If you have federal student loans, your servicer is the company that accepts your student loan payment and manages your records. You might be surprised that the federal government contracts this out to private companies and nonprofits. That means you might send your student loan payment to a different company than your friend, family member, or neighbor.
Over the past few years, the companies that are federal student loan servicers have changed. That can get confusing, especially if your student loan is transferred to a new one. Below, we’ll explain more about student loan servicers, how to find out which one you have, and a complete list of current servicers in 2026.
What are federal student loan servicers?
According to the Pew Research Center, millions of borrowers in the United States have outstanding student loans totaling $1.6 trillion. This number is 42% higher than 10 years ago due to the higher cost of college and the larger number of people attending.
To manage the payments of millions of people, the federal government awarded government contracts to individual companies responsible for sending monthly billing statements, processing payments, managing income-driven repayment plans, and handling customer service inquiries. Sometimes, these companies change, so here’s the list for 2026.
Comprehensive list of all 7 federal student loan servicers in 2026
We’ve seen some changes in student loan servicers over the past few years because some companies did not renew government contracts. Controversies and lawsuits have also affected servicer contracts.
Here is a list of every current student loan servicer as of 2026 and more information about them.
1. Edfinancial
Edfinancial is a student loan servicer based in Knoxville, Tennessee, with 30 years of experience in the student loan industry. Edfinancial processes several types of federal direct student loans, including Parent PLUS loans.
Services: Edfinancial services Federal Direct Loans and Family Education Loans (FFEL).
Contact information:
- 1-855-337-6884
- Website: Edfinancial
2. MOHELA
MOHELA stands for Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. It’s a nonprofit with 40 years of experience in student loan servicing. MOHELA has processed over 2.58 million borrower payments and gives back to its local community through student scholarships, grants, and community education. However, it’s currently experiencing turmoil as a company.
Controversy: According to the fiscal year 2024 Federal Student Aid Annual Report, borrowers complained about MOHELA’s management practices. In 2024, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) filed a lawsuit against MOHELA, alleging harmful practices. In September 2024, 50 members of Congress asked the Department of Education to terminate its contract with MOHELA.
Services: MOHELA services Federal Direct Loans and Family Education Loans (FFEL).
Contact information:
- 1-888-866-4352
- Website: MOHELA
3. Aidvantage
Aidvantage is the student loan arm of Maximus. In 2021, all 5.6 million student loan accounts previously held by Navient were transferred to Aidvantage. Maximus is a large company founded in 1975 that offers technology services, health services, and student loan management in addition to its core services.
Services: Aidvantage services Federal Direct Loans and Family Education Loans (FFEL).
Contact information:
- 1-800-722-1300
- Website: Aidvantage
4. Nelnet
Nelnet is a large company with five different business segments, including financial services, energy services, and communication. Founded in 1996, it is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, but has offices worldwide. As of 2023, it manages $495 billion in Direct Loans for 14.5 million student loan customers.
Services: Nelnet services Federal Direct Loans and Family Education Loans (FFEL).
Contact information:
- Phone: 1-888-486-4722
- Website: Nelnet
5. ECSI
ECSI is a student loan servicer with over 50 years of experience in the higher education industry. The company is part of Global Payments Inc., which has 24,000 employees worldwide.
Controversy: In 2024, ECSI was ordered to pay $3.65 million for a class-action settlement alleging ECSI charged unnecessary fees to student loan borrowers.
Services: ECSI services Federal Perkins student loans.
Contact information:
- 1-866-313-3797
- Website: ECSI
6. CRI
CRI stands for Central Research Inc. It’s one of the new servicers tapped to manage student loans in 2025. According to the National Consumer Law Center, CRI wasn’t a servicer before, but it has experience as a debt collection agency for federal student loans. CRI manages the smallest amount ($24.3 million) of loans of the servicers on this list.
Services: CRI services Federal Direct Loans.
Contact information:
- 1-833-355-4311
- Website: CRI
7. Default Resolution Group
If your federal loans are in default, your servicer might change to the Default Resolution Group. This is the Department of Education’s collections arm that offers several loan rehabilitation options if you’re struggling to make your payments.
Services: Federal loans in default
Contact information:
- 1-800-621-3115
- 1-877-825-9923 for the deaf or hard of hearing
- Default Resolution Group
Ad
Information advertised valid as of 06/15/2026. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s).
