Student Loan Forgiveness: Ashford University's Guide

Former students of Ashford University may be eligible for student loan forgiveness. In 2023, the California Department of Justice won a lawsuit against Ashford University, which ruled that the university had used deceptive recruiting tactics to lure students. As a result, the Department of Education approved borrower defence claims for students who attended the university between March 1, 2009, and April 30, 2020. Students who believe they were misled or defrauded by the school can apply for loan forgiveness through the Federal Student Aid website. Additionally, students who were enrolled at the time of its transition to the University of Arizona Global Campus may be eligible for a Closed School Discharge, and those with total and permanent disabilities may qualify for loan forgiveness through the Total and Permanent Disability Discharge program.

Eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The PSLF program is designed to help borrowers who work in public service jobs. To be eligible for loan forgiveness under this program, borrowers must make 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years' worth) while working in a public service job. This program is open to borrowers working for government agencies or non-profit organizations, even if their loans were not directly tied to their Ashford education.

Borrower Defense Program

The Borrower Defense program is for borrowers who have been defrauded or misled by their school. To be eligible for loan forgiveness under this program, former Ashford students must demonstrate that the university's actions directly harmed them. This can include misrepresentations about job placement rates, program quality, accreditation, and aggressive recruitment practices. Students should gather any evidence that supports their claims, such as emails, promotional materials, or transcripts.

Closed School Discharge

Although Ashford University did not officially close, students who were enrolled at the time of its transition to the University of Arizona Global Campus may be eligible for a Closed School Discharge. This program cancels federal student loans for students who were unable to complete their program due to a school closure or significant changes in the school's operations. To qualify, students must have been enrolled at Ashford University within 120 days of its sale and must not have completed their degree elsewhere.

Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

The Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program is for borrowers who are unable to work due to a disability. To qualify for loan forgiveness under this program, borrowers must provide proof of their disability to the Department of Education. This program is designed to help borrowers who are permanently disabled and unable to earn an income.

It is important to note that eligibility requirements may vary and students are advised to seek legal assistance or consult official sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their specific situation.

How to apply for loan forgiveness

If you are a former student of Ashford University and you are struggling to make your loan payments, there are a number of loan forgiveness and repayment options available to you.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you work in a public service job, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program is designed to help borrowers who have made 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years' worth) while working in a public service job. To qualify, you must work for a government agency or non-profit organization.

Borrower Defense Program

If you believe you were defrauded or misled by Ashford University, you can apply for the Borrower Defense Program. This program allows former students to seek relief from their student loans if they can demonstrate that the university's actions directly harmed them. Common claims include misrepresentations about job placement rates, program quality, accreditation, and aggressive recruitment practices. To apply, gather any relevant evidence, such as emails, promotional materials, or transcripts, and submit a claim through the Federal Student Aid website.

Closed School Discharge

If you were enrolled at Ashford University within 120 days of its sale to the University of Arizona Global Campus and were unable to complete your program due to this significant change in the school's operations, you may be eligible for a Closed School Discharge. This program cancels federal student loans for students impacted by school closures or major changes.

Total and Permanent Disability Discharge

If you are unable to work due to a disability, you may qualify for the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program. This program cancels federal student loans for borrowers who can provide proof of their disability to the Department of Education.

Private Student Loan Forgiveness

If you have private student loans, you may be able to get help through Ashford University Loan Forgiveness, a private company that assists people in obtaining federal government student loan forgiveness or consolidation programs. They can help you pre-qualify, prepare, and submit the required documentation.

It is important to stay informed about legal developments related to Ashford University, as they may impact your eligibility for loan forgiveness or provide additional financial relief. You can also seek legal assistance from organizations like the Project on Predatory Student Lending, which specializes in helping defrauded students.

