On this page: Finding Legal Assistance Resources from NCLC Assistance within Deparment of Education Assistance from Guaranty Agencies and Lenders Legislator Contacts Comparing Student Loans Products Helpful Information and Media Resources

FINDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE

There are organizations in every state and most communities which provide free legal help to people whose incomes fall below certain amounts.

Many of these programs are funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Borrowers can find out more by looking up LSC’s web site or by calling (202) 295-1500. To find out about legal services programs that are not funded by LSC, borrowers should check their local phone book or ask a local social services or consumer protection agency. Court clerks often have information about legal services programs as well.

All states have consumer protection agencies, listed here.

For consumer law problems, borrowers should also look up the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) list of members. NACA’s list is divided by region and by area of practice. The members also rate their level of experience in different consumer areas. Contact NACA by calling (202) 452-1989 or check out the NACA website. Another helpful resource is The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, which provides referral lists for local bankruptcy lawyers. Find out more by calling 202-331-8005. In addition, Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law maintains a data base of pro bono bankruptcy clinics.

RESOURCES FROM THE NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER

NCLC’s publication, Student Loan Law, is especially useful for attorneys and advocates representing student loan borrowers. NCLC also publishes a book for consumers and their advocates, Guide to Surviving Debt that includes general information about handling all types of debts, including student loan debt.

ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Student Loan Ombudsman
The ombudsman office was created to help borrowers with difficult problems. The ombudsman has a website and borrowers can submit problems online. The toll-free phone number is 877-557-2575. The e-mail address is fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov; the fax number is 202-275-0549; the mail address is U.S. Department of Education, FSA Ombudsman, 830 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20202-5144.

Department of Education Publications
The Department of Education publishes some very useful guides, including “Your Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt ” (working draft) and “Funding Education Beyond High School.” The Guides are updated each year and are available in English and Spanish online or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

ASSISTANCE FROM GUARANTY AGENCIES AND LENDERS

Many guaranty agencies and lenders have their own ombudsman or customer service offices. Some of these agencies do not publicize these services very well and you will have to ask to find out whether they exist.

Below is a partial list of guaranty agency and lender resources. These are agencies that agreed to list their information on this site. If your loan holder is not on this list, you should still check to see if they have an ombudsman or customer advocate unit.

The agencies prefer that you first try to resolve your problem with the representative from their company or from a collection agency that has already contacted you. The ombudsman will get involved if these initial efforts are unsuccessful. You should only call one of these programs if they hold your loan.

American Student Assistance
Ombudsman: Grace Bartini
Phone: 1-800-999-9080 ext. 4512
E-mail: bartini@amsa.com

College Assist/Nelnet Guarantor Solutions
Ombudsman: Marilyn Young
Contact Information:
Regular Mail: 999 18th St., Suite 425
Denver, CO 80202-2471
Phone: (303) 305-3274 (Direct line to ombudsman)
E-mail: Marilyn.young@college-assist.com

EDFUND/CSAC
Ombudsman:
Phone: Toll free 877.2EDFUND (877.233.3863) extension 8024
E-mail: Ombuds@edfund.org
More information about EDFUND ombudsman.

Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation
Ombudsman
Regular Mail: Ombudsman
P.O. Box 7859
Madison, WI 53707-7859
Phone: (866) 486-7140 (toll free)
(608) 246-1485 (toll call)
Fax: (800) 749-8537 (toll free)
E-mail: ombudsman@glhec.org

National Student Loan Program
Ombudsman: Beth Vollan
Mail Address: NSLP Ombudsman
1300 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 800-735-8778, ext. 6859
E-mail: bethv@nslp.org
More information about NSLP Ombudsman.

Sallie Mae
Customer Advocate Unit
More information about Sallie Mae Customer Advocate Unit, including how to contact the Unit.

Student Loans of North Dakota
Compliance Officer: Char Feist
Phone: 1-800-472-2166, extension 5753
(701) 328-5753 (toll call)
E-mail: cfeist@nd.gov

Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation
Ombudsman: Luanne Dodge
Phone: 1 800 252-9743 extension 4502
More information about TGSLC ombudsman.

Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority
Ombudsman: Stacey Fabros
Mail Address: Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority
The Board of Regents Bldg., The Gateway
60 S. 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: (801) 321-7238
E-mail: sfabros@utahsbr.edu

LEGISLATOR CONTACTS

You might also try contacting your congressional representative or senator’s office for assistance. You can find their names and contact information on-line:

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

COMPARING STUDENT LOAN PRODUCTS

Read and decode real financial aid letters: Financial Aid Letter.com

Student Loan Tips from The Project on Student Debt

Comparing Discounts on Federal Student Loans

Ask the Aid Adviser

FinAid.org

How to Earn a Degree Without Going Broke

HELPFUL INFORMATION & MEDIA RESOURCES

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Inside Higher Education

New America Foundation’s Higher Education Watch Blog

Project on Student Debt

State PIRGs Higher Education Project

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH OTHER TYPES OF DEBT AND CREDIT ISSUES:

Americans for Fairness in Lending