?

On the other hand, you are disqualified from getting your student loans discharged if the school you attended closed and:

  • You withdrew from school within a period that exceeds 120 days, except in rare cases
  • You are enrolled and part of another educational program
  • All of your coursework for your program is done — this is still true even if you have not yet obtained your diploma or certificate
  • You completed a comparable program through a teach-out, by transferring academic credits to a new school or other other comparable means.

“Teach-outs” allow you to complete remaining coursework toward your original program and earn your diploma through another school. In this case, you’d still be on the hook for student loans as you’re still able to complete your education and obtain a degree. On the other hand, if you say no to a “teach-out” offer, it’s likely you'll not have to pay back your federal student loans.

Note that you'll only be able to receive loan discharge for programs that you weren't able to complete because of your school shutting down. If you were enrolled in a different program that you could have completed, you will qualify for a loan discharge for the funds you took out for that program.

It’s important to note that this information is regarding federal student loans only. If you have private student loans, you'll need to contact the lender to see about their policy and procedures.

Applying for student loan discharge

If your school closed and you have federal student loans, they will not be automatically dismissed. You must apply to get your loans discharged.

First, fill out the Closed School Loan Discharge Application and send it to your student loan servicer. Secondly, ask your loan servicer about the application process for getting your student loans discharged. There is not a set deadline for the application. But you’d want to submit it as soon as you can.

If you are currently making payments, be sure to continue doing so until you are approved or denied for the discharge. Once approved for student loan discharge, you’ll be off the hook for any repayment going forward.

If your application for student loan discharge is denied, you legally still have to make payments per your promissory note. If you are denied and think there has been a mistake, get in touch with your loan servicer and explain your reasoning.

Regarding what to do next with your schooling, you can take a look at the Department of Education's Closed Schools list to see if your school is on there and to get contact info for your state's educational service agency.

What is “Automatic School School Discharge?”

If you met the eligibility requirements above and have not enrolled in a comparable educational program within three years of your school closing, you may receive your closed school loan discharge automatically.

To qualify for an automatic closed school discharge, you must have attended a school that closed after Nov. 1, 2013 and before July 1, 2020. If you're eligible for an automatic discharge, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will notify your loan servicer which should then, in turn, notify you.

Are there other student loan forgiveness programs?

Yes! Even if you don't meet the closed school loan discharge requirements, you may qualify for other federal forgiveness programs.

One of the most attractive programs is Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you work for a qualifying employer, you could receive tax-free forgiveness on your entire remaining balance in as little as ten years (120 qualifying monthly payments).

Other federal forgiveness and discharge options include:

Also, remember that federal student loan borrowers can apply for federal forbearance and deferment periods. Note that while general forbearances are available for Direct Loans, Federal Family Education (FFEL) Program loans and Perkins Loans, the COVID-19 0% interest period is only available to Direct Loan borrowers.

Stay informed about your closed school discharge options

If you have attended a school which shut its doors and are wondering what to do next, don’t fret just yet.

In many cases, your federal student loans may be eligible for student loan discharge. The key is to fill out the student loan discharge form. Then talk to your loan servicer about the application process.

It might make sense to transfer to another program and forgo closed school loan discharge. For example, if you have $200,000 of student loans from attending Argosy University's psychology doctoral program, you might be confident you'll earn $80,000 with a PsyD. Without one, you think you'll earn $50,000.

In that case, a payment of 10% of your discretionary income at $80,000 could be the better financial deal over paying nothing but only earning $50,000.

You must analyze closed school student loan discharge on a case by case basis. Feel free to reach out to us or share your experience in the comments below.

Did your college close? What are some of your tips for other borrowers going through the same thing?

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Comments

  1. Nicole February 2, 2019 at 5:24 AM
    Reply

    I wanted to know if I qualify. I left the college and was supposed to be back. Everyone knew and was okay with it. I recently am coming back and I’m notified that the massage therapy program of my school Brandford Hall is closed. I still have 10,000 to pay for a license/internship/job/experience I did not receive. I’m confused as to what I could do.

    • Travis Hornsby February 2, 2019 at 3:45 PM
      Reply

      Your first step is to apply with your loan servicer and continue making payments because you don’t have anything to lose in applying.

  2. Andrew February 17, 2019 at 9:20 PM
    Reply

    If my school loses accreditation and I’ve completed all the classes, but not the internship required for graduation, will I be eligible for Closed School Loan Discharge if I withdraw before they close?

    • Travis Hornsby February 18, 2019 at 2:04 PM
      Reply

      The closed school discharge mainly has to do with if the Dept of Ed decides the school was defrauding people. I’m not so sure a loss of accreditation will do it for you.

