Up & Down Financial Aid: A Step-by-Step Guide on Learning Who Is Your Federal Student Loan Servicer

Whether you’re preparing for repayment, checking your loan balance, or updating your contact information, one of the first steps is knowing who your federal student loan servicer is. Your servicer is the company that manages your federal loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education—they send bills, process payments, help with repayment plans, and guide you through deferment or forgiveness options.

If you’re not sure who your loan servicer is (or if it recently changed), here’s how to find out quickly and accurately:

1. Log In to Your Account at StudentAid.gov (Fastest Method)

The quickest and most reliable way to identify your federal loan servicer is through the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Steps:

1. Visit www.StudentAid.gov.
2. Click “Log In” and sign in with your FSA ID.
3. Once logged in, navigate to your Dashboard.
4. Click the “My Loans” dropdown and then “Servicer History.”
5. You will then be able to view:
   • Your loan servicer’s name
   • Contact information
   • Loan details

This information is always up to date, even if there has been a recent transfer.

2. Check Your Email and Mail for Servicer Communications

When your loan enters repayment—or if your servicer changes—your servicer is required to notify you by both email and postal mail.

These messages often include your servicer’s name, your account number, and instructions on creating an online profile.

3. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC)

If you don’t have online access or are having trouble logging into StudentAid.gov, you can get help by phone.

Phone: 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4 FED AID)

Hours of Operation

• Monday: Open 8 am – 9 pm ET
• Tuesday/Wednesday: Open 8 am – 8 pm ET
• Thursday/Friday: Open 8 am – 6 pm ET
• Saturday/Sunday: Closed
• Closed on Federal Holidays

FSA can confirm who your servicer is after verifying your identity.

4. Know the Major Federal Loan Servicers

As of today, the following companies handle federal student loans:

• Aidvantage (1-800-722-1300)
• MOHELA (1-888-866-4352)
• Nelnet (1-888-486-4722)
• Edfinancial Services (1-855-337-6884)
• ECSI (1-866-313-3797)
• Default Resolution Group (1-800-621-3115)
• CRI (1-833-355-4311)

Even if you recognize a name, always double‑check through www.StudentAid.gov since servicers change frequently and your loans may transfer.

5. Beware of Student Loan Scams

Unfortunately, scams targeting borrowers are common. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Your federal loan servicer will never charge fees for assistance. Only trust information from:

• www.StudentAid.gov
• Your verified loan servicer

Don’t share your FSA ID with anyone. If someone promises loan “forgiveness” for a fee, it’s a scam. When in doubt, call your servicer directly using the phone number listed on www.StudentAid.gov, not from a suspicious email.

Once you know your loan servicer, you can set up your online account, update your contact information, and explore your repayment options. Setting up autopay is also an option, so you never have to worry about forgetting a payment!