FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2022
DFI Contact: Jess Noelck, Communications Director, (608) 261-4504, DFICommunications@dfi.wisconsin.gov
DATCP Contact: Caleb Kulich, Public Information Officer, (608) 621-1290, caleb.kulich@wisconsin.gov
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MADISON, Wis. – Today the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced they are hosting a free online student loan debt relief
workshop on October 18. The workshop will help student loan borrowers prepare for the end of the public service loan forgiveness waiver on October 31 and the end of the federal student loan payment pause on December 31.
“With student loan payments resuming in January 2023, it is more important than ever for borrowers to explore their
student loan repayment options and make a plan for repayment today,” said DFI Secretary-designee Cheryll Olson-Collins. “Borrowers should take time now while payments are still paused to look into repayment options such as
income-driven repayment plans, which may lower monthly payments, and check their eligibility for student loan
forgiveness. Not waiting until the last minute to make a plan is important and will help ensure a smooth return to
repayment.”
“As student loan payments resume, borrowers should watch for dishonest offers from debt relief scammers on loan
forgiveness or savings from consolidation,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Borrowers with questions should
attend this informational workshop to learn more about the many resources consumers can access without paying any
fees.”
Join the “Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools and Save Money” on
October 18 from 11 a.m. to noon by registering for free at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workshop-how-to-avoid-scams-use-free-repayment-tools-save-money-tickets-425826978957.
During this workshop, student loan borrowers will learn about current student loan debt relief scams to avoid and how to
use the free Wisconsin Student Loan Repayment Tool, created by Savi. Savi’s student loan experts will answer questions
about student loan repayment and explain how their tool can help borrowers navigate the complexities of federal student
loan repayment plans, forgiveness programs, and lowering student loan payments. Using Savi’s tool may help borrowers
reduce their monthly payments and optimize their repayment plans. On average, users of this tool save $156 each month
and have a lifetime savings of $28,308. Student loan borrowers can find additional free repayment resources on DFI’s
LookForwardWI.gov website.
DFI and DATCP encourage student loan borrowers to create a repayment plan now to help ensure a smooth return to
repayment and to beware of fraudsters taking advantage of this transition period. Borrowers with questions are
encouraged to call the Wisconsin Student Loan Help Hotline at (833) 589-0750 or contact Federal Student Aid. Student
loan borrowers who have been the victim of a scam should report it by filing a complaint online, emailing
datcphotline@wisconsin.gov, or calling DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
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