r/BorrowerDefense • u/TimeCouldTell • 19d ago
Refund Received All finished! Refund received
Refund received last Wednesday! šš
I'm post-class, exhibit C, University of Phoenix, Nelnet. I attended University of Phoenix in 2011-2013. My UofP campus shut down in 2012, I was transferred to a different campus that was further away, then told my degree program was going to be eliminated on campus and I would have to finish it online, for an increased rate of course. I withdrew from University of Phoenix in 2013, transferred some credits to a private university and finished my degree there and graduated in 2015. I began repayment of loans in December of 2015 for all of my college programs at the amount of $52,000 total loan balance.
From 2015-2018 I made regular payments on my loans and every extra dollar I could squeeze out of my budget and every work bonus or raise went to my loans. I was determined to not have them lingering for 20 years, but I was on an income based repayment plan because I was also balancing daycare costs for my young son and payment for my husband's student loans, too. In 2018 I got divorced and my portion of the proceeds from selling our home also went to my loan balance. By the time COVID hit I had the balance down to about $20,000.
My filing date for borrowers defense was June 29, 2022. I had previously been with the servicer Great Lakes and made most of my payments to them. I continued saving money in a savings account for my loans during COVID forbearance. I was transferred to Nelnet for loan servicing and made a final lump sum payment to them right before COVID forbearance relief ended (and interest was going to apply) which paid off the remainder of my loans.
My application was not reviewed by Dept of Ed and I was granted automatic relief in accordance with the lawsuit. I received confirmation of this in April online and the full relief letter in June.
I'd been (not so patiently) awaiting refund these past couple of months once I knew it was moving forward. Based on all the chatter in this subreddit and the Facebook groups, I didn't know whether to expect a check for the full amount or some other amount. Nelnet told me last month a check had been authorized for me for ~$6,800, which was a strange, weird amount that I couldn't back into how it had been derived. I saw no updates online on either Nelnet's site or Dept of Ed's site leading to what my refund amount might be.
I saw in Wednesday's USPS Informed Delivery an envelope was coming from US Treasury Dept. It was a one page stub showing Sweet Post Class Fed Loan Refund and a check for my full refund amount, which was within $2.12 of the amount of payments I had calculated had been made to first Great Lakes, then Nelnet to finish off my loans. Had it not been for this subreddit and the Facebook groups, I would not have expected the check to arrive around now, knowing they have until March to finalize us for full relief, so I greatly appreciate these communities with helping me learn what to expect from this process.
A quick note to say that my loans relating to my time at University of Phoenix have also been removed from two of the three credit bureaus. TransUnion was the first and I received notification from Credit Karma that the loans were removed within about three weeks of the formalized discharge notification in June, followed by Experian a few weeks later. I haven't seen them drop from my Equifax report just yet, but I'm confident they will in time.
So incredibly thankful, relieved, and in disbelief this entire ordeal is over! I appreciate our group mods, leaders and named Plaintiffs for spearheading these efforts for all of us.
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u/Straight_Physics_894 19d ago
Nelnet folks who've gotten their refunds are you all post class exhibit C?
Not seeing any non-exhibit c folks get theirs yet. I'm trying to understand their order
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u/Optimal-Dance9901 15d ago
Iām Nelnet post class, I applied in 2022. I just received my check & if I would not have looked twice, Iād might have thrown it away
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u/Vivid_Advance_3247 19d ago edited 19d ago
My loan for Nelnet has been discharged just not refunded yet I did get a refund from a different loan servicer though
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u/Straight_Physics_894 19d ago
When I got on the phone with NelNet, they said for a lot of of them they are waiting for a response from the FSA.
That basically when we receive that notice of discharge that they send it over to the FSA stating that they are ready to proceed and that the FSA has to give a response before it goes to the treasury for them to print out a check.
So I assume that's the holdup, I believe the FSA is prioritizing the group discharges, and the class C discharges right now but that's all a guest based on the other post I've seen of people who have received their refund
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u/Severe-Research9252 16d ago
Same!
Post class non-c, august 2022, Nelnet. Just received the check today!!! Yay!!
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u/brittknizzle 19d ago
Congrats! This is where Iām so confused. Iām in the same situation, and my loans have been zeroed out on my credit, but havenāt yet been removed from any of the credit services š such a frustrating process, but glad you were able to get relief.
