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File a Complaint

Exercise your rights as a student loan borrower. Don’t hesitate to file a complaint with the appropriate state and/or federal agencies. 

Why should I file a complaint?

Filing a complaint may help address your problem. It will also help agencies that oversee the different players in the student loan system identify and address systemic issues.

How and where can I file a complaint?

Who you complain to will  depend on your issue and type of loan, federal or private.  Below is some guidance. With the exception of the U.S. Department of Education, these complaint mechanisms apply to both federal and private student loans.

  • Your student loan servicer. Even if the problem is with your student loan servicer, you should start by filing a complaint with them.  You should be able to file a complaint by phone, in writing, and often online.
  • New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS). DFS is overseeing student loan products and servicers in NYS. You can file a complaint online or by calling their Consumer Hotline at 800-342-3736.

Complaint FAQs

There are federal government agencies responsible for overseeing student loan lenders and servicers.  A complaint is usually appropriate if your efforts to resolve your issue have failed or you have obtained an unsatisfactory response.

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is one of the federal agencies responsible for overseeing private and federal student loan products and servicers.  You can submit a complaint through CFPB’s online complaint system or by calling 855-411-2372.
  • U.S. Department of Education (ED). You can file a complaint about your Direct, FFEL, Perkins or other federal grant and loan programs through ED’s Online Feedback System if complaints to resolve the issue through your servicer have failed. If you get an unsatisfactory response through the Feedback System, you can escalate your complaint to the FSA Ombudsman. This is only for federal student loans.

The Department of Education contracts with several collection agencies to manage defaulted federal student loans.

  • New York State Attorney General (AG).
  • If you have been a victim of a student debt scam, filing a complaint with the AG is appropriate. You can file a complaint online or by calling its Helpline at 800-771-7755.

What’s next?

If you file a complaint, document everything. If you call, record the date, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. If you file a complaint online, also keep record of your complaint and any correspondence you receive.

If you need help with the process of filing a complaint, contact us.

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