Fresh Start Initiative, U.S. Department of Education
On April 6, 2022 the U.S. Department of Education announced it would eliminate the negative effects of default for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans. The Fresh Start Initiative will last for a period of one year from the end of the federal student loan payment pause and eliminates the negative effects of default for borrowers who defaulted on their federal student loans prior to the pandemic payment pause. The information below applies to those who defaulted before March 13, 2020.
Program benefits include:
- Restoring access to repayment options
- Restoring eligibility to receive federal student aid
- Protecting borrowers for involuntary collection efforts and collection fees
Eligible loans:
- Defaulted William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans
- Defaulted Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans (both ED-held and commercial-held)
- Defaulted ED-held Perkins Loans
Loans not eligible for Fresh Start:
- Defaulted school-held Perkins Loans
- Defaulted Health Education Association Loan Program loans
- Student loans remaining with the U.S. Department of Justice
- Direct loans and commercial-held FFEL Program loans that default after the end of the pause on student loan payments and collections
Steps to take:
If your defaulted loans are eligible for the Fresh Start Initiative you must take steps to make payment arrangements by visiting https://myeddebt.ed.gov/, contacting your loan holder, or calling the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115.
If you believe you qualify for aid and intend to enroll at Dominican University, complete this form.
Where can I find more information?
Visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/default-fresh-start for additional details.