All rates shown include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit.
College Ave Student Loan Servicing, LLC, NMLS#1263410 NMLS Consumer Access
College Ave’s student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC
Information advertised valid as of 06/15/2026. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s).
All rates shown include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit.
College Ave Student Loan Servicing, LLC, NMLS#1263410 NMLS Consumer Access
College Ave’s student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC
Information advertised valid as of 06/15/2026. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s).
All rates shown include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit.
College Ave Student Loan Servicing, LLC, NMLS#1263410 NMLS Consumer Access
College Ave’s student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., and apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident). Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
1. Loan application must be submitted to see available rates.
2. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note — first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3. Based on a comparison of the percentage of students who were approved with a cosigner to the percentage of students who were approved without a cosigner from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
4. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
5. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
6. Savings comparison assumes a freshman student receives a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common variable rate as of January 2025 and the longest loan term offered.
7. Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 16.16% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $296.32 and one payment of $41.82, for a total loan cost of $36,578.90. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 16.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 177 payments of $265.54 and one payment of $173.00, for a total loan cost of $48,448.58. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Information advertised valid as of 05/26/2026.
ALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., and apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident). Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
1. Loan application must be submitted to see available rates.
2. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note — first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3. Based on a comparison of the percentage of students who were approved with a cosigner to the percentage of students who were approved without a cosigner from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
4. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
5. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
6. Savings comparison assumes a freshman student receives a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common variable rate as of January 2025 and the longest loan term offered.
7. Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 16.16% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $296.32 and one payment of $41.82, for a total loan cost of $36,578.90. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 16.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 177 payments of $265.54 and one payment of $173.00, for a total loan cost of $48,448.58. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Information advertised valid as of 05/26/2026.
ALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., and apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident). Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.
1. Loan application must be submitted to see available rates.
2. Although we do not charge you a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as provided in your promissory note — first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3. Based on a comparison of the percentage of students who were approved with a cosigner to the percentage of students who were approved without a cosigner from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024.
4. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
5. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment.
6. Savings comparison assumes a freshman student receives a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common variable rate as of January 2025 and the longest loan term offered.
7. Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 16.16% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $296.32 and one payment of $41.82, for a total loan cost of $36,578.90. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 16.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 177 payments of $265.54 and one payment of $173.00, for a total loan cost of $48,448.58. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Information advertised valid as of 05/26/2026.
ALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
Recent changes and departures in loan servicing
For various reasons, the companies contracted to be federal loan servicers change. Here are some recent transitions.
Navient
Navient was a student loan servicer that was banned from servicing student loans again. The CFPB sued Navient, alleging that it mishandled and misled student borrowers. Starting in 2024, Navient transferred loans to Aidvantage.
Great Lakes
In 2017, Nelnet announced that it would acquire Great Lakes. By 2023, all Great Lakes student loans transferred to Nelnet.
Granite State
In 2021, Granite State announced that it would not seek to renew its government contract to service student loans. All Granite State loans were transferred to Edfinancial.
Changes to PSLF
In July 2024, the Education Dept took over the management of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Previously, individual servicers handled PSLF, but now, PSLF borrowers can track their progress and ask questions about this program with the Education Department.
How to identify and contact your loan servicer
If you don’t know how to find your student loan servicer, here are two ways to do it:
- Option 1: Call the Federal Student Aid information center (1-800-433-3243), and ask them to tell you your student loan servicer.
- Option 2: Visit StudentAid.gov and create or log in to your account.
Once you’re logged in to your account, click “My Aid,” and then click “View Details.” Scroll to the bottom of that page, and you should see a list of your loan servicers.
Once you know your student loan servicer, you can create an individual account with it. If you have customer service questions, contact your servicer, not the Education Department.
About our contributors
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Written by Catherine CollinsCatherine Collins is a personal finance writer and author with more than 10 years of experience writing for top personal finance publications. As a mother to boy/girl twins, she is passionate about helping women and children learn about money and entrepreneurship. Cat is also the co-host of the Five Year You podcast.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
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Reviewed by Gail Urban, CFP®Gail Urban, CFP®, AAMS®, has been a licensed financial advisor since 2009, specializing in helping individuals. Before personal financial advising, she worked as a business financial manager in several industries for about 25 years.