Updated Information

View updated information regarding Federal Student Loan Debt Relief

The University of Hawaiʻi continues to learn about President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program. At this time, we would like to share the following information:

Who Is Eligible?

• Individuals with federal student loans for which first disbursement of the loans happened on or before June 30, 2022 and who make under $125,000 per year, or households earning less than $250,000, qualify for up to $10,000 in forgiveness.
• Forgiveness is capped at the remaining balance of an individual’s loan, so one who has less than a $10,000 balance would only receive forgiveness for the remaining loan amount. 
• Qualified borrowers who received Pell Grants while in college are eligible for additional $10,000 of loan forgiveness up to $20,000 total.
• Eligibility will be based on your adjusted gross income. IRS income figures from a student’s FAFSA from 2021 or earlier may render you eligible, but 2022 calendar income will not.
• Current student loan borrowers who are dependent students will be eligible for relief based on their parents' income. Parent PLUS loans that were disbursed prior to June 30,2022 are also eligible under the president's plan.

Where Can I Find Out More Information?

• Some borrowers who have an income-driven repayment plan in place may be eligible for loan forgiveness without needing to submit an application. For most individuals, a simple application will be necessary; however, the application is not available yet. Read about the student debt relief plan.
• To Sign up for automated emails from the U.S. Department of Education Subscriptions (select the “Federal Student Loan Borrower Updates box) that will provide updates directly from the Department.
• Borrowers who made loan repayments after March 13, 2020 may request refunds by contacting their loan servicer directly, according to Federal Student Aid COVID-19 Loan Payment Pause and 0% Interest. Additionally, any amount paid after August 24, 2022, that brings an eligible borrower below the $10,000 or $20,000 threshold will automatically be refunded with the borrower requesting it.

What Else Can I Do Now?

• Students can check their student aid history, including loan balances and Pell Grant recipient status by logging in to their federal student aid account on Federal Student Aid.
• Make sure your contact information is up to date with your student loan servicer. If you don’t know who your servicer is, consult the Department of Education’s “Who is my student loan servicer?” web page for instructions.
• Watch for more information from your student loan servicer.

UH will continue to monitor details about the Student Loan Forgiveness Program. UH Financial Aid Office Staff do not have your specific loan repayment information. Students are encouraged to reach out directly to their student loan servicer for details specific to their loan and their situation.

In an effort to eliminate the negative effects of default for borrowers who defaulted on their federal student loans prior to the pandemic payment pause, the U.S. Department of Education enacted the Fresh Start initiative program. This initiative may enable some borrowers with defaulted federal (Title IV) student loans to regain Title IV HEA federal student aid eligibility.

The Department of Education will release further information regarding the Fresh Start program, and they advise that those interested ensure that their loan holders have their up-to-date contact information, as further information will be communicated through there.

For more information, please refer to the Fresh Start Initiative.