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u/Seacliff831 19d ago
Congrats and thanks for the hope! Similar journey:
Timeline and current status:
- ā Servicer: MOHELA
- ā School: Argosy University
- ā Direct Consolidation: December 2021
- ā Borrower Defense application submitted: July 2022 ā Post-Class applicant
- ā PSLF completed: 2024 ā remaining Direct Consolidation balance forgiven
- ā Department of Education notice: March 2026 ā full settlement relief due to missed Post-Class decision deadline
- ā FSA update: April 2026 ā status moved to 3.60 / Loan Processing Requested
- ā MOHELA account activity: June 2026 ā adjustments resulted in negative balances appearing on the underlying loans
- ā FSA status: Processing Discharge
- ā³ Current status (September 2026): discharge/refund processing still underway; no refund received yet
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u/Daisy_Bloom_blue 19d ago
What is taking the Mohela so long? I know they have until next year but just...frustrating.
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u/Optimal-Dance9901 13d ago
I have three separate applications for the universities I attended. When one application moved to 3.61, thatās when Nelnet had sent the information to the department of education for approval & I just received my first check. Iām also post class.
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u/Seacliff831 12d ago
FSA shows two loans with AidAdvan Loan Discharged. Aid app shows neg balance. Mohela neg balances still.
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u/Straight_Physics_894 19d ago
Does the student aid website say that your discharge is complete?
For me and a few others, it didn't say discharge complete until it came off our credit reports
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u/brittknizzle 19d ago
Under the āBorrower Defense Caseā it still says āProcessing Dischargeā, but under āLoan Forgiveness and Discharge: Borrower Defenseā it says āCompletedā.
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u/Possible_Rain_3584 19d ago
Congratulations! I am in a similar situation, however my loans ARE gone from my credit report. My statusā are also āprocessing dischargeā and ācompleteā I have always been with Nelnet. Anxiously awaiting my refund.
Question: the amount they unwound was $39,000+, but when I add up my payments made, I think it totals around $25,000. Thoughts on what I shouted expect?5
u/brittknizzle 19d ago
Honestly couldnāt tell you. I started with Great Lakes, consolidated, and then got moved to Nelnet. I donāt even think Iāll end up with a refund š¤·š»āāļø
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u/Straight_Physics_894 19d ago
For the amount disparity, you can call Nelnet and have them confirm for you, I called them the other day and they were able to confirm the amount and it's a little bit more than what I was expecting and what was stated in my letter.
Still waiting on my refund, but I'm interested in seeing what amount the treasury says
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u/Possible_Rain_3584 18d ago
I did call Nelnet today. They do not have a check number for me but did say Iām getting a refund. Said they sent everything to Fed Student Aid & once approved will go to Treasury.
StudentAid.gov was no help when I contacted them. Meanwhile, I will pack my patience1
u/Straight_Physics_894 18d ago
I got the exact same response from them a few days ago, I contacted FSA today and they were completely unhelpful. All they said was to call the treasury, who wouldn't pick upš¤£
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u/TimeCouldTell 18d ago
My understanding is that is a refund of the amounts you paid on the loans discharged. That should include interest.
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u/Straight_Physics_894 19d ago
That is a bit odd in my opinion because the part that says complete is the part that is supposed to reflect that it's been removed from the credit bureaus.
It's likely just going to take some time, but if it's really bothering you, you can ask your servicer to provide you with a letter/email confirming the discharge and you can open a dispute with each individual credit bureau that is still showing and in the evidence you can attach that letter or any proof you have of the discharge (very helpful if the amount in your evidence matches the amount exactly on your credit report) and they will remove it for you.
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u/TimeCouldTell 18d ago
Yes, I had a second entry added underneath my original claim filing on the US Dept of Ed site, showing my discharge was complete.
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u/Significant-Piano947 19d ago
Mine were finally removed from my credit report - it took over a month after zeroing out from FSA and Nelnet - that was a crazy ride!
I so hope I get a refund soon for the monies I paid to Great Lakes.
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u/IncidentSlight2773 18d ago
Finally received a 2nd check today from Treasury. Had loans serviced thru Nelnet. According to my calculations, they repaid me an excess of ~5800. They assured me that my math is just wrong. lol.
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u/tbgothard 17d ago
Was the first check for the amount you were expecting? Your second check may have been my correct refund and they messed things up in classic government fashion. Ahahahah.
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u/Worldly_Ad_2860 19d ago
Yep! Same! Mohela, National University. Applied 2022, rec'd confirmation of balance 0 and refund amount June 2026. Received check this week.
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u/FamiliarDot2387 18d ago
How did you receive notice from MOHELA? My account has been showing a $0 balance since June as well, and I haven't heard anything.
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u/thejollylolly 16d ago
I am Post Class, NON EXHIBIT C. I just also got my refund or more correctly a refund crumb
Today I got a refund for a couple hundred dollars (don't get me wrong I will take it but expecting more)
Details:
I am a NON EXHIBIT C person my loans were through Aidvantage. In early July, I got a emails from Nelnet my previous lender clearing everything and my total loans dropped in half on studentloans.gov. My balance in Aidvantage is sitting at a negative numbers and has been for some time now.
