Legal Help
Free And Low-Cost Legal Options
Free Legal Help
If you’re struggling with a student loan issue, you may be able to get legal help. While legal resources for student loan borrowers are limited, there are options that may be available to you. Legal support may also be available through the Student Loan Empowerment Network (SLE Network), depending on staff availability and borrower eligibility. You can call (888) 774-2227 to speak with a counselor about your situation.
Legal Aid & Legal Services Organizations
There are legal aid and legal services organizations in every state that provide free legal help to people whose incomes fall below certain limits or who meet other eligibility requirements.
Contact your local legal aid organization to see if you qualify for free help with your student loan issue.
You can search for programs in your area at:
Depending on where you live, there may be more than one organization in your area. Many legal aid programs are funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), an independent nonprofit established by Congress to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. LSC provides funding to 134 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.
If You Can’t Find Legal Aid in Your Area
- Ask a local social services agency or consumer protection agency for referrals.
- Contact your local court clerk or bar association — they often have information about legal services programs.
- Use the American Bar Association’s legal help finder to locate referrals to free legal help and private attorneys in your area.
- Contact your state consumer protection agency for assistance or referrals. You can find your state consumer protection agency on this website.
Hiring a Private Attorney
If you do not qualify for free legal help, you may need to hire a private attorney.
Student loan issues are generally considered consumer law matters. You may be able to find a consumer lawyer who handles student loan cases through the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) – For Consumers website.
NACA keeps a list of its members, divided by area and type of consumer law problems they handle.
Another helpful resource is the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys website, which provides referral lists for local bankruptcy lawyers.
Hiring a Private Attorney
If you do not qualify for free legal help, you may need to hire a private attorney.
Student loan issues are generally considered consumer law matters. You may be able to find a consumer lawyer who handles student loan cases through the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) – For Consumers website.
NACA keeps a list of its members, divided by area and type of consumer law problems they handle.
Another helpful resource is the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys website, which provides referral lists for local bankruptcy lawyers.
Do You Have a Problem with Your Student Loan?
If you are experiencing problems with your student loan, you may first want to contact your lender or loan servicer’s complaint department.
If the issue is not resolved, you can file a complaint with:
• the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group, or
• the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) Student Loan Ombudsperson.
This information was reproduced with permission from the National Consumer Law Center’s “Help with Your Student Loans” page.