    • Frederic Joe Liles December 31, 2019 at 1:42 AM
      Reply

      I was attending a automotive school in az,I’m from California. They were not able to certify me for Smog due to the fact there program didn’t cover the clean air act .needed to receive a license in California. They shut the doors and told me the tuition recovery fund would cover the loans but took the money and ran .American tec center Phoenix Az.

      • Travis at Student Loan Planner January 6, 2020 at 3:02 PM
        Reply

        Grrr. Try hiring an attorney. Jay Fleischman handles cases in Cali: jay@moneywiselaw.com

      • Johanna September 1, 2020 at 1:30 PM
        Reply

        I was attending to Phoenix school in California about 10 yrs ago
        I was not able to passed a class and my English was not the best, is my second language and when I was going back to reap the class they told that for me to be able to keep going was to pay $1500 and I was not working then I was never able to go back unless I come on with the $1500 now I old them $2000 to the government and the school I’m now disable and I’m 51yrs
        I don’t have the money to pay.
        What or how can I take care of this problem.

  3. Domniono Robertson March 1, 2019 at 11:10 PM
    Reply

    I got a letter from the school I attended Sandford Brown in 06-07 I didn’t finish but I started paying back loans in 2010 I’m in default and working on a payment plan, however I got a letter in the mail advising me that due to a recent settlement with the state attorney’s general, including the Tx attorney general beginning Feb 1 2019 we are foregoing collection on any outstanding balance including interest and fees you owe to Sanford brown such balance will be reduced to 0. This action is limited to the amounts you owe to Sanford brown college and does not remove, replace or cancel any payment responsibilities that you have regarding any federal student loans or any loans owed to other institutions or 3rd parties that are outstanding. My question is does this mean that I don’t have to pay back the student loans since they are collecting on there behalf?

    • Travis Hornsby March 2, 2019 at 11:04 AM
      Reply

      Certainly sounds like it! I would highly suggest reaching out to a student loan attorney like jay@moneywiselaw.com. Ask him for a connection to a competent attorney located in Texas. I would want to verify that the debt is cancelled and an attorney licensed in your state should be able to confirm that.

    • Ashley April 2, 2019 at 4:03 PM
      Reply

      @Domniono Robertson if you have any information that you could share with me that would be wonderful. I also attended Sanford-Brown College and have a $27K student loan with a bogus degree. Thanks in advice!

  4. Ashley April 2, 2019 at 4:00 PM
    Reply

    I attended Sanford Brown College in 2003 and graduated. Because of the misleading, deceiving, and non-accreditation I have been stuck putting my loan in forbearance all this time because I simply can not afford to pay on my student loan. My loans (now with Navient) are at $27k.
    I have not received any letters that my loans will be forgiven because of settlement. Is the settlement only for private student loans or federal? I believe that my student loan is federal but I am not for sure.
    Any advice on this would help or what can be done to have my loans removed?
    This has been a burden on myself for so many years financially and emotionally.

    • Travis Hornsby April 2, 2019 at 6:48 PM
      Reply

      I’d suggest applying for borrower defense to repayment and see what happens. https://borrowerdischarge.ed.gov/s/?language=en_US That’s the online application. These forgiveness rulings are being held up by the Dept of Ed right now, but you should go ahead and try to get the loans discharged

    • Rachel Lee Dykes August 28, 2019 at 2:52 PM
      Reply

      I went to long technical college in Phoenix Arizona and I was supposed to get refresher courses for life. I now have a medical assistant diploma that has become worthless to me and I still owe 6k on it. I graduated over 10 years ago and was out of work for 4 years. So I have any recourse?

      • Travis Hornsby September 1, 2019 at 10:04 AM
        Reply

        Probably not Rachel if it was me I’d just try to eliminate it so I could move on. If it was 60k I might have a different answer. If you wanted a second opinion consider hiring a student loan lawyer.

  5. Jennifer April 11, 2019 at 7:52 AM
    Reply

    Does getting a closed school loan discharge prevent you from getting aid in the future?

    • Travis Hornsby April 11, 2019 at 8:02 AM
      Reply

      I don’t believe so but I’d definitely check on that

      • Verline Webb July 9, 2019 at 6:51 AM
        Reply

        Do you have any information about any other loans? I took out a loan at Mr J’s hair Academy In 1989 in the amount of 5,000 dollars. Now they are saying that I owe 39,000. How is that possible. When the cost of the class only cost 5,000 dollars?

        • Travis Hornsby July 16, 2019 at 3:25 PM
          Reply

          Probably because it’s been compounding since payments didnt get made and since student loans cant be discharged in bankruptcy that’s how it happened. Sorry to hear. I’d definitely contact an attorney like jay@moneywiselaw.com to see if you can do something about it.

