Resolving Issues and Disputes

Tools for Resolving Issues and Disputes

Defaulting on your federal student loan(s) can create a difficult situation. You may be able to get help by speaking with your loan holder(s).

Overview

If ECMC holds your loan(s), contact us. We may be able to help you find a solution. If you don't know who your loan holder(s) is, go to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website, which is the central database for all federal student loan information.

Below are common issues facing borrowers with defaulted loans.

• Tax and Non-Tax Offsets

  If federal or state governments have withheld your tax refund or other government payments and this is causing you financial hardship, contact your loan holder(s) to discuss it with them. If you don't know who your loan holder(s) is, go to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website, which is the central database for all federal student loan information.

  If ECMC holds your loan(s), download and complete a Tax Offset Hardship Refund Request form to request a hardship review due to offset of federal or state taxes. (Note: Complete this form only if your taxes have already been filed and you have received notification that your refund has been withheld.)

  For offset of non-tax payments such as Social Security benefits, download and complete a Non-Tax Payment Offset Hardship Refund Request form. Mail the appropriate form, along with a copy of any required supporting documentation, such as the notification, directly to ECMC at the following address.

  ECMC
  P.O. Box 16408
  St. Paul, MN 55116-0408

  Or fax the form to:

  877-645-7479
  Attention: Tax Offset

  For offset of federal travel reimbursement or federal contractor payment(s), please submit proof of reimbursement/payment via fax at 877-645-7479, Attention: Non-tax payments, or via email at customerservice@ecmc.org. Please do not submit personally identifiable information via unsecured email.

• Administrative Wage Garnishment

  If you receive an administrative wage garnishment notification, you have the right to object to the wage garnishment. Within 30 days of receiving the notification, contact your loan holder(s) to discuss it with them. If ECMC holds your loan(s), you may have already received the Notice Prior to Wage Withholding, which describes your rights as well as your option for requesting a hearing or exemption. If it has been more than 30 days since you received notice of administrative wage garnishment, contact your loan holder(s) to discuss your options. If you have questions about the administrative wage garnishment process, call 855-810-4922. Send all completed forms to:

  ECMC
  Attention: Wage Withholding Administrator
  111 Washington Avenue South
  Suite 1400
  Minneapolis, MN 55401

• Your Consumer Report

  If you disagree with the loan holder(s) tradeline on your consumer report, you can file a dispute with the national consumer reporting agencies (aka credit bureaus).

  • Equifax
  • Experian
  • TransUnion
  • Innovis, Inc.

  You may also contact the loan holder(s) that provided the tradeline(s) to the national consumer reporting agency. If ECMC holds your loan(s), contact us.

• Loan Cancellation

  Federal student loans have built-in protection against things like fraud, school closings, permanent disability and death.

  Learn about whom to contact, the types of loan cancellation, eligibility requirements and applicable forms.

  Learn more about loan cancellation.