Student Loan Forgiveness Impersonation
A caller or message impersonates the Department of Education or your servicer and charges a fee to 'enroll' you in loan forgiveness that is actually free to apply for.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
You are offered fast student-loan forgiveness or a special relief program if you enroll now and pay a processing or enrollment fee, or hand over your Federal Student Aid (FSA) login. Federal forgiveness programs are free to apply for through official channels, and no one legitimate charges to enroll you or needs your FSA password. Scammers take the fee, and with your login they can redirect or lock you out of your loan account.
What it usually looks like
- An urgent 'forgiveness program' offer with a deadline.
- A fee to enroll or 'lock in' forgiveness.
- Requests for your FSA ID username and password.
- Claims of a special or limited-time government program.
Common warning signs
- Applying for federal forgiveness is free; a fee is a red flag.
- Anyone asking for your FSA ID password.
- High-pressure deadlines to enroll now.
- Callers who cannot be verified as your real servicer.
Example wording scammers use
“Act now: you're pre-qualified for full student loan forgiveness. Pay the one-time enrollment fee to lock it in.”
“To process your forgiveness, verify your FSA ID username and password.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- An enrollment or processing fee.
- Your FSA ID login.
- Control of your loan account.
What to do
- Never pay to apply for federal loan forgiveness — it is free at studentaid.gov.
- Never share your FSA ID password.
- Contact your loan servicer through official channels to check your options.
- Report the offer.
What to do if you already responded
- Change your FSA ID password immediately and check your loan account.
- Contact your servicer to secure the account.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and studentaid.gov.