How to Get Student Loan Relief After the L.A. Wildfires

If you have federal student loans

Monitor your email and student loan accounts

Make sure you have email communications enabled in your federal student loan servicer account and studentaid.gov account, in case you can’t access regular mail. Frequently monitor your inbox for any communications from the Education Department and your student loan servicer, who often contact affected borrowers shortly after a natural disaster, says Celina Damian, student loan servicing ombudsperson at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

Opt for a natural disaster forbearance — if you need it

Your servicer will automatically put your loans in a natural disaster forbearance if you live in a FEMA disaster ZIP code and miss a student loan payment, Buchanan says. This will pause your bills for up to 90 days and prevent student loan default. Or, you can call your servicer to proactively request a natural disaster forbearance. No documentation is needed, he says.

Understand other federal student loan relief options

You don’t need to live in a FEMA disaster ZIP code to get relief. Any borrower can call their servicer and request a general student loan forbearance for up to 12 months at a time. If you’ve lost your job, you can also request an unemployment deferment for up to three years. Interest will likely accrue during these periods, and you won’t make progress toward loan forgiveness.

If you have private student loans

Call your lender and avoid interest capitalization

Call your private student loan lender. Explain your situation, and ask about natural disaster relief options, such as a temporary forbearance. “Every private student loan is different. Some will offer relief in cases of disaster and some may not,” says Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA). “The best thing that borrowers with private loans can do is to just communicate with their lender and see what might be available to them.”

If you are a current student

Contact your school’s financial aid office

Contact your school’s financial aid office and ask them to reassess your aid eligibility if the wildfires have affected your family’s finances. Notify them about any change in residence if you’ve been displaced. They may increase your aid package or direct you to your school’s emergency financial aid fund.

Get additional student loan help after the wildfires

Start with your servicer or lender if you have questions about your student loan relief options. If you still need help with a complex situation, consider reaching out to these resources:

• California’s Student Loan Empowerment Network. If you’re a borrower living in California, you can get one-on-one support from this organization, which is operated by the state’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Call 888-774-2227 or fill out a form on its website.
• California’s student loan ombudsperson office. This office can help you navigate complex student loan issues if you live in California. Reach out through its online contact form. If you live elsewhere and face a natural disaster, a handful of other states also offer this service to residents.
• Borrower assistance organizations. Nonprofits like TISLA can help you understand your relief options.
• Your college’s financial aid office. Even if you left college years ago, your former financial aid office will likely be happy to offer resources and talk through questions about relief.

These resources are always free. Watch out for student loan scammers, who may try to charge you a fee to access student loan relief.

Conclusion

If the L.A. wildfires have displaced or otherwise impacted you, you may qualify for natural disaster financial relief — including relief from student loan bills. By understanding your options and taking proactive steps, you can get the help you need to manage your student loan debt.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to live in a FEMA disaster ZIP code to get student loan relief?
A: No, you don’t need to live in a FEMA disaster ZIP code to get relief. Any borrower can call their servicer and request a general student loan forbearance or unemployment deferment.

Q: Will interest accrue during a natural disaster forbearance?
A: Yes, interest will likely accrue during a natural disaster forbearance. However, you won’t make progress toward loan forgiveness.

Q: Can I get student loan relief if I’m a current student?
A: Yes, you can contact your school’s financial aid office to reassess your aid eligibility if the wildfires have affected your family’s finances.