Nelnet is a student loan servicing company that provides customer service and support to borrowers with federal and private student loans. Nelnet is one of the largest student loan servicers in the United States, and it services loans for millions of borrowers. Nelnet is responsible for collecting payments from borrowers, managing loan accounts, and providing customer service. Nelnet also works with borrowers to develop repayment plans and to apply for loan forgiveness programs.
- What is Nelnet?
- How does Nelnet work?
- What types of student loans does Nelnet service?
- How to make a payment to Nelnet
- How to set up automatic payments with Nelnet
- How to apply for forbearance or deferment with Nelnet
- How to consolidate your student loans with Nelnet
- Nelnet’s customer service options
- Tips for managing your student loan debt with Nelnet
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
What is Nelnet?
Nelnet is a student loan servicing company that provides customer service and support to borrowers with federal and private student loans. Nelnet is one of the largest student loan servicers in the United States, and it services loans for millions of borrowers. Nelnet offers a variety of ways for borrowers to make payments, including online, by phone, and by mail. Borrowers can also set up automatic payments with Nelnet. If borrowers are unable to make their student loan payments, they may be eligible for forbearance or deferment. To apply for forbearance or deferment, borrowers can log in to their Nelnet account or call Nelnet’s customer service line.
How does Nelnet work?
Nelnet is a student loan servicer, which means that it acts as an intermediary between the government or private lenders and student loan borrowers. Nelnet is responsible for collecting payments from borrowers, managing loan accounts, and providing customer service. When a student borrows a federal student loan, the loan is originated and funded by the US Department of Education. However, the Department of Education does not directly service the loan. Instead, it contracts with student loan servicers like Nelnet to handle the day-to-day management of the loan. Nelnet also offers a variety of online tools and resources to help borrowers manage their student loan debt. For example, borrowers can log in to their Nelnet account to view their loan balances, make payments, and set up automatic payments. Borrowers can also use Nelnet’s website to learn about repayment options, loan forgiveness programs, and other financial aid resources.
What types of student loans does Nelnet service?
- Federal student loans: Nelnet services all types of federal student loans, including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans.
- Private student loans: Nelnet services private student loans from a variety of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and state agencies.
- Consolidation loans: Nelnet offers consolidation loans that allow borrowers to combine multiple student loans into a single loan with a single monthly payment.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) loans: Nelnet services PSLF loans, which are federal student loans that can be forgiven for borrowers who work full-time for qualifying employers for 10 years.
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness loans: Nelnet services Teacher Loan Forgiveness loans, which are federal student loans that can be forgiven for borrowers who teach full-time for five consecutive years in a Title I school or educational service agency.
Here are some additional details about the different types of student loans that Nelnet services:
- Federal student loans: Federal student loans are backed by the US government and offer a variety of benefits, such as low interest rates, flexible repayment options, and loan forgiveness programs.
- Private student loans: Private student loans are made by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Private student loans typically have higher interest rates than federal student loans and may not offer as many benefits.
- Consolidation loans: Consolidation loans allow borrowers to combine multiple student loans into a single loan with a single monthly payment. This can make it easier to manage student loan debt and save money on interest.
- PSLF loans: PSLF is a federal program that forgives student loan debt for borrowers who work full-time for qualifying employers for 10 years.
- Teacher Loan Forgiveness loans: Teacher Loan Forgiveness is a federal program that forgives student loan debt for borrowers who teach full-time for five consecutive years in a Title I school or educational service agency.
How to make a payment to Nelnet
Online
- Log in to your Nelnet account.
- Click on the “Payments” tab.
- Enter the amount you want to pay and select your payment method.
- Click on the “Submit Payment” button.
By phone
- Call Nelnet’s customer service line at 1-888-486-4722.
- Follow the instructions to make a payment over the phone.
By mail
- Send a check or money order to the following address:
Nelnet P.O. Box 27071 Omaha, NE 68127
- Be sure to include your Nelnet account number on the check or money order.
Automatic payments
You can also set up automatic payments with Nelnet. This will ensure that your payments are made on time and in full each month. To set up automatic payments, log in to your Nelnet account and click on the “Payments” tab. Then, click on the “Automatic Payments” link and follow the instructions.
How to set up automatic payments with Nelnet
To set up automatic payments with Nelnet, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Nelnet account.
- Click on the “Payments” tab.
- Click on the “Automatic Payments” link.
- Select the bank account that you want to use to make your payments.
- Enter the amount that you want to pay each month and the date that you want your payments to start.
- Review your information and click on the “Submit” button.
Once you have set up automatic payments, Nelnet will automatically deduct your monthly payment from your bank account on the date that you specified. You will receive a confirmation email before each payment is processed. You can change or cancel your automatic payments at any time by logging in to your Nelnet account and clicking on the “Automatic Payments” link.
How to apply for forbearance or deferment with Nelnet
To apply for forbearance or deferment with Nelnet, you can either log in to your Nelnet account or call Nelnet customer service at 1-888-486-4722.
If you are applying online, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Nelnet account.
- Click on the “Forbearance and Deferment” tab.
- Select the type of forbearance or deferment that you are requesting.
- Complete the application and submit it.
If you are applying by phone, a Nelnet customer service representative will help you complete the application.
Here are some of the types of forbearance and deferment that you may be eligible for:
- Economic hardship forbearance: This type of forbearance is available to borrowers who are experiencing financial hardship due to job loss, medical bills, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- In-school deferment: This type of deferment is available to borrowers who are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school.
- Unemployment deferment: This type of deferment is available to borrowers who are unemployed and actively looking for work.
- Military deferment: This type of deferment is available to borrowers who are serving in the military.
