Updated: December 8, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Student loan servicers are third-party companies who handle loan payments and answer borrower questions.
- There are seven companies who service federal student loans.
- You can switch loan servicers through consolidation, pursuing loan forgiveness, or through student loan refinancing.
When your student loans enter repayment, your lender will send your account to a loan servicer, a third-party company responsible for managing your loans. The loan servicer is who handles your payments, answers questions you may have, and completes any administrative tasks, such as changing your repayment plan.
You may find that customer service levels vary by loan servicer, so you may be wondering if you can change loan servicers. You typically cannot choose a loan servicer, but there are a limited number of ways to switch to a new servicer.
What Is a Student Loan Servicer?
Your loan servicer is different from your lender. The lender is who reviews your loan application, determines your eligibility for a loan, and disburses loan funds. After the loan is issued, the account is usually sent to a loan servicer, a separate company.
The loan servicer is who you contact for day-to-day questions or issues with your loans, such as the following:
- Current loan balance
- Monthly payments
- Autopay
- Student loan repayment plans, including income-driven repayment (IDR) plans
- Forbearance or deferment requests
- Loan forgiveness programs
- Payment history
Who your loan servicer will depend on whether you have federal or private loans.
Federal Student Loans
Three major student loan servicing companies did not renew their contracts with the Department of EWith federal student loans, the U.S. Department of Education is the lender, but it contracts with other companies for loan management. As of 2025, there are seven companies who act as federal student loan servicers:
- Aidvantage
- CRI
- ECSI
- Edfinancial
- Default Resolution Group
- Mohela
- Nelnet
You can create an online account to view your loan information, or you can call or email customer support for help.
If you have multiple federal student loans, you may have multiple loan servicers, too. To find out who your loan servicer is, visit your account dashboard or call the Federal Student Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Private Student Loans
Private student loan lenders may service their own loans, or they may partner with third-party companies to handle loan management. Common private student loan servicers include:
- FirstMark Services
- Goal Solutions
- Navient
- Mohela
Review your loan documents to find out who your loan servicer is. Or, if you cannot access your loan agreement, you can find your loan servicer by reviewing your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Can You Change Student Loan Servicers?
Your lender will assign a loan servicer to your account; student loan borrowers cannot choose a loan servicer yourself. However, there are a few ways your loan servicer can change:
1. Your Loans Are Transferred
Student loan servicer contracts can end. If that happens, your loans will be transferred to another loan servicer. Make sure to keep your contact information up-to-date with your account so that your loan servicer can contact you if there are any changes so you don’t miss news about loan transfers or servicer changes.
2. You Apply for Loan Forgiveness
If you intend to apply for a student loan forgiveness program like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), you must notify your loan servicer. The company will transfer your loans to Mohela, the designated loan forgiveness servicer.
3. You Apply for Direct Consolidation
Consolidation is a way to combine your federal student loans into one, and it can give you access to other payment options. When you consolidate your loans with a Direct Consolidation Loan, your loans may end up assigned to another loan servicer.
You can consolidate your loans online through StudentAid.gov.
4. You Apply for Total & Permanent Disability Discharge (TPDD)
If you intend to apply for TPDD, your loans will be assigned to Nelnet. Nelnet is the designated loan servicer for TPDD accounts.
5. You Refinance Your Loans
If you don’t qualify for the other options or have private student loans, another way to switch your loan servicer is to refinance your loans. When you refinance your debt, you’ll replace your existing loans with new ones with different interest rates and terms. Plus, the lender will assign you to its own loan servicer, so you may get a new company.
[Tip: Student loan refinancing can be an effective way to manage your student debt. Plus, you may be eligible for a lower interest rate. View your loan options without affecting your credit score with the Check My Rate tool.]
FAQs
I don’t like my loan servicer; can I switch?
You cannot switch loan servicers unless you’re consolidating your loans, applying for forgiveness or discharge, or refinancing your debt. If you have trouble with your loan servicer, contact the Student Loan Ombudsman for help.
Will switching loan servicers affect my credit?
No, switching loan servicers doesn’t affect your credit since you aren’t taking out a new loan. The only time switching services will impact your credit score is if you refinance your loans since the lender will perform a hard credit check.
Can I switch loan servicers by refinancing my loans?
Yes, when you refinance your student loans, you’ll be assigned to a new loan servicer. However, you cannot choose your own servicer; the lender will assign you to its contracted partner.