Legal developments and how they impact eligibility

It is important to stay informed about legal developments related to Ashford University as they may impact your eligibility for loan forgiveness or provide additional financial relief. Here are some key legal developments and how they may affect eligibility for student loan forgiveness:

• California Lawsuit and Settlement: In February 2023, the state of California won a lawsuit against Ashford University and its parent company, Zovio, Inc. (formerly Bridgeport Education). The court found that between March 1, 2009, and April 30, 2020, Ashford and Zovio provided students with false or misleading information about costs, financial aid, the pace of degree programs, career outcomes, and transferability of credits. As a result, the Biden administration approved $72 million in borrower defense repayment discharges for affected students. This legal development directly impacts the eligibility of former Ashford University students who attended during the specified period and were harmed by the misinformation.
• Iowa Consumer Fraud Settlement: In 2014, Ashford University and Bridgeport Education settled consumer fraud claims in Iowa for $7.25 million. While Ashford did not admit any wrongdoing, the Iowa Attorney General stated that the university used "unconscionable sales practices," including telemarketers making false statements to induce enrollment. This settlement highlights the pattern of deceptive practices employed by the university and strengthens the case for borrower defense claims.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program Restorations: The PSLF Program, established by Congress in 2007, promises to forgive student loans for Americans who complete 10 years of service in public sector jobs while making 10 years of minimum payments. However, there have been concerns about abuse of the program and its negative societal effects. As a result, there may be changes in eligibility requirements or increased scrutiny to ensure that only those who truly serve the public interest qualify for loan forgiveness. This could impact the eligibility of borrowers employed by organizations engaged in substantial illegal or activist activities.
• Closed School Discharge: While Ashford University did not officially close, its transition to the University of Arizona Global Campus may qualify former students for a Closed School Discharge. This program cancels federal student loans for students who were unable to complete their program due to significant changes in the school's operations. To qualify, students must have been enrolled at Ashford University within 120 days of its sale and must not have completed their degree elsewhere.
• Total and Permanent Disability Discharge: Former Ashford students who are unable to work due to a total and permanent disability may qualify for loan forgiveness through the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program. This program cancels federal student loans for borrowers who can provide evidence of their disability and their inability to earn an income.

To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to stay informed about legal actions and settlements involving Ashford University and to seek legal assistance if needed to navigate the loan forgiveness application process.

Student loan consolidation

If you attended Ashford University, you can call (800) 659-4099 to see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness. The Ashford University Loan Forgiveness program assists people in obtaining federal government loan forgiveness by pre-qualifying, preparing, and submitting the required documentation on their behalf.

Now, if you are one of the approximately 45 million Americans with student loan debt, you may have heard of "student loan consolidation." But what does it mean?

How to Apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan:

• Log in to studentaid.gov to access the direct consolidation loan application.
• Gather the required documents before starting the application, as you'll need to complete it in one session.
• Choose which loans you want to consolidate and which you do not.
• Select a repayment plan. You can opt for a plan based on your loan balance or one tied to your income. If you choose an income-driven plan, you'll need to fill out an additional form.
• Read the terms carefully before submitting the form online.
• Continue making your current loan payments until your servicer notifies you that the consolidation is complete.

Other Options:

If you are a former Ashford University student who believes you were misled or defrauded by the school, you may also want to explore the Borrower Defense program and other forgiveness options. Additionally, if you now work in a public service job, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program may provide loan forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments.

Private student loan forgiveness

The Biden administration has approved $72 million in debt relief for over 2,300 borrowers who were misled by Ashford University. This includes false information about the cost of attendance, the time it would take to complete a degree, and the transferability of credits. This forgiveness applies to those who attended Ashford between March 2009 and April 2020 and applied for cancellation through the Education Department's borrower defense program.

Former students of Ashford University can also apply for loan forgiveness through the Borrower Defense program if they can demonstrate that the university's actions directly harmed them. This could include misrepresentations about job placement rates, program quality, accreditation, and aggressive recruitment practices. Students should gather evidence, such as emails, promotional materials, or transcripts, to support their claims.

Additionally, there are a few other options for loan forgiveness for Ashford University students:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): This program is for those who work for government agencies or non-profit organizations and have made 120 qualifying payments.
• Closed School Discharge: Although Ashford University did not officially close, students enrolled at the time of its transition to the University of Arizona Global Campus may be eligible.
• Total and Permanent Disability Discharge: This program is for former students who are unable to work due to a disability.

For private student loans, it is recommended to contact Ashford University Loan Forgiveness for assistance in determining the best programs for your specific case. They can be reached by calling (800) 659-4099 or by filling out a form on their website.

Frequently asked questions