  6. Jennifer April 11, 2019 at 3:58 PM
    Reply

    If I attend a school 14 years ago (never completed) and the school is currently closed down due to fraud do I qualify for loan forgiveness

  7. Chris April 19, 2019 at 2:49 PM
    Reply

    i attended a school that said they get you into the job once out. I completed associates and the continued to work on bachelors online where I had all kinds of problems and then was with drawn from the program cause I was told i took to long to complete even though they wouldnt help figure out my problems and still had no help on getting the job the said they would help get. not long after leaving the school closed and I was left with empty promises and loans I am fighting to pay and a job doing something I didnt go to school for

    • Travis Hornsby April 20, 2019 at 8:24 PM
      Reply

      That’s tough. I don’t think you’d be able to get any discharged unless you were enrolled when it closed.

  8. Brittani April 30, 2019 at 1:00 PM
    Reply

    I took a leave of absence last July which was good for 6 months. However, I never received a follow up about that in January from the school and could not get in contact with anyone as employees were being let go then the school officially closed in March and merged with another school. I’m still trying to get in touch with someone at the merged school to see if am still listed as a student as I never did sign off anything about officially withdrawing. I’m assuming my loan discharge application was denied because it’s been past 120 days since I took a leave. Now I’m in the process of filling out another application to explain why I should not be denied. What “rare” cases are you referring to that would qualify me to have my loans discharged?

    • Travis Hornsby April 30, 2019 at 1:26 PM
      Reply

      The rarest cases are borrower defense to repayment saying you were scammed essentially. The closed school discharge is easier to get if you were a student when it closed. Hence, I think you probably would be listed as a student and if you just want to quit entirely the closed school discharge is definitely worth applying for.

  9. Gio May 15, 2019 at 10:48 PM
    Reply

    Hi I attended wyotech college for a trade in HVAC school was sued and closed for wrongful and misleading students on so many things my question is I attended in 2007 and lawsuit was I believe in 2015 or so I paid off my private loan but couldn’t afford my federal loan and now is and has been in default for some time am I eligible for a borrower discharge and get my life back thank you very much

    • Travis Hornsby May 16, 2019 at 9:05 AM
      Reply

      Borrower defense to repayment sounds like it’d be your only option. https://borrowerdischarge.ed.gov/s/?language=en_US

      • GIOVANNI CIARAMITARO May 16, 2019 at 10:40 AM
        Reply

        Thanks alot travis I appreciate that any advice on how to verbalize it so I have a shot on getting this removed

        • Travis Hornsby May 16, 2019 at 9:27 PM
          Reply

          Sure thing good luck!

  10. GIOVANNI CIARAMITARO May 16, 2019 at 10:58 AM
    Reply

    It won’t let me unless my enrollment was on or after June 1st 2010 I was in 2007 but def misled with my loans and interest included 100% on job placement totally bogus

  11. Lora May 16, 2019 at 4:28 PM
    Reply

    I am 100% disabled The only income is social security disability insurance (SSDI) and The Department Of Education has been taking money 10% out of my check. Because of this, I am currently now living in a homeless shelter. While I was attending Kapalan I had a loss of my son who was 19 and a donor. I was dealing with. I told the school about this but they continued to charge me they basically brushed me off.

    How can I get this money back. I have tried several times and I have met deadlines and yet they continue to take money out. Can you direct me to where or whom I can get help with this situation?
    Thank you,
    Lora C

  12. Shay May 28, 2019 at 3:34 PM
    Reply

    Travis – I attended Katharine Gibbs in 2008 school closed in 2009 while I was enrolled didn’t tell us the circumstance and changed name to SBI campus Stanford brown which is not accredited school… Fast forward there was a class action lawsuit to Stanford brown for fraud then they closed… I’ve been paying ppl to help with situation for years no help granted and I’m not understanding why I’m left with 41,000 loan due to a fraud school that they are aware of the credits don’t even transfer I couldn’t even continue my education because I would need to start over and I’m already in a scam debt… I’m in Ny any suggestions they are currently take my wages and tax offset… I’m finding out now there is school closed loan discharge ( do I qualify for that since I took out a loan for Katharine Gibbs that closed when I was enrolled I technically didn’t get a degree at Katharine Gibbs ) because when I finished it was Stanford Brown which I didn’t agree to that change and loan was taken out in beginning all together not like semesters

  13. Taunja June 3, 2019 at 6:55 PM
    Reply

    I am seeking advice. I went to Westwood and graduated and a year later myfedloan consolidation came on my credit. I’ve done all I know and they won’t remove it. I even talked with myfedloan and I have never been in default and they were paid and consolidated. How can I get it removed from my credit, I don’t owe!

