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Where to Go for Help

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. LawHelp.org helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid referrals. 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.

Resources from the National Consumer Law Center

stud-loan-bookNCLC’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 ” 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.  If you do not know which agency is holding your loan, you should check with the Department of Education ombudsman for more information.

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

  • Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority

    Ombudsman: Elaine Brumback
    Regular Mail: KHEAA Ombudsman
    PO Box 798
    Frankfort, KY 40602
    Phone: 800-928-8926, ext. 67278
    E-mail: ebrumback@kheaa.com

  • Michigan Guaranty Agency

    Ombudsman: Ross Martin
    Mail Address: Michgan Guaranty Agency
    Attn: Ross Martin/Ombudsman
    PO Box 30047
    Lansing, MI 48909
    Phone: 800-MGA-LOAN (642-5626) Ext. 60658
    E-mail: Martin R1@michigan.gov

  • National Education Servicing

    Ombudsman Contact: Tracy Kaufmann
    Mailing Address: 200 W. Monroe, Suite 700
    Chicago, IL 60606
    Phone: 800-345-4325, ext. 5189
    E-mail: tkaufmann@nationaled.net

  • 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
    Associate Ombudsman: Oscar Huapaya
    Phone: 800-735-8778, ext. 6814
    More information about NSLP Ombudsman.

  • Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program

    Ombudsman Contact: Kim Elston
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3000
    Oklahoma City, OK 73101-3000
    Phone: 800-247-0420 (toll free)
    E-mail: kelston@ogslp.org

  • 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:

Comparing Student Loan Products

Helpful Information & Media Resources

More Information and Resources to Help You with Other Types of Debt and Credit Issues

Last updated: January 9th, 2010 | | Print Print