Ombudsman Response to Complaint + Mohela IBR Update
Summarizing for those interested, but I filed a complaint on FSA re the months of June-November being listed as “ineligible” for PSLF credits, and on my buyback request. Pasting in snippets of their response:
“Thank you for your inquiry to the Department of Education (ED) Federal Student Aid (FSA). Your inquiry was forwarded to the Ombudsman Office. You raised a concern about your account not reflecting all of your Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) credits due to the current injunction on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. I am pleased to assist.
These loans are currently in a “forbearance” status as of June 11, 2024, and are being serviced by MOHELA. Please note that your loan servicer will always have the most up-to-date information regarding your federal student loan account and balance.
We confirm that the months June 2024 through November 2024 are correctly marked ineligible for PSLF credits due to the SAVE Plan injunction. The PSLF team is actively working with the Office of the Under Secretary to determine the appropriate buyback amount for the affected months.
Regarding your PSLF buyback request, our records show that you submitted a PSLF reconsideration request on November 13, 2024, which is currently under review. Due to the high volume of requests and the need for an in-depth analysis of each account, reconsideration reviews may take time. While we cannot provide a specific timeframe for completion, rest assure that this case will remain open until a determination is made. You will receive an e-mail notification with the outcome as soon as the review is finalized.”
I also managed to finally get an advanced rep at Mohela on the line this week to “make an account adjustment request” to move me into a processing forbearance while they process my November IBR application. She told me it can take 10 business days for that to be reflected on my account and that I’ll receive a letter saying I’m on a processing forbearance as soon as it’s done.