Student Loan Relief for New Yorkers Affected by Hurricane Sandy - Disaster Counties Eligible for 90 Day Grace Period

Governor Cuomo has authorized New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) to grant temporary student loan relief to New Yorkers who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. If requested, New Yorkers in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland Suffolk and Westchester counties are now eligible to receive a 90 day grace period, from October 27th, 2012 to January 25th, 2013, in order to repay their student loan payments. All members of the military who have been called to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will also be eligible.

In addition to the suspension of collections efforts, other actions to assist impacted student loan borrowers will include the suspension or reversal of delinquency or default notifications made by HESC to credit reporting agencies, the suspension of referrals for administrative wage garnishment and the suspension of collections calls to federal student loan borrowers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are delinquent in their federal student loan payments.

Borrowers should contact HESC to request a temporary suspension by calling 1-866-991-HESC (4372) or by emailing Dept736@hesc.ny.gov. A specific option has been added to the toll free number for Sandy victims.

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