    • Travis Hornsby June 4, 2019 at 4:11 PM
      Reply

      Sounds like you should talk to a student loan lawyer like Jay: jay@moneywiselaw.com

  14. Taunja June 3, 2019 at 7:01 PM
    Reply

    Deville Asset Management is the creditor that is trying to collect on student loans already paid and consolidated within myfedloan. That won’t provide me with anything and dispute comes back as verified but won’t give what has been verified or how.

  15. Tiffany white June 16, 2019 at 10:33 PM
    Reply

    My collage closed in 2015 a few years after I dropped my classes due to fraud. I recieved a letter from the attorney general a year later reguarding student loan forgiveness. Enclosed was a list of things to complete. I wasnt able to do so because I couldnt remember my loggin and other codes for my classes I was in. My question is do you think I would be able to get my student loans erased?

    • Travis Hornsby June 17, 2019 at 10:05 PM
      Reply

      I think if I was you I’d reach out to your state AG’s office sounds like they cared

  16. Ed July 17, 2019 at 4:43 PM
    Reply

    I keep seeing that if you attended a school and graduated within 120 days of the school closing that you may qualify for the Closed School Discharge. Is this correct? I’m seeing conflicting information.

    • Travis Hornsby July 18, 2019 at 7:27 AM
      Reply

      I believe that’s the case. Basically the closed school discharge if you qualify is much easier to get than borrower defense to repayment.

  17. danh nguyen August 15, 2019 at 9:38 AM
    Reply

    I attended CHI institute in the 2004 , later it changed to Brightwood Institute. I was paying for it out of pocket; then later I had agreement with this school to pay monthly in the amount of $50 after I graduated. I had setup an autopayment with my bank for this remaining balance since graduation. Recently, Brightwood rejected my payments. The money sent back to my bank. Next, the debt collector sent me a letter which asked me to pay for the amount on the behalf of Brightwood. I did not want to pay to the debt collector, ONLY to Brightwood. Should I continue to pay for the balance with the debt collector? I greatly appreciate for any advise!

    • Travis Hornsby August 20, 2019 at 10:45 AM
      Reply

      You really need an attorney I think in your state that knows consumer protection laws.

  18. Stephen Dufour August 26, 2019 at 2:35 PM
    Reply

    I went to Everst in Rochestet by, graduated in 08, school closed prob 5 to 8 years ago. I owed 16,000 when I left, couldnt make payments of close to 500 a month after graduation between the 2 loans. I ignored them. Over time they kept taking my taxes. Have taken close to 15,000 over time. Made a repayment plan. Couldnt keep paying $305 a month, went in default again, 2018 taxes, just took $11,400 in taxes again and I still owe around $20,000…my credit is around 500 becuz of loan..no in a program that I pay $25 a month for to keep in standing, but still defaulted

    • Travis Hornsby August 26, 2019 at 6:57 PM
      Reply

      Can you try to consolidate it. Call the default resolution group at the Dept of Education. Their number is 800-621-3115. Consolidate it and get it on the REPAYE plan and that should start to fix your credit and spare you the tax refund garnishment.

  19. Jason Cartelli August 30, 2019 at 6:47 PM
    Reply

    I attended ITT Tech back in 2012-2015 and got 2 degrees. Now ITT is closed and I owe close to $86k due to student loans. I was in deferment for a while and now they said I can’t do it again and now I have to pay close to $435 per month. Between my health conditions, doctors and more, I can not make these payments. They threaten me to garnish my wages and my taxes unless I settle this. ITT lied to all of their students and I felt cheated on my education. What can I do to settle this?

    • Travis Hornsby September 1, 2019 at 9:55 AM
      Reply

      I’d try to rehab the debt and get it on an income based payment option while you attempt to get the debt discharged. It’s unfortunately not easy right now w the new Trump rules for discharge.

  20. George Davenport September 9, 2019 at 9:22 AM
    Reply

    Hello my name is George Davenport, I attend it ITT and the school closed down. last year my income tax was taken from not paying on student loan. what can i do to get my income tax back. or not have to go through my taxes being taken again?

    • Travis Hornsby September 9, 2019 at 3:03 PM
      Reply

      Sign up for the REPAYE program George. You can do this by calling your loan servicer or consolidating the loan to a direct loan.

