A couple of weeks ago, the Department of Education’s Direct Loan program switched to a new a new website, run by a private company, for students to manage their Direct federal student loans. If you have Direct federal loans, you will have to manage your loans here: https://www.myedaccount.com/ (note that this is a “.com” address, as opposed to a “.gov” address).

This website has been causing enormous headaches for students trying to pay their student loan bills. The website has been functioning only sporadically, so many student borrowers have not been able to make their payments online. The Direct loans call center has been completely overwhelmed by phone calls from distressed student loan borrowers; after long wait times, borrowers are then told by rude customer service representatives that they cannot pay by phone. If you can’t make your payment by phone or on the website, you will have to mail your payment.

Anecdotally, customer service representatives are informing Direct loan borrowers that delinquent (late) payments will not be reported to credit bureaus unless they are 90 days past due, and the Department expects that everything will be smoothed out within 90 days. Let’s hope so. In the meantime, watch your credit report for any unfair “late” marks on your Direct federal loans if you’re having trouble paying because of these issues.

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