How to consolidate your student loans with Nelnet
To apply online:
- Go to the Nelnet website and click on the “Consolidation” tab.
- Click on the “Apply Now” button.
- Enter your personal information and loan information.
- Review your application and submit it.
To apply by phone:
- Call Nelnet customer service at 1-888-486-4722.
- Tell the customer service representative that you would like to consolidate your student loans.
- Provide the customer service representative with your personal information and loan information.
- The customer service representative will help you complete the application process.
Once you have submitted your application, Nelnet will review it and determine if you are eligible for consolidation. If you are approved, Nelnet will pay off your existing loans and create a new consolidation loan for you. Your new consolidation loan will have a single monthly payment and a single interest rate.
There are a few benefits to consolidating your student loans:
- You can lower your monthly payment by combining multiple loans into a single loan.
- You can simplify your loan management by having only one loan to worry about.
- You may be eligible for a lower interest rate on your consolidation loan.
However, there are also a few things to keep in mind before consolidating your student loans:
- You may not be eligible for consolidation if you have certain types of loans, such as Perkins Loans or defaulted loans.
- You may no longer be eligible for certain loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, if you consolidate your loans.
- You may have to pay an origination fee on your consolidation loan.
Nelnet's customer service options
Nelnet offers a variety of customer service options to help borrowers manage their student loan debt. Here is an overview of the different ways to contact Nelnet customer service:
- Online: You can access Nelnet’s customer service resources online through its website and mobile app. You can log in to your Nelnet account to view your loan information, make payments, and send messages to customer service representatives.
- By phone: You can call Nelnet’s customer service line at 1-888-486-4722. Nelnet’s customer service hours are Monday-Friday from 8am to 9pm ET and Saturday-Sunday from 9am to 6pm ET.
- By mail: You can send a letter to Nelnet at the following address:
Nelnet P.O. Box 27071 Omaha, NE 68127
Nelnet also offers a variety of self-service tools and resources on its website to help borrowers manage their student loan debt. For example, borrowers can log in to their Nelnet account to view their loan balances, make payments, set up automatic payments, and apply for forbearance or deferment. Borrowers can also use Nelnet’s website to learn about repayment options, loan forgiveness programs, and other financial aid resources.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Nelnet student loans, I encourage you to contact Nelnet customer service. Nelnet’s customer service representatives are available to help you manage your debt and answer any questions you may have.
Tips for managing your student loan debt with Nelnet
- Make payments on time and in full each month. This is the best way to avoid late payments and fees, and to reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of your loan.
- Set up automatic payments. This will ensure that your payments are always made on time and in full, even if you are busy or forget.
- Consider consolidating your student loans. If you have multiple student loans, consolidating them into a single loan with a lower interest rate can save you money.
- Apply for forbearance or deferment if needed. If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for forbearance or deferment. This will temporarily suspend your loan payments, but interest will continue to accrue.
- Use Nelnet’s online tools and resources. Nelnet offers a variety of online tools and resources to help you manage your student loan debt. You can use Nelnet’s website to view your loan balances, make payments, set up automatic payments, and apply for forbearance or deferment. You can also use Nelnet’s website to learn about repayment options, loan forgiveness programs, and other financial aid resources.
- Contact Nelnet customer service for assistance. If you have any questions or concerns about your student loan debt, you can contact Nelnet customer service for assistance. Nelnet’s customer service representatives are available to help you manage your debt and answer any questions you may have.
Here are some additional tips for managing your student loan debt:
- Create a budget. This will help you track your income and expenses, and make sure that you are setting aside enough money to make your student loan payments.
- Live below your means. This means avoiding unnecessary debt and spending less than you earn. This will free up more money to make your student loan payments.
- Get a side hustle. If you need extra money to make your student loan payments, you could consider getting a side hustle. This could be anything from starting a blog to working part-time on weekends.
- Consider refinancing your student loans. If you have good credit, you may be able to refinance your student loans at a lower interest rate. This can save you money over the life of your loan.
Conclusion
Nelnet is a reputable student loan servicer that offers a variety of resources and support to borrowers. If you have Nelnet student loans, I encourage you to visit the Nelnet website to learn more about your loan options and to access helpful tools and resources.
Here are some of the key takeaways from this blog post:
- Nelnet is a student loan servicer that provides customer service and support to borrowers with federal and private student loans.
- Nelnet services a variety of student loans, including federal student loans, private student loans, consolidation loans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) loans, and Teacher Loan Forgiveness loans.
- There are a few different ways to make a payment to Nelnet, including online, by phone, and by mail.
- You can also set up automatic payments with Nelnet to ensure that your payments are always made on time and in full.
- If you are unable to make your student loan payments, you may be eligible for forbearance or deferment.
- You can consolidate your student loans with Nelnet to combine multiple loans into a single loan with a single monthly payment and a single interest rate.
- Nelnet offers a variety of customer service options to help borrowers manage their student loan debt, including online resources, phone support, and mail support.
- There are a number of tips for managing your student loan debt with Nelnet, such as making payments on time and in full, setting up automatic payments, considering consolidating your loans, and contacting Nelnet customer service for assistance.
FAQ's
If you work in public service (for example, for the government or a nonprofit organization), you may be eligible for loan forgiveness after making 120 qualifying payments while working full-time by specified public service companies.
Nelnet is a federal student loan servicer that works on behalf of the United States Department of Education, the government organization that provides student loans to you or your kid.
In the case of Nelnet, the largest shareholder is Michael Dunlap, who owns 24% of the company’s stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is the company’s second largest shareholder, owning 5.6% of the common shares, while The Magnolia Group, LLC owns around 5.1%.
The Department of Education is the lender. These are known as Direct Loans and are serviced by firms such as Nelnet.