  21. Tim September 10, 2019 at 6:29 PM
    Reply

    Hiya,
    I attended Westwood College ’07-’11, I recently discovered they closed when trying to retrieve a copy of my transcripts. Was initially under the impression that my loans were deferred but quickly discovered they had been sent to collection and sold countless times. Like many, it was next to impossible landing a gig in the preferred area of study so after years of being homeless or unemployed I’m finally in a place to start working on all of this. I don’t believe I qualify for the
    loan discharge program but I’m curious how you would tackle the smoldering wreckage that is my life. As an Army Vet, I do feel like I was taken advantage of initially but I’m not looking for sympathy, just a way to start making things right. I’m certain the collection balance has increased pass ($80-90k) and my credit score is probably in the negatives by now, but I still want to try. Where would you start if you were me… consolidation? borrower defense? assume a new identity?

    Thanks for taking the time to hear me out.

  22. Shelley t September 14, 2019 at 12:26 AM
    Reply

    Hi- I attended a nursing school that knowingly was losing it’s accreditation. But didnt notify us until after we signed up for the semesters and and too late to drop. I am having problems finding a bsn or msn program to take me from no accrediting school. I applied for a BorrowerDefense a few months ago. Do you think i have a chance of getting it and a refund? I make less $$ because i cant get into a school- thank you-

    • Travis Hornsby September 15, 2019 at 12:11 AM
      Reply

      There’s certainly a shot but the govt has made it harder to get. I’d get on an income driven plan for now and work hard to get into a new program.

  23. James Pearson September 20, 2019 at 3:35 PM
    Reply

    I graduated from the art institute of portland back in 2012, I started a post back at another Portland State shortly after. I’ve returned from army service to find the institute is shut down and I can’t seem to get any info on my records. I’ve summited twice for my transcript and nothing has come back. I’m contacting my states records to see what they have. Should I seek some kind of discharge on my student loans? Let me know if you would need more info to answer the question. Thanks for your help.

    • Travis Hornsby September 25, 2019 at 10:35 AM
      Reply

      Try applying for the closed school discharge (you’re generally only eligible if the school closed down before you were able to earn a degree)

      https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/closed-school-loan-discharge-form.pdf

      They’re making it way harder to get any forgiveness just so you know, so I wish I could help more.

      • James Pearson September 25, 2019 at 1:33 PM
        Reply

        Thanks for getting back to me and I’ll give it a try.

  24. Delia October 7, 2019 at 1:55 PM
    Reply

    I enrolled in a program offered by America Career Training Travel School, it was 20 home-study lessons along with the three-week residential training.(between 1988-1990). Upon further research the school closed in 1990, due to fraud, misuse loans and lost its accreditation. I applied for a School Closure Loan Discharge.
    The loan service provider was unable to approve my request based on additional information needed such as a transcript showing dates of attendance, separation dates, etc. I am unable to obtain this information as the school is no longer valid. The collection agency that has it now is showing an outstanding balance of $19, 397.04. With a notice of potential wage garnishment. Would I qualify for a School Closure Loan Discharge?

    • Travis Hornsby October 8, 2019 at 4:38 PM
      Reply

      You def need a student loan lawyer could be past the statute of limitations

  25. zella October 13, 2019 at 7:51 PM
    Reply

    Any private student loan forgiveness for argosy after graduation? even if paid back, can I get it?

    • Travis Hornsby October 17, 2019 at 3:45 PM
      Reply

      Very unlikely

  26. Alisha Adams October 15, 2019 at 1:34 AM
    Reply

    I attended ITT tech from 2010-2012. I had to withdraw from the program due to family issues with my mother on law who passed away in early November of 2012. I went on a LOA and then received a letter about 4 weeks later saying that I have been discharged from school. Since the school has been shut down since 2016, would I qualify for this?

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner October 30, 2019 at 1:20 PM
      Reply

      There’s tons of lawsuits around ITT Tech forgiveness right now, so I would suggest signing up for an income driven plan right now or exhausting your forbearance options and not going into default on it.

      • Alisha Adams October 30, 2019 at 7:31 PM
        Reply

        I’m currently on REPAYE program through fedloan servicing

  27. Angela S. October 30, 2019 at 12:31 PM
    Reply

    I was wanting to change careers at middle age. In 2014, I got my Bachelor’s degree in Web Design & Development when I was 49 years old. I was not told that the technology field only hires the young people. I never could find a job in web design. I am now 56 years old and paying on students loans (Dept. of Education mostly)…..for myself…..and I don’t even have children! What a waste of time and money! Does this mean that I am NOT qualified for the Student Loan Discharge?

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner October 30, 2019 at 3:46 PM
      Reply

      It’s generally very hard to get so I wouldn’t be able to say without knowing lots of details about your situation.

