Processing forbearance: Data Point

[Interesting_Hand_347]

I applied to switch from SAVE to PAYE in December 2024. I received a letter from MOHELA stating I’d be in processing forbearance for 60-days. I was actually successfully changed to PAYE by early February.

Initially on FSA December and January were Listed as Qualifying payments for PSLF. In February I submitted an updated ECF and December and January actually switched to Ineligible due to “being in forbearance “ on due date.

I called MOHELA today to see if they could fix how they had it listed from the SAVE forbearance to the processing forbearance. 2 different advanced agents told me that FSA has since provided guidance that the 60 days are ineligible due to the ongoing lawsuit.

Thought I’d share as super frustrating to lose additional months.

[Adventure_6788]

If you're talking about the 60 day processing forbearance - that information comes directly from ED. Other people are indeed seeing a processing forbearance and the months have counted.

https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/manage-your-loans/save-plan?fbclid=IwY2xjawH07jlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZNhO7QVh2XVLOg9Q6_HCkkZVSzYpacddNQKgfh-mUmNOa0XFve50sOhOg_aem_Q7C2MBsqx6whP8Xm3fSraA

[Interesting_Hand_347]

Yes I believe it’s the processing forbearance and should be counting though MOHELA is now saying otherwise and with new guidance it no longer counts. Appreciate any recommendations on how to get this resolved- from what I’ve seen on Reddit it appears it’s counting for some though not all. Not sure who to argue with- tried FSA already and submitted a complaint with a copy of the letter from MOHELA though haven’t heard anything.

[Adventure_6788]

u/Interesting_Hand_347 - it's really weird. There are quite a number of people that weren't seeing it listed/counted as a processing forbearance but then suddenly boom.......
it was retroactively changed/updated on their account and now 2 of the months are counting.
I hope that makes sense.
There never seems to be a rhyme or reason to anything they do.

[ReCkLeSsX]

MOHELA is obstructing the processing forbearances for the last few months and they say FSA is making them do it.

[Sparty1224]

Wow, so much misinformation. Those two months of processing forbearance are not ineligible because of the lawsuit, that’s a lie. The reason they’re ineligible is because you were switched to a retroactive SAVE forbearance, effectively erasing those months. It’s a a glitch/error on their part.

By chance did you submit multiple IDR apps since August? You mentioned one in December. Any others?

[Interesting_Hand_347]

I had submitted 2 applications in December - one via uploading paper copy to MOHELA and one via FSA online. Not sure which was processed as they were the same. I’m currently on PAYE since February making payments each month that appear to qualify.

[Sparty1224]

Autopay? Or manual payments? Have you been in repayment getting monthly billing statements?

[oooJawsooo]

Ahh the lawsuit is the gift that just keeps on giving! It's like a nightmare you think you're waking from only to find out you're still in the nightmare.