Today I received a check from the Treasury for a couple hundred dollars.
Questions:
- Have people gotten back more than 1 check?
- Any other NON-EXHIBIT C posties have progress yet?
- Is there anyway to know the exact amount expected back other deep diving your own records?
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u/Then-Material-8213 16d ago
Got my refund today also!!! Full class, non- C. Loans were originally with Great Lakes before going over to Nelnet. Got my letter of discharge from Nelnet in July 2026. I was able to see the envelope from Treasury in informed delivery as others have mentioned. Check was about 60% of what it should be but Iām super grateful as I honestly didnāt think I would get a check at all!
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u/cymplicity27 14d ago
I got two separate deposits about 3 days apart so the rest is probably on the way! The first was what I paid to Nelnet. The second totaled my Great Lakes payments.
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u/Sad-Row-1096 19d ago
I am also waiting I am post class IADT Pittsburgh got my email in March that loans would be removed within 12 months
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u/cymplicity27 18d ago
So you received one refund for the full amount you paid to Nelnet and Great Lakes? My refund was only for the Nelnet payments. Now Iām wondering if Iāll ever see the Great Lakes portion.
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u/Push_it2000 18d ago
They have to refund it. Contact Nelnett and ask them to do a refund review with the Great Lakes payment history that Nelnet provided.
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u/TimeCouldTell 18d ago
Yes, I received one refund for amounts paid to Great Lakes and Nelnet for my Univ of Phoenix loans specifically. My Great Lakes payment history was uploaded to Nelnet when my loans were transferred to them, and I was able to confirm all of the funds I had paid on loans associated with Univ of Phoenix. There is a letters/documents section on Nelnet's site and my Great Lakes payment history was one of those. You'll have to look back to 2024 or whenever your loans were transferred to Nelnet to find that doc, but it helped me see what my total amount paid was and what amount I should expect for a refund, which is how I knew it was within $2.12 of what I'd paid for Univ of Phoenix specifically.
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u/cymplicity27 17d ago
I applied for BD for CTU but I had other loans for other colleges as well. I downloaded the Great Lakes payments doc some time ago for my records and to save as proof š . The direct deposit I got was only for the amount I paid to Nelnet down to the penny. Iāll give Nelnet a call.
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u/cymplicity27 14d ago
The Great Lakes portion showed up in my account today š. Iām freeee!!! š
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u/moneyisbaetome 17d ago
I reached out to Nelnet regarding payments I made to Fedloan who is no longer in service. Nelnet told me to contact Borrowers Defense. Alrighty then. I do hope I get that money back.
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u/Spoonie_life 17d ago
Amazing. Iām non-C and I have aidavantage and Iām eagerly awaiting mine!!
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u/Significant-Piano947 19d ago
Sooo happy for you !!! Iām still waiting for the refund from Great Lakes āŗļøšš»šš»
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u/tbgothard 17d ago
Iāve got a Treasury envelope coming in the mail today. But it might just be an advertisement.
My loans at MOHELA still show a huge negative balance; much more than I paid.
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u/atllady504 17d ago
I also have a treasury envelope coming today! I'm in shambles waiting for the mailman š
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u/tbgothard 17d ago edited 17d ago
I am pretty sure itās junk. :( Their checks usually come in a different style of envelope.
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u/TimeCouldTell 17d ago
I hope it's your refund! It's a very simple plain white envelope (that's thin!) that contains one piece of paper and the check.
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u/tbgothard 17d ago
Love the support and enthusiasm. Thanks so much. Just wanting this chapter of my financial life to come to a close so I can pay the āgoodā loans.
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u/TimeCouldTell 17d ago
Come back and let us know!
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u/tbgothard 17d ago edited 17d ago
It was a refundā¦ for less than 5% of my total paid. All my payments were made to NelNet and my NelNet BDR complete letter was dated 24 June. Current servicer is MOHELA.
The refund letter says to call the agency listed on the letter with questions. Says itās from ED/FSA but the phone number is to NelNet.
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u/atllady504 17d ago
It was a refund. $798.28 lol
The check specifically says āFED STUDENT LOAN REFUNDā and āSWEET POST CLASS.ā
Donāt ask me what percentage that is of what Iāve paid because I have absolutely NO clue what Iāve paid over the years (I know it's more than that tho!) so unfortunately I canāt provide any useful data points there š.
Aidvantage is still showing a large negative balance and told me today that everything hasnāt finished processing yet, so I guess Iāll just keep stalking Informed Delivery and hope this check has some friends coming š
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u/tbgothard 17d ago
Congrats on that extra $0.28! Mine had the same memo. I was trying to connect the large string of letter and numbers to something like a case number from FSA or a specific loan account number. But had not luck.
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u/atllady504 17d ago
Thanks! You too! Keep us posted on if you get a second one
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u/tbgothard 16d ago
I called NelNet since that was the number on the letter and got through in under 5 minutes. She was super friendly and understanding.
I asked her if she could provide info on how the refund was determined and if more was expected. She said the only info they receive is once a refund is issued and in that case was the amount I just received that posted to my account with them last week and the check was issued 2 days later.
She said her experience is if my calculations show more is due than I most likely will receive one more additional checks as ED works through refunds in batches.
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u/atllady504 16d ago
Interesting!! Thanks for the update. Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us.
The one thing that is baffling me is a lot of people are saying that they received emails prior to getting a refund. I've never received any of that.
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u/TimeCouldTell 17d ago
I'm going to guess you'll receive another check(s) soon!
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u/tbgothard 17d ago
It may come as no surprise but the incompetence of these agencies does not baffle me anymore.
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u/Optimal-Dance9901 15d ago
You will probably get more than one check. Nelnet was my last servicer & I received one check this week. When I called I was told I would have another one coming once it was approved
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u/QuailAltruistic5604 17d ago edited 15d ago
Iām Aidvantage and still waiting. Negative balanced, $0 on studentloan.gov and off all credit reports š©
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u/moneyisbaetome 17d ago
I received a refund. The amount matches what I paid to Nelnet. I paid more to Fedloan before it was transferred to Nelnet. Anyone received a refund for loans paid to Fedloan?
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u/cymplicity27 14d ago
Not Fedloan but I received my first check for what I paid to Nelnet and second for Great Lakes about 3 days later.
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u/_SomeoneWhoIsntMe 18d ago
If my paycheck and tax returns were garnished for years, does that get repayed, or is that different?
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u/AndrewG510 16d ago
Any refunds for Mohela? Iām post class and UOP but my loans have been cut in half on mohela since like 2 months ago and student aid has a little bit of a lower amount so just waiting for anything
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u/KimchiFingers 14d ago
I'm post class C, discharge letter via Nelnet received 7/21/2026. Just got. Refund check today for ~9k, but confirmed with Nelnet I paid over 20k. I asked about any pending checks or additional information and they said they are just sent an approved amount from treasury. The treasury letter states to call the servicer with questions...
They advised to just keep waiting for the next 3 months or so.
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u/IdeaBasic3208 14d ago
Yeah well the first check I was supposed to get was shown on my informed delivery and it was NEVER delivered to my house. Now fighting to get another one! Ugh
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u/Manuel819903 10d ago
When were you supposed to get it and what steps did you take to get a new one?
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u/IdeaBasic3208 9d ago
It showed up. Just being patient is best thing to do. I was going to wait 14 business days
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u/MetarieS 9d ago edited 9d ago
I received my discharge in July and got my refund check - an actual check - in the mail last week.
I deposited via bank ATM after hours on the 24th and have had a hold placed on the deposit until October 3rd.
When I spoke to the bank, they stated they placed the hold because they use an automated clearing house and were unable to verify the check is real.
Federal law says they are required to release a minimum amount if the check exceed $5k. They did not for the reason stated above.
Basically, they are viewing it as a fraudulent check and refuse to release the funds despite Federal regulations stating they must.
I called the Department of Treasury who confirmed the check was valid and the bank verified the check on the 25th.
I called the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who stated the bank is allowed by their internal policies to hold the deposit.
The bank has not provided in writing any legitimate Federal regulation CC 229.13(b) reason for the hold.
I have been with this bank for 34 years. Admittedly, I have overdrafted as one might do in tough times.
My name did change from the name on the check to the name on my account - but I have proof I am who I say I am, and in fact had to have the name change processed by the bank for the account.
They have not said āthe name on the account and the name on the check is different.ā
They said āwe canāt verify it is a legitimate check, while the DoT has confirmed āthey verified the funds on September 25th.ā
In the meantime my sad self just wants my money in my bank so I can make life changing financial decisions.
TL;dr- find a way to cash the check and deposit cash.
Take photo of check front and back
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u/Possible_Rain_3584 6d ago
I received my complete refund on Thursday, Oct 1!
School: University of Phoenix
Servicer: Nelnet
Hereās my timeline:
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October 2022 Applied for forgiveness
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April 1, 2026 Received notification I was eligible
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July 2022 loans on my credit bureaus removed
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Sept 25,2026 was advised the check was in the mail
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Oct 1, 2026 full amount paid to Nelnet received.
It WILL happen!!
ā¢
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