  28. Sara Lee December 3, 2019 at 11:14 PM
    Reply

    I was attending Silicon Valley College but they closed and i never finished the program for Graphic Designing. Later, it was bought by western career College, they took off the IT part, now its known as Carrington college, then, Silicon Valley University. The same campus. In Fremont CA. The state now shut the school down. My question is am still paying for loan, am i still qualified for school closure loan cancellation? How can i proof the school closed when it exchanged so many owners?

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner December 13, 2019 at 10:38 AM
      Reply

      You’ll need to google the dept of ed closed school page and they have info to contact about it

  29. Tina M December 6, 2019 at 12:59 PM
    Reply

    My Son attended the Colorado Art Institute of Denver and wasn’t able to finish the 4 because of the cost. Since then the school closed their door’s in 2018 and now that he is ready to go back to school we find that he lost all of his credits because the school was no longer accredited. He is paying for student loans and is getting nothing out of. What course of action can we can take? He would like to try and get some of his loans forgiven if at all possible. Any guidance you can give would be appreciated.

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner December 13, 2019 at 10:28 AM
      Reply

      I’m not sure you’ll have luck given he wasnt enrolled when it closed. I’d suggest attempting to apply for “borrower defense to repayment.” This kind of loan forgiveness is available in some situations where the Dept of Ed determined that students were lied to or misled by a school or program, and it sometimes results in the loans being completely discharged. The acceptance rate is not super high, but it’s worth a shot

      https://borrowerdischarge.ed.gov/s/?language=en_US

  30. Gaines December 11, 2019 at 11:20 AM
    Reply

    I attended a school operating for profit. I withdrew because a death in the family. I tried to return and the school lost accreditation in the degree I was pursuing. I asked what I should do and they said pursue another degree even though I already completed 30 out 36 required hours. The degree they offered was not even related to the field I wanted to pursue. I waited and a month later I received a notice saying the school was closing. This time period was outside the 120 day window. They offered schools but they would only take 10 of my 30 hours and I never got to finish my initial degree. I applied for the loan discharge 2 years ago. My loans are still in forbearance because they are still investigating my case. How do I follow up on what is happening and is it likely the Dept of Ed will grant me a discharge?

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner December 13, 2019 at 10:23 AM
      Reply

      Likely with a new administration and unlikely with the current one. That’s my thought at least

  31. Tay. H December 19, 2019 at 6:59 AM
    Reply

    I attended Esatern International College in Jersey City, NJ. I took off a year for medial reasons. After i attempted to return the associates program that I was enrolled in converted into a BSN program. I was told I had to either return As a bachelors student or not at all. I completed all my coursework. The only only thing left to complete is my internship. Help I owe almost 40,000 in loans for a degree i cant complete.

  32. Misty January 16, 2020 at 12:50 AM
    Reply

    Hi I attended ATI in Richardson Tx in 2009 and withdrew to have my baby so I loans from there . I went back to ATI in garland to finish my medical assistant program in 2012 where I got more loans I finished all the courses but had to withdraw to take care of my mother before I did my extern hours they closed after I left . I haven’t really looked into it much but they did close because of fraud . I have never paid on my loans I’m not employed I stay at home with kids they have been in forbearance and deferment this whole time. Is it possible I could get any of my loans forgiven since they enrolled me without a GED

  33. Belen January 24, 2020 at 11:54 AM
    Reply

    I’m in default of my student loans. I attended a court reporting school which closed in March 24, 2017. I withdrew in September 7, 2016. I would like to know if It would be possible to get any of my student loans forgiven.

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner January 27, 2020 at 3:09 PM
      Reply

      You had to be enrolled when it closed, so you’re probably not eligible but check with Dept of Ed

  34. Natalie Thomas January 31, 2020 at 12:24 PM
    Reply

    My fiancé, Jose L Quintana, has an offset against his taxes from the DOE for over $9,000. The school he attended Watterson School of Business and Tech of PA was closed down in 1992, while he was attending, for fraud. Would he be eligible for loan forgiveness and how would he go about fighting something that happened over 20 years ago? Please see a book named Clearinghouse Review article name is Case Study: False Certification of ability to benefit at the Watterson School in Philadelphia..

  35. Javier February 20, 2020 at 7:19 PM
    Reply

    Hi,I know you’ve probably been asked this question a billion times. I have almost 30k in student loans (Federal), I went to school in West Palm Beach, Florida @ Lincoln College of Technology in 2015. A year after graduating the school here in West Palm  went bankrupt and closed their doors. How is it fair that they can file bankruptcy but I’m stuck with a 30k bill. Is there anything I can do to minimize or get rid of these loans? I tried getting my payments lowered and IMMEDIATE CREDIT RESPONSE (the debt collector) lowered it to where the minimum payment would be $5 a month.  Forward them seeing my tax return where it shows I made $34,xxx that year, they changed it to where my minimum payment is $229 a month. What do you recommend I do? Thank you so much for you help in advance. I am in default and my income tax returns have been taken for the last 3 years but I have not had my wages garnished yet. Thank you in advanced.

