President Donald Trump signs executive orders extending coronavirus economic relief in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Aug. 8.
JIM WATSON | AFP | Getty Images
Trump’s executive order has already been called unconstitutional, and higher-education expert Mark Kantrowitz said he believes the president doesn’t have the legal authority to implement a payment pause and interest waiver for borrowers.
Still, he said, “it’s unlikely that anybody is going to object to the executive order with regard to the student loan provisions.”
The payment pause, like the one in the CARES Act, is expected to be automatic. That means you shouldn’t have to call your servicer and ask that your loans be put on hold.
Always be sure to get resolutions in writing in case you need to have them for the future.
Will Sealy
CEO of Summer
It’s not yet clear if the missed months will still count as payments for those enrolled in income-driven repayment plans or the public service loan forgiveness program. And, Kantrowitz said, “it does not provide any relief for borrowers of private student loans.”
Even though the payment pause is supposed to be automatic, borrowers should check their account to make sure their loans are in the correct status, said Will Sealy, co-founder and CEO of Summer, a company that helps borrowers simplify and save on their student debt.
“If something looks wrong, say something,” Sealy said. “If you talk to someone unhelpful, call again the next day.
“Send your request via multiple channels, like phone, email or social media,” he added. “Always be sure to get resolutions in writing in case you need to have them for the future.”
During the payment pause, experts say that borrowers should use the extra cash to first build up an emergency savings account, and then to pay off any high-interest debt. The average U.S. household has around $5,700 in credit card debt.
It remains to be seen if borrowers will get more relief in a second stimulus package, but for now they don’t have to worry about their bills until next year — at which point more help may come.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said that, if elected, he would forgive undergraduate federal student loan debt picked up at public colleges for those earning less than $125,000 a year, and would wipe out $10,000 of the debt for all borrowers.
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