AESsuccess

Author: Elsie Ash
Navigating Your Student Loans: Repayment and Relief Options with American Education Services (AES)

If you are one of the millions of borrowers whose student loans are serviced by American Education Services (AES), understanding your repayment options is the key to successfully managing your debt. AES, which operates under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), serves as the intermediary that manages the billing, payment processing, and administrative aspects of your loans.

Here is a guide to the key resources and options available to you through your AES account at AESSuccess.org.

1. Essential Account Management

Your first step in loan management is to ensure your account is current and organized. Through your online account at AESSuccess.org, you can:

  • Make Payments: Set up one-time or recurring payments, which is the easiest way to ensure you never miss a due date.

  • Sign Up for Auto-Debit: Many loan programs offer an interest rate reduction (typically 0.25%) when you enroll in automatic payments.

  • Update Your Information: Keep your contact details and preferred mailing address current to receive important correspondence about your loan status and new federal policies.

  • Change Your Due Date: If another date works better for your budget cycle, you may be able to adjust your monthly due date.

2. When You Need Assistance: Repayment Relief Options

If you are facing financial hardship, do not wait until you miss a payment. AES offers several options to temporarily reduce or pause your payments for eligible loans (primarily those under the FFELP, or commercially-held federal loans, and private loans).

3. Paths to Loan Forgiveness and Discharge

For many borrowers, forgiveness is the ultimate goal. The most common pathways for federal student loans serviced by AES include:

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): This program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments made while working full-time for a government or non-profit organization. If your loans are FFELP loans serviced by AES, you must consolidate them into a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan to become eligible for PSLF. Consolidation is a crucial step for many AES borrowers seeking PSLF.

  • Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge: Cancels your entire student loan debt if a doctor, the Social Security Administration (SSA), or the VA determines that a medical condition prevents you from working.

  • Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Provides up to $17,500 in forgiveness for eligible teachers who have taught full-time for five consecutive, complete school years in a low-income school or educational service agency.

Important: Beware of Scams

As a borrower, you must be cautious of third-party "debt relief" companies. Never pay an outside company for a service you can get for free directly from AES or the Department of Education. All official applications for loan forgiveness, discharge, or income-driven repayment can be processed at no cost Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program