    • Travis at Student Loan Planner February 21, 2020 at 10:25 AM
      Reply

      If these are private loans then there’s nothing you can do. If they’re federal you need to consolidate or rehabilitate them and sign up for REPAYE. Agree it’s not fair. Your only recourse is “borrower defense to repayment” because you got a degree. But that’s not an option until there’s a different administration.

  36. stacy February 24, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    Reply

    Hi i was needing some advice i went to this school in okc and it closed just went to school and it was all gone , the school that we got a loan from sally mae in okc is garnishing my checks for a school that i couldnt even transfer my credits and had 2 weeks left i didnt get anything from this school but debt ! i was wondering if you knew of a lawyer i can call to resolve this situation ? its been since 2013 that ive been dealing with this , there was a settlement and everything so why am i having to pay for this ? can someone help ?

    • Travis Hornsby February 26, 2020 at 10:43 AM
      Reply

      Try reaching out to jay@moneywiselaw.com he’s an attorney but cant promise he’ll know the solution or if there is one.

  37. Elizabeth February 26, 2020 at 2:12 PM
    Reply

    Hi there. My university is currently closing, and I am planning on applying for loan discharge. Since this news arrived part-way through a term, I am wanting to stop my schoolwork immediately rather than continue working through the end of term (when the school will close, halfway through my graduate degree program). My question is…do I endanger my loan discharge if I have an “incomplete” or am not in “good academic standing” during my final term enrolled in the school?

    Thanks for any advice!

    • Travis Hornsby February 27, 2020 at 12:28 PM
      Reply

      I’d probably stick around to make sure I was currently enrolled when the school closed. It gets murky when you’re not a student when the institution closes the doors.

  38. Jonathan Ryder March 9, 2020 at 7:50 PM
    Reply

    I qualify under all of the guidelines for student loan forgiveness based on my school closing its doors. My application was denied though. Both my loan provider and board of education will not give me a straight answer. It was denied due to my provider not receiving a school closer report from the board. My school (Kaplan University Online) closed its doors and became Purdue. I was told by my provider that they would not forgive the loans because the school is still open but under a different location and name. What are my next steps?

    • Travis Hornsby March 13, 2020 at 8:43 PM
      Reply

      You’d have a hard time applying since the credits transferred over. Your only route would be borrower defense to repayment, which isnt really getting approved right now

  39. Crystal McFarling March 9, 2020 at 10:10 PM
    Reply

    I attended International Academy of Design and Technology in Henderson, NV from 2009 -2013. The teachers started leaving or your instructor would be that of multiple courses, learning as you go as some didn’t know the information a bit more than the students. The registrar’s office started being replaced by students instead of usual faculty. Classes started being cut and then rumours started that the school were closing but no one would confirm. Buttons, pins, pencils and college flair was being tossed in the hallways on tables and then you started noticing boxes, and windows that would display art from students being abandoned. It were the
    our local news that broke the story, that the school were closing it’s doors. Attempts to call the school went unanswered. I heard nothing for years and as of recent I’ve been garnished. An astronomical amount of interest accrual added and me left wondering. How is this possible? No transcript and NONE of my credits were transferable. And I was equipped no prepared to even solidify a mainstream job in the field I once had a passion for. Please advise..

    • Travis Hornsby March 13, 2020 at 8:44 PM
      Reply

      First sign up for loan rehab and get out of default. Then apply for the closed school discharge at Dept of Ed.

  40. Adrian Clark March 10, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    Reply

    Hello my income tax was taken this year for student loans. I attended Brown Mackie college I had to withdraw in March and they closed in June 2017! I see they have a lot of lawsuits etc. I sent a closed student loan discharge application in but how would I also go about getting my refund back ?

    • Travis Hornsby March 13, 2020 at 8:40 PM
      Reply

      1) Apply for the offset 2) Get out of default so it doesnt happen again. Maybe try rehab of 9 monthly payments of $5, then sign up for IBR or REPAYE

  41. francine S March 18, 2020 at 10:44 PM
    Reply

    I attended ITT-TECH in KCMO and i graduated got my associates but sadly i never got a job in my field and the school closed what do i do?? Collection took all my tax refund what are the qualifications for the loan forgiveness? HELP top it off I don’t even know who my lenders were….

