Aidvantage Student Loans: Repayment Options, Forgiveness & Support

Updated on November 14, 2024

Quick Facts

  • Aidvantage is a federal loan servicer that took over many accounts from Navient. You can verify your loan servicer by logging into your Federal Student Aid account.

  • Federal repayment plans, including Income-Driven Repayment options, are available in Aidvantage to help lower monthly payments based on your income and family size.

  • Student loans managed by Aidvantage may qualify for forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and IDR forgiveness. You can contact their support team to ensure you’re on track with the right repayment plan and forgiveness eligibility.

Overview

Aidvantage may be unfamiliar to many student loan borrowers, particularly if your loans recently transferred from Navient or you’re entering repayment for the first time. This guide covers everything you need to know to manage your loans with Aidvantage confidently.

You’ll learn about:

  • Confirming Aidvantage as your loan servicer

  • Federal repayment plans that fit your income and financial needs

  • Available forgiveness programs

  • Steps to log in, update information, and troubleshoot login issues

Our goal is to make managing your student loans with Aidvantage as clear and stress-free as possible. So, take your time to read through each section carefully, and use this guide as a resource every step of the way.

Related: What Happened to FedLoan Servicing?

What is Aidvantage, Why Are They Handling My Loans, and Are They Legit?

Aidvantage is a legitimate federal student loan servicer, officially contracted by the U.S. Department of Education to manage federal student loans.

Your loans may be serviced by Aidvantage if:

  • Your loans were previously with Navient (who transferred accounts to Aidvantage in 2022)

  • You recently consolidated your federal loans

  • You completed the Fresh Start Program to get out of default

  • Your previous servicer ended their federal contract

Think of Aidvantage as your loan manager – they don’t own your loans, but they handle all the day-to-day operations:

  • Processing your payments

  • Setting up repayment plans

  • Supporting loan forgiveness programs

  • Tracking your progress toward forgiveness

  • Helping with student loan repayment issues

Not sure if Aidvantage is your servicer? You can verify this for free by:

  • Logging into StudentAid.gov to check your loan servicer

  • Calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-433-3243)

Important: As your federal loan servicer, Aidvantage provides all services free of charge. They will never ask you to pay fees to access federal programs or process your loans. Only use the official website of Federal Student Aid to avoid scams.

If your loans moved from Navient, you can learn more about this transition in our guide on Who Took Over Navient Student Loans.

Aidvantage Loans and Forgiveness Programs

Aidvantage federal student loans are eligible for forgiveness through several programs. Policy changes may occur with future administrations, but the Education Department is actively processing current forgiveness benefits.

Available debt relief programs:

Remember: Aidvantage doesn’t determine your eligibility for these programs—it simply helps process your applications and track your progress. The U.S. Department of Education sets the rules and requirements.

Related

Aidvantage Repayment Options

Aidvantage offers several federal repayment plans to fit different financial situations. Here’s a quick look at each option, so you can find the one that’s best for you.

  • 10-Year Standard Plan: The Standard Repayment Plan has fixed monthly payments over a decade. It’s a great option if you’re aiming to pay off your loan quickly without dragging it out. If you’ve got a stable income and want to be debt-free sooner, this one’s for you.

  • 25-Year Extended Plan: The Extended Repayment Plan stretches your payments over up to 25 years, lowering your monthly student loan payments. It’s helpful if you need more manageable payments but don’t qualify for an IDR plan.

  • Increase Every 2 Years Graduated Plan: The Graduated Repayment Plan begins with lower payments that gradually increase every two years. It is designed for borrowers who expect their income to grow. While it can make payments manageable upfront, it results in higher overall interest costs in the long run.

Related

Income-Driven Repayment Plans

Income-Driven Repayment Plans are structured to make monthly payments more affordable based primarily on your income and family size—not your loan balance.

Think of IDR plans as a “citrus family”; just as there are different types of citrus fruits, several IDR plans work slightly differently but share the same core goal: to keep payments manageable for borrowers.

Here’s an overview of the main IDR options:

  • SAVE Plan: The SAVE Plan replaced REPAYE as the newest income-driven option, offers low payments based on income, and is ideal for lower-income borrowers who need flexibility. Due to ongoing litigation, many borrowers are in forbearance, with payments paused until at least February 2025. During this time, loan payments won’t be reported to credit bureaus, which can be helpful if you’re unable to pay.

  • Income-Based Repayment (IBR): IBR calculates your payment as a set percentage of your income and is available for both recent and older borrowers. It’s often a fit if you’re ineligible for SAVE but need the benefits of an income-based plan. Like other IDR plans, IBR allows borrowers to sign up for auto-pay, which can simplify monthly payments and help avoid missed payment issues that could affect your credit.

  • Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR): ICR offers slightly higher payments than other IDR plans but is available to Parent PLUS borrowers who consolidate. It’s a useful option for those needing income-driven payments but ineligible for SAVE or IBR. As with other IDR options, Aidvantage can guide you through enrollment and help you keep your payments manageable.

Each of these plans offers flