Blog Archives

ED Official Blog: COVID-19 and PSLF

Posted on January 20, 2021 by askHFTD

For those of you who didn’t know, the Department of Education has an official blog! It recently covered some COVID-19 and PSLF issues and we thought it was a good summary. The infographics are also very helpful, especially in determining…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness, Qualifying employer
Posted in blog, COVID-19

President Biden Extends Suspension of Student Loan Payments

Posted on January 20, 2021 by askHFTD

01/26/21 EDIT: See President Biden’s Statement/Release: “At the request of President Biden, the Acting Secretary of Education will extend the pause on federal student loan payments and collections and keep the interest rate at 0%. Too many Americans are struggling…

Tagged with: Biden, coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Moratorium, PSLF, PSLF Biden, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

COVID-19: Employer Student Loan Repayment Extended to Jan. 1, 2026

Posted on January 6, 2021 by askHFTD

In the most recent COVID-19 relief bill, Congress has extended the employer tax-free contribution until January 1, 2026. Your employer can pay you (employee) directly or your lender up to $5,250/year tax-free for both you and the employer. The employee…

Tagged with: 5250, coronavirus, COVID-19, employer, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

COVID-19: Student Loan Forbearance Extended Until Jan. 31, 2021

Posted on December 7, 2020 by askHFTD

Good news for borrowers! The CARES Act borrower benefits that were scheduled to end on December 31, 2020 has now been extended another month until January 31, 2021. This means that borrowers can save extra money that otherwise would have…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, forbearance, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

COVID-19: Upload PSLF ECF’s

Posted on October 27, 2020 by askHFTD

COVID-19 has forced many to turn to digital formats for exchanges of information. Did you know you can directly upload PSLF ECF’s onto FedLoan Servicing’s website? Save yourself a stamp and a trip to the post office! Here’s how: Login…

Tagged with: ECF, employment certification form, fedloan servicing, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

PSLF & Digital Signatures: Denials

Posted on October 26, 2020 by askHFTD

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in work from home setups where it becomes much easier and safer for HR to electronically sign Employment Certification Forms (ECF’s) for PSLF. Are digital signatures allowed for PSLF ECF’s? Some…

Tagged with: digital signatures, e-signature, electronic signatures, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

IDR Recertification & COVID-19 Strategy

Posted on October 13, 2020 by askHFTD

If you’re on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, you probably received the following e-mail from the Department of Education, asking you if you would like to recertify your IDR plan early, before your scheduled recertification date: Recently, you received a…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDR, income driven repayment, recertify
Posted in blog, COVID-19

PSLF: COVID-19 Suspension of Payments Strategy

Posted on October 12, 2020 by askHFTD

The COVID-19 relief for student loan borrowers gives all borrowers an automatic temporary suspension of payments until December 31, 2020. If you’re in PSLF, that means that during these months until December 31, 2020, you don’t have to pay anything,…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, department of education, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness, suspension of payments
Posted in blog, COVID-19

COVID-19 Forbearance and PSLF

Posted on October 3, 2020 by askHFTD

The Department of Education has updated their site with more information about PSLF and IDR during COVID-19. The good news is that suspended payments count toward PSLF! See below for more info: From FedLoan Servicing: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, department of education, fedloan servicing, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness
Posted in blog, COVID-19

PSLF Non-Payments Count for Trump’s Executive Order

Posted on August 22, 2020 by askHFTD

On August 21, 2020, Secretary DeVos has “directed Federal Student Aid (FSA) to extend the student loan relief to borrowers initiated by the President and Secretary in March 2020 through December 31, 2020.” This means that borrowers will continue to…

Tagged with: coronavirus, COVID-19, department of education, executive order, PSLF, public service loan forgiveness, trump
Posted in blog, COVID-19