DFPI and Student Loans
The DFPI licenses and oversees student loan servicers in California and enforces key borrower protections, including the California Student Borrower Bill of Rights. These protections ensure that servicers give borrowers accurate information, handle payments and paperwork on time, limit certain fees, and avoid deceptive or abusive practices. The DFPI also accepts complaints from borrowers and can take action when companies violate the laws and regulations we administer.
California Student Borrower Bill of Rights: View a one-page summary of key protections for Californians with federal and private student loans.
Understand and Manage Your Loans
Find essential resources to help you understand and manage your student loans. Learn how to start repayment, find your loan servicer, explore repayment options, and review common student loan terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Our FAQ provides helpful answers about federal loans, repayment, private loans, and everything in between.
Video Resources
We partnered with student loan experts to create a series of videos that break down repayment options and other key topics. These videos help borrowers understand and manage their student loans with confidence.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Do you have federal student loans and work for a government agency or nonprofit organization? You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a federal program that forgives the remaining balance on eligible federal student loans after 120 qualifying payments. Learn about eligibility requirements, managing your progress, PSLF Buyback, and information for State of California employees.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Recent Borrower Alerts and Insights
Consumer Insights
Student Loan Borrowers: Important Student Loan Changes Effective July 1
The latest updates from our student loan expert, Celina Damian. Recent changes to the student loan system set limits on the amount parents and students can borrow for college.
Other Resources
- Loan Repayment Assistance Programs and Scholarships: Learn about loan repayment and scholarship programs for eligible California professionals and students, including opportunities in health care, behavioral health, and mental health. You can also find nationwide repayment assistance programs in law, and other fields.
- Additional State and Local Resources: Explore other state and local government programs and resources that can help students and families plan and pay for education, access financial aid and benefits, understand their rights, and find additional support.
- Legal Help: Locate legal aid and legal services organizations that provide free assistance to eligible borrowers. Contact your local legal aid organization to seek help with more complex student loan issues like default and private loan collections.
- NCLC Student Loan Toolkit: Use this guide from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) to better understand and manage your student loans, including federal and private loans, repayment and relief options, forgiveness and discharge, default and collections, and where to get additional help. The toolkit also includes fillable worksheets and checklists to help you organize your loan information and identify next steps.
Contact Us
Do you have questions about your student loan, repayment options, or eligibility for loan forgiveness? California’s Student Loan Servicing Ombudsperson, Celina Damian, is available to answer questions and share helpful resources.
We read and respond to every message. Please submit the form to get in touch.
To file a complaint against an institution or financial provider for potential legal violations or misconduct, please visit our complaint portal.
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