COVID-19 Relief for Student Loans: What Boston Borrowers Need to Know

As a federal student loan borrower, you have several options to manage your student loans during this challenging time. Assess your situation and create a plan of action to navigate the economic uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

While Congress and the President work on providing economic relief, we will keep you updated on the latest developments. Check back here periodically for updates, and also visit Attorney Minsky’s Forbes page, where he frequently posts articles on breaking news and developments. You can also follow Attorney Minsky on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook for the latest information on student loan relief and Coronavirus updates.

Here’s the most up-to-date information on various student loan protections enacted in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Update, 3/20/2020: The U.S. Department of Education announced new relief for student loan borrowers, including a special administrative forbearance of up to 60 days and relief from automatic payments during times of delinquency. Learn more about the latest student loan relief options.

Update 3/25/2020: The U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will be suspending forced collections on defaulted federal student loans, including wage garnishments and tax refund seizures. Learn more about the suspension of student loan debt collection.

Update 3/27/2020: The President and Congress passed a stimulus bill that includes a six-month suspension of payments for many federal student loan borrowers. Learn more about the stimulus bill and student loan relief. Additional details were released on 4/2/2020, providing further guidance on student loan relief options.

Update 4/24/2020: New efforts to provide relief to student loan borrowers may be in the works. A bipartisan bill could expand the relief provided by the CARES Act. Additionally, there are new efforts to provide relief to private student loan borrowers, offering more options for those struggling with student loan debt.

Update 4/28/2020: Massachusetts has enacted sweeping student loan legal protections for borrowers in collections, but those protections are now being challenged in court. Read more about the latest developments in student loan legal protections.

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We are committed to the health and safety of our clients as the Coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. Here are some updates to our policies and procedures:

• All client meetings will be held by phone or video conference to ensure social distancing and minimize the risk of transmission.
• Attorney Minsky and staff will be primarily working remotely to reduce the risk of exposure and ensure business continuity.
• For new and prospective clients, the best way to reach the office during this time would be via email or the contact form on our website. This will help us respond to your inquiries efficiently and effectively.