Summary: The Department of Education is offering a solution for students to get out of paying their student loans.
After the closing of Corinthian Colleges in 2015, more American students have found that there is a chance they could erase their student loan debt without filing for bankruptcy. Any student or alumni whose school has closed down or was found to be engaging in fraud has a chance to get their federal loans forgiven under a new code referred to as the “borrower defense.” This program was originally designed to help students deceived by for-profit schools, but Department of Education undersecretary Ted Mitchell said, “We will continue to provide forgiveness to every student who has been similarly mistreated.”
Consumer Reports said that in July of 2017 new rules from the Department of Education would make it easier for students to get their loans forgiven for the aforementioned reasons. For instance, schools that close will be required to give their students information on how to apply for student loan forgiveness. It is noted though that these regulations could be changed by the Donald Trump administration, although there has not been any word that will happen. Also, students will not be able to ask forgiveness from private loans.
While these new rules go into effect in July, students whose schools have shut down on or after November 1, 2013 and who have not been able to transfer their credits will get their federal debt discharged. Betsy Mayotte, director of consumer outreach and compliance for American Student Assistance, told Consumer Reports that borrowers can email required documents to FSAoperations@ed.gov. This news may be applicable to some law students as experts predict that more schools with follow Indiana Tech Law School’s lead and close down due to loss of business.
But what about students who feel that their schools frauded them with false advertising? Examples such as the Thomas Jefferson School of Law lawsuit and the recent Trump University settlement have proven that thousands of students feel that they were tricked into enrolling in expensive programs with no return on investment.
“Hundreds of thousands of students have been harmed in recent years by predatory schools that have treated them as little more than dollar signs,” Suzanne Martindale, staff attorney for Consumers Union, said. “The action by the Department will help students get the relief they deserve and ensure schools are responsible for the cost of canceled loans when they engage in fraud.”
So does this mean that law school graduates and cannot pass the bar or get an attorney job apply for the loan forgiveness program? While they may certainly apply, it is unclear whether or not they can prove the fraud. However, it is still worth a try, as there is nothing to lose but debt.
If you feel as if you were defrauded, you can find more information on the Department of Education’s page.
Source: Consumer Reports
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Do you think law school graduates who cannot find jobs should be eligible for student loan forgiveness? Let us know in the comments below.