Private Student Loans Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers about private student loan default, collections, debt validation, and what PSLA Center does. No sales pitch.

✅ 99% Success Rate ⭐ BBB A+ Rated 🕐 Original Program Since 2012

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Disclaimer: We do not provide debt settlement, debt management, or debt relief services, nor do we provide any credit services, credit repair, or offers relating to credit, banking products and services, or any financial planning and management services. We are not a lender and do not give loans. We only assist with private student loans — not federal loans.

Or call us directly: (858) 799-0381

About PSLA Center

What is private student loan debt validation?

Private student loan debt validation is a legal process under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that requires a collection agency to prove it has a complete, documented legal right to collect on your specific debt. PSLA Center pioneered this program specifically for private student loan debt in 2012 — before any other organization was applying this process to private student loans. If a collection agency cannot provide adequate proof, the debt can be legally invalidated. PSLA Center has a 99% success rate over 13+ years.

How long has PSLA Center been operating?

PSLA Center was founded in 2015. The debt validation program for private student loans was pioneered in 2012 — making PSLA Center the original and longest-operating organization applying debt validation specifically to private student loan debt. No other organization was helping private student loan borrowers with this process before we developed it.

What is PSLA Center's success rate?

PSLA Center has a 99% success rate. Success means one thing: no one can ever legally force that client to pay a single penny on that private student loan debt again. Not a reduced balance. Not a payment plan. Complete legal invalidation of the collection agency's right to collect.

What is PSLA Center's refund policy?

If a collection agency is able to validate the debt during our process, the client receives a full refund of what they paid to that point — no questions asked. In over 12 years of operating PSLA Center, that refund has been needed extremely rarely.

Does PSLA Center serve borrowers nationwide?

Yes. PSLA Center serves private student loan borrowers in all 50 states. The debt validation program is based on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act — a federal consumer protection law that applies nationwide. Private student loans only — not federal.

Qualifying for the Program

Does PSLA Center handle federal student loans?

No — private student loans only. Federal and private student loans operate under completely different laws with completely different options. If you have federal loans, contact the Department of Education at studentaid.gov or call 1-800-4-FED-AID. Not sure which type you have? Call us at (858) 799-0381 and we can tell you within minutes.

How do I know if my student loans are private or federal?

Log into studentaid.gov with your FSA ID. If your loans appear there, they are federal. If they do not appear, they are private. If your servicer is Navient, Sallie Mae, AES, MOHELA, Firstmark, Wells Fargo, or Discover and the loans do not appear on studentaid.gov — they are private. Not sure? Call us at (858) 799-0381.

What is the minimum loan amount to qualify?

PSLA Center works with borrowers who have a minimum of $15,000 in private student loan debt. There is no maximum.

Does my loan need to be in default to qualify?

No. PSLA Center helps borrowers who are behind on payments, in default, or already in collections. The earlier you call, the more options you typically have.

What lenders does PSLA Center work with?

We have experience with every major private student loan lender and servicer including Navient, Sallie Mae, AES, MOHELA (private loans), Firstmark Services, Wells Fargo, Discover Student Loans, KeyBank, Citizens Bank, College Ave, and many others. If you are not sure whether your lender qualifies, call us and we will tell you immediately.

About Navient, Sallie Mae and MOHELA

Are Navient and Sallie Mae the same company?

Yes. Navient was created out of Sallie Mae after Sallie Mae repeatedly violated Department of Education regulations — including deliberately confusing borrowers about whether they had private or federal loans. After paying over $100 million in fines, they were required to separate operations. Navient was the result. Both Navient and Sallie Mae now deal exclusively in private student loans after losing their federal servicing contracts.

My loan shows MOHELA as servicer but Navient as lender — is it private?

Yes. Navient still owns the loan and has simply outsourced the day-to-day servicing to MOHELA. It is still a Navient private student loan. PSLA Center works with borrowers in exactly this situation. Call (858) 799-0381 to confirm.

Does Navient still service federal loans?

No. Navient lost its federal student loan servicing contracts. If you have a loan with Navient today it is a private student loan. PSLA Center can help with Navient private student loan debt in default or collections.

Default, Collections and Your Rights

What happens when a private student loan goes into default?

After 90-120 days of missed payments, the lender declares default, accelerates the full balance, reports to credit bureaus, and typically sends the debt to a collection agency. Unlike federal loans, there is no rehabilitation program. PSLA Center helps borrowers before default, in default, and in collections. Read our full guide →

Can a collection agency garnish my wages for a private student loan?

Not without first filing a lawsuit and winning a court judgment. Unlike federal loans, private lenders cannot touch your wages without going through the court system first. This gives you time to act. Call PSLA Center before that happens.

What is the statute of limitations on private student loan debt?

It varies by state — typically 3 to 10 years from last payment. Once expired, a collection agency cannot successfully sue you. However, making even a small payment can restart the clock in many states. Never pay without calling us first. See our state-by-state guide →

Should I make a payment on my defaulted private student loan?

Not before calling PSLA Center. Even a small payment can reset the statute of limitations in many states. Collection agencies sometimes pressure borrowers into token payments specifically for this reason. The consultation is free — call us first at (858) 799-0381.

Is there a rehabilitation program for private student loans?

No. Federal loans have a rehabilitation program — 9 payments removes the default. Private student loans have no equivalent. PSLA Center's debt validation program is the most effective legal option for private loan borrowers in default.

What should I do if I receive a lawsuit for a private student loan?

Call PSLA Center immediately at (858) 799-0381. Do not ignore a lawsuit — ignoring it results in a default judgment which gives the collector the ability to garnish wages. PSLA Center has extensive knowledge of how to respond to private student loan lawsuits and how to win them.

Forgiveness, Bankruptcy and Settlement

Can private student loans be forgiven?

No federal forgiveness programs apply to private student loans — not PSLF, not income-driven repayment forgiveness, not Teacher Loan Forgiveness, not any government program. Private student loan debt can be legally invalidated through PSLA Center's debt validation program — but that is a legal process, not government forgiveness. Learn more →

Does PSLF apply to private student loans?

No. Public Service Loan Forgiveness applies only to federal Direct Loans. Private student loans are not eligible regardless of your employer or years of service.

Can private student loans be discharged in bankruptcy?

Extremely rarely. Discharging private student loan debt in bankruptcy requires proving undue hardship — courts apply this standard very narrowly. In most cases private student loans survive bankruptcy. You take the 7-10 year credit damage and still owe the debt. Read the full breakdown →

Is debt validation the same as debt settlement?

No — they are completely different. Debt settlement tries to negotiate a reduced payment. It rarely works for private student loans because lenders generally do not settle. Debt validation challenges the collection agency's legal right to collect at all. PSLA Center uses debt validation — not settlement — with a 99% success rate since 2012.

Disclaimer: We do not provide debt settlement, debt management, or debt relief services, nor do we provide any credit services, credit repair, or offers relating to credit, banking products and services, or any financial planning and management services. We are not a lender and do not give loans. Private student loans only — not federal.

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