STUDENT LOAN DISPUTE LETTER

Table of Contents

1. Sender and Recipient Information
2. Loan Identification
3. Type of Dispute
4. Detailed Statement of Dispute
5. Demands and Requested Relief
6. Legal Basis
7. Signature and Enclosures

1. Sender and Recipient Information

Date: [DATE]

SEND VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Certified Mail No.: [TRACKING NUMBER]

From:
[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Account Number: [LOAN ACCOUNT NUMBER]

To:
[LOAN SERVICER NAME]
[SERVICER ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

2. Loan Identification

Loan Servicer: [SERVICER NAME]
Account Number: [ACCOUNT NUMBER]
Loan Type: ☐ Federal Direct ☐ Federal FFEL ☐ Federal Perkins ☐ Private
Original Lender (if different): [LENDER NAME]
School Attended: [SCHOOL NAME]
Enrollment Period: [START DATE] to [END DATE]
Current Balance (as reported): $[AMOUNT]
Current Status: ☐ In Repayment ☐ Deferment ☐ Forbearance ☐ Default ☐ Collections

3. Type of Dispute

I am writing to dispute the following (check all that apply):

3.1 Balance/Amount Disputes

☐ The balance is incorrect — I believe the correct balance is $[AMOUNT]
☐ Interest has been calculated incorrectly
☐ Payments have not been properly credited
☐ Fees have been improperly assessed
☐ Capitalized interest was improperly calculated

3.2 Repayment Plan Disputes

☐ I was placed on the wrong income-driven repayment (IDR) plan
☐ My monthly payment amount was calculated incorrectly
☐ My payment count for PSLF/IDR forgiveness is incorrect
☐ My recertification was improperly processed
☐ I should have [NUMBER] qualifying payments but only [NUMBER] are credited

3.3 Servicer Misconduct

☐ Servicer provided incorrect information about repayment options
☐ Servicer failed to process my IDR/PSLF application timely
☐ Servicer placed me in forbearance without my consent
☐ Servicer failed to properly apply my payments
☐ Servicer failed to respond to prior correspondence

3.4 School-Related Disputes (Borrower Defense)

☐ My school engaged in fraud or misrepresentation that induced me to borrow
☐ My school closed while I was enrolled or shortly after withdrawal
☐ I am seeking discharge under Borrower Defense to Repayment (34 C.F.R. § 685.206)

3.5 Collection/Default Disputes

☐ I dispute that this loan is in default
☐ The default was caused by servicer error
☐ I was not properly notified before default
☐ Wage garnishment was improperly initiated
☐ The debt collector is violating the FDCPA

3.6 Credit Reporting Disputes

☐ This loan is being incorrectly reported to credit bureaus
☐ The payment history reported is inaccurate
☐ The loan status reported is incorrect

4. Detailed Statement of Dispute

[PROVIDE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF YOUR DISPUTE, INCLUDING:
- Specific facts and dates
- What happened vs. what should have happened
- Prior communications with the servicer about this issue
- How the error has affected you
- Any documentation you have to support your dispute], I submitted my IDR recertification form. Despite timely submission, my servicer did not process it until [DATE], causing my payment to increase from $[AMOUNT] to $[AMOUNT]. I called on [DATE] and spoke with [NAME], who acknowledged the error but did not correct it."]

5. Demands and Requested Relief

I request the following actions:

5.1 Immediate Actions

☐ Correct the balance to reflect the accurate amount of $[AMOUNT]
☐ Credit the following payment(s) that were not properly applied: [LIST DATES AND AMOUNTS]
☐ Remove improperly assessed fees totaling $[AMOUNT]
☐ Recalculate interest from [DATE]
☐ Place my account in administrative forbearance while this dispute is resolved
☐ Cease all collection activity pending resolution of this dispute

5.2 Repayment Plan Corrections

☐ Place me on the correct IDR plan: ☐ SAVE ☐ IBR ☐ PAYE ☐ ICR
☐ Recalculate my monthly payment using correct income of $[AMOUNT]
☐ Credit [NUMBER] additional qualifying payments toward PSLF/forgiveness
☐ Process my pending application for: [SPECIFY]

5.3 Credit Reporting Corrections

☐ Correct credit bureau reporting to show [CORRECT STATUS]
☐ Remove late payment reporting for [DATE(S)] — payments were timely or error was servicer's

5.4 Documentation Requested

☐ Complete payment history for all loans
☐ Itemized accounting of balance, including principal, interest, and fees
☐ Copies of all promissory notes
☐ PSLF/IDR qualifying payment count
☐ Copies of all correspondence between servicer and Department of Education regarding my account

6. Legal Basis

This dispute is supported by the following legal authorities:

☐ Federal servicing requirements — Loan servicers are contractually required by the Department of Education to process applications, payments, and correspondence accurately and timely.

☐ FDCPA (15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq.) — If this loan is being collected by a debt collector, the FDCPA prohibits false representations, unfair practices, and requires debt validation upon request.

☐ FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2) — Furnishers of information to credit bureaus must report accurate information and investigate disputes.

☐ Borrower Defense to Repayment (34 C.F.R. § 685.206(e)) — Borrowers may assert school misconduct as a defense against repayment of federal Direct Loans.

☐ Due Process (20 U.S.C. § 1095a) — Before wage garnishment of federal student loans, the borrower is entitled to notice and opportunity for a hearing.

☐ State consumer protection laws — [STATE] consumer protection statute, [CITATION], prohibits unfair and deceptive practices by loan servicers.

7. Signature and Enclosures

Please respond to this dispute in writing within thirty (30) days.

Sincerely,

_______________________________________
[YOUR SIGNATURE]

_______________________________________
[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

Date: [DATE]

Enclosures:

☐ Payment receipts or bank statements showing payments made
☐ Correspondence with servicer about this issue
☐ IDR/PSLF application copies
☐ Credit report showing disputed reporting
☐ Employer certification forms (if PSLF-related)
☐ Other: [DESCRIBE]

ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT RESOURCES

If your servicer does not resolve this dispute, file complaints with:

☐ FSA Ombudsman Group — StudentAid.gov/feedback or 1-877-557-2575
☐ Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — consumerfinance.gov/complaint
☐ Department of Education Office of Inspector General — ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig
☐ State Attorney General — [STATE AG WEBSITE]
☐ State Department of Education — [STATE DOE WEBSITE]