    • Travis Hornsby March 19, 2020 at 10:43 PM
      Reply

      You probably need to consolidate the loan at studentaid.gov. You need to sign up for a REPAYE plan

  42. Stephanie March 22, 2020 at 2:03 AM
    Reply

    I attended University of Phoenix. My last class was in April 2017. The local school closed down a month later. To date I have not been able to find a job with my degree. Is there anything that can be done to have my loans forgiven?

  43. david waszak March 30, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    Reply

    i sent a application to get my money back that they kept taking out for my student loans and i was wondering if i got approved for it or could you please give me a number to call. its been 30 days since i put it in and i have not heard nothing yet. thank you.

  44. Carmen Campbell June 11, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    Reply

    On my credit reports, I checked my student loans’ lenders for four student loans that have it’s company permanently closed. I couldn’t make payments. What should I do?
    Now I have four additional student loans with Nelnet to make payments from my bank account. I have lost my bank account information. I only want them transfer from Nelnet to Navient to make easily payments flow from money orders. What should I do?

  45. Amanda June 15, 2020 at 10:25 AM
    Reply

    I have read that student loans from these closed institutions is possible if your credits won’t transfer to a different institution. Is that true? If I get something in writing from another college saying that they won’t transfer my credits could I be eligible for CCLD forgiveness? OR is it still dependant on if I was enrolled at the time of closure?

  46. Cs July 16, 2020 at 4:10 AM
    Reply

    I attend drake college in Elizabeth nj in 2010 completed the 11 month program. Never received certificate had to apply for a loan for more than what was needed.A portion was rewarded for class attendance but if I miss a day I wouldn’t received full payment for that week. I was making payments to Sally Mae according to income a year later it was transferred to navient without me knowing and my monthly fees went up. Unaffordable for me. The school closed in 2015 do I still have to pay.

    • Amy at Student Loan Planner July 22, 2020 at 4:43 PM
      Reply

      You might be eligible for discharge if you have Direct Loans, FFEL Loans or Perkins Loans. So, it depends.

  47. Noon July 16, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    Reply

    What if the school name was changed, for example, Kaplan University to Purdue University?

    • Travis Hornsby July 16, 2020 at 10:15 PM
      Reply

      Not sure

  48. Dawn Heller July 22, 2020 at 2:38 AM
    Reply

    I went to both Sanford Brown and Kaplan College. At Sanford Brown I went for Medical Billing and Coding. The coding part is now outdated and cannot get a job in the field. At Kaplan I went for pharmacy technician. More time was spent on and tested on the anatomy and how the blood flows through the heart and the like instead of the meds, generic equivalents, what they are used for or what side effects to look for. plus I dont care to spend to spend that much on loans for a part time job at $8.50 an hour even if I could get a job.

  49. Juvi M September 10, 2020 at 11:52 AM
    Reply

    Hello. I attended Everest University, Orlando in 2009-2014. I graduated my Master’s Degree but never got the job they promised. I was planning to take Phd course but I was forced to transfer to another university (because I am an international student, G-1visa) to continue my education to be in good standing with immigration. I was left with two weeks to process my transfer but never got any refund from the school. How do I know if I qualify?

  50. Chase September 23, 2020 at 6:06 PM
    Reply

    So I found like many people on here that my school is no longer a credited school after I had got my degree and all. I went to Le Cordon Bleu and any one who graduated after 2015 the school was no longer a credited school. Which I finished my schooling with in 2016 as the rest of the students that started after me did the teach out. Would this work for me?

  51. Socadiva November 21, 2020 at 10:22 PM
    Reply

    After the school closed; my daughter was given her CERTIFICATE for Fashion Design @ Brooks college, my daughter was failing at least 3 classes, she also didn’t attend classes for almost 4 weeks prior to school closure. When she did attempt to go to school it was chained up! Brooks closed per records on June 20th 2008 they stated she graduated on June 21st 2008. Brooks did give her a certificate, but as far as I’m concerned she did not complete the courses before closure due to she missed quite a few days. As unethical as Brooks college was; it appears they graduated students that didn’t complete the course! Since her graduation, she has never had a job where she used the education she received at Brooks. Brooks promised job placement @ 98 percent upon graduation. With the school being closed down NO one made any attempt to find jobs for the students they SCAMMED!

  52. Jesse May 11, 2021 at 10:04 AM
    Reply

    More than 2 decades ago, I attended and evetually graduated from what was called Indiana Business College (IBC). Post graduation I searched for employment within the feild of my Federaly Funded eucation. Each potenial employer advised me that ( IBC) was a Non accredited school. Is there a forgivness program? The school did close and reopened as Harrison College

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