How Do I Find My Defaulted Student Loans?

• You can find defaulted federal loans by logging into StudentAid.gov or MyEdDebt.ed.gov. Private loans show up on your credit reports.

• If your loan is labeled “in default,” “in collections,” or “assigned to ED,” collection activity has likely started or will soon.

• To verify your balance and who holds your loan, contact the Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115 or check your loan servicer or credit report directly.

How to find defaulted student loans isn’t always obvious, especially if your loans have changed loan servicers or communication from collectors has gone quiet. For most borrowers, the fastest way to confirm federal loan status and payment history is through StudentAid.gov. Private loans usually appear directly on your credit report as delinquent or defaulted accounts.

If your account shows as “in default,” “in collections,” or “assigned to ED” (Education Department), collection actions are either already underway or imminent. With the Fresh Start program now over, the Education Department will restart aggressive collections, including wage garnishment and tax refund seizures via the Treasury Offset Program, beginning May 5, 2025.

Not sure if your student loan is in default, or need to figure out who currently holds your loan and how much money you owe? Here’s how to quickly check your loan status and find essential details using a few primary sources.

Confirming Your Default Status

Your federal student loans typically move into default if you haven’t made monthly payments for over nine straight months without an approved deferment or forbearance. Confirming whether you’ve crossed that default line is easy if you use the resources outlined below.

StudentAid.gov

The main federal portal to check the status of your student loans is StudentAid.gov. Log in to immediately see if your federal loans have defaulted, who currently holds or services your loan (often the Department of Education if defaulted), and your payment history. You can also confirm whether your loans are eligible for debt resolution programs, such as loan rehabilitation or consolidation into an income-driven repayment plan.

Default Resolution Group

If your federal loans have moved into default, you’ll want to contact the Default Resolution Group right away.

Representatives can confirm exactly who holds your loan, whether it’s directly with the Department of Education or a guarantee agency such as ECMC (often managing defaulted Federal Perkins Loans).

They’ll also explain the balance you owe, discuss repayment options, and guide you toward ways to get out of default before collections resume or your debt is referred to the Treasury Offset Program.

Speak directly to a DRG representative at 1-800-621-3115.

MyEdDebt.ed.gov

If your defaulted loan is managed by the Department of Education’s Debt Management System, head to MyEdDebt.ed.gov. This site clearly shows your outstanding balance, including principal, accrued interest, and collection fees, along with instructions on how to submit payments or set up an affordable repayment plan.

Credit Reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)

For private student loans, you’ll need to review your credit reports. Defaulted private loans will show up as “in collections,” “charged-off,” or clearly labeled as defaulted accounts. Your credit report will help identify the lender or collection agency you’ll need to contact directly to repay the debt or discuss available repayment options.

Verifying Your Exact Loan Balance

Your total loan balance includes the principal amount, accrued interest, and potentially substantial collection fees. For federal loans held by the Department of Education, log into MyEdDebt.ed.gov or contact DRG directly. Loans held by guarantee agencies will require contacting them directly. For private loans, your best bet is to reference your latest credit reports and reach out to your lender or collection agency to verify your exact balance and discuss how to repay what you owe.

If your wages have already been garnished, these payments should eventually reflect on your loan balance listed on StudentAid.gov or MyEdDebt.ed.gov. But processing delays are common. To confirm your exact, up-to-date balance after garnishment, contact the Default Resolution Group directly at 1-800-621-3115.

Learn how interest and collection fees affect your defaulted loan balance.

Knowing Who to Contact Next

Taking the next steps toward resolving your default involves contacting the right people. Federal borrowers should first use StudentAid.gov or reach out directly to DRG. Private loan borrowers can rely on their credit reports to identify the correct lender or collection agency to discuss their debt resolution or repayment options.

Here’s who to contact and what to say to your loan servicer or collection agency if you’re unsure how to start the conversation.

Now that you’ve confirmed your loans are in default, let’s look at how you can tackle this debt and get things back on track.

The most common strategies include setting up monthly payments through loan rehabilitation, consolidating into a new repayment plan, or negotiating a federal student loan settlement.

These options help you get out of default quickly, prevent further damage to your credit at major credit bureaus, and restore your eligibility for valuable benefits like Federal Student Aid, grants, and affordable income-driven repayment plans. Taking action now also means loan servicers won’t resume collections, easing financial pressure.

Once you’ve successfully resolved your default, you’ll receive official confirmation—a letter stating your loans are no longer in default, giving you clear proof that your finances are back in good standing.

To figure out the best path forward based on your income, budget, and repayment goals:

• Compare your options for getting out of student loan default

• How loan rehabilitation works and when to use it

• What to know about Direct Consolidation Loans

• When federal student loan settlement makes sense

Resolving a student loan default starts by knowing exactly who holds your loan and how much you owe. For federal loans, check StudentAid.gov, MyEdDebt.ed.gov, or contact the Default Resolution Group. For private loans, your credit reports have the information you need.

With federal collections now fully active again and options like Fresh Start no longer available, delaying action can quickly make your financial situation worse.

Book a call with one of our student loan experts if you’re feeling stuck or unsure of what your next step should be.

We’ll help you pinpoint your loan details, clearly explain your options, whether rehabilitation, consolidation, or settlement, and guide you confidently toward resolution.

Related Readings:

• What to Do After Receiving a Letter from the Default Resolution Group

• Why Aren’t My Student Loans on My Credit Report

• How to Access and Resolve Defaulted Student Loans