Why Checking Your Loan Servicer Matters in 2026
- John Hine
- 17 minutes ago
- 2 min read
With ongoing changes across the federal student loan system, one of the simplest yet most overlooked steps borrowers can take is confirming who currently services their loans. Servicing transfers have become increasingly common over the last two years, especially with major updates to repayment programs and account adjustments.
But many borrowers only discover their servicer has changed after a missed payment, a delayed update, or an unexpected notice. Staying ahead of these changes can protect you from confusion, delinquency, and unnecessary stress.
Why Servicer Changes Happen
The Department of Education periodically shifts accounts between servicers to improve system performance, reduce costs, or rebalance workloads. With millions of borrowers in repayment and major updates like the IDR Account Adjustment, these transitions have accelerated.
As a result, borrowers who haven’t checked their account in a while may now have a new servicer without realizing it.
Why This Is Important
A servicer change can impact:
Where you send your payments
How your IDR plan or recertification is processed
How quickly forgiveness adjustments are applied
What information shows up in your online account
If you miss a servicer notification, you could unintentionally miss payments or overlook required documents, both of which can cause delinquency.
How to Stay Informed
Checking your servicer only takes a moment and ensures your account stays in good standing.
Here’s what to do:
Log in to your Federal Student Aid (FSA) account at StudentAid.gov.
Confirm the current servicer listed on your dashboard.
Make sure your contact information is up to date so you don't miss transfer notices.
If your servicer recently changed, set up your new online account as soon as possible.
Staying proactive can help you avoid unnecessary issues and ensure your repayment plan, forgiveness progress, and account adjustments continue without interruption.
If you feel uncertain about your loan status, repayment options, or ability to stay on track, let the expert team at Smart Loan Aid support you. They’ll walk you through where you stand, what your choices are, and the next best step tailored to your situation.
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