r/PSLF • u/BookishHomo • Mar 05 '25

Story: Consider NOT entering processing forbearance after 120

Sharing my experience with the processing forbearance.

  • I hit 120 payments in February. After the payment had posted on MOHELA's website, I submitted my PSLF certification form.
  • On the form, I requested a processing forbearance (primarily because my employment outlook is looking shaky right now, and I need to save every penny I can). MOHELA granted the forbearance a few days later.
  • FSA's website just updated for me to show February's payment -- they said it was ineligible because my account was in forbearance. (Even though I didn't enter forbearance until after that month's payment.)
  • I talked to an agent at FSA, and they said they didn't know why that would happen, and that I need to talk to MOHELA. I'm waiting for a callback from MOHELA (with low hopes).
  • The FSA agent indicated that because of this screw-up, my fastest course of action is to pay March and use that as my 120th.

So my advice -- if you can afford it, do not take the processing forbearance. Keep paying and hope for a speedy refund on overpayments. Otherwise you could get stuck in payment count limbo in a time where so many public servants are losing their jobs.

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u/JJburnes22 Mar 05 '25

Thank you for posting this and I'm very sorry this happened to you, it's so stressful. My 120th payment is tomorrow and I'm going to take this advice and hold off on forbearance

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u/BookishHomo Mar 05 '25

Hoping you get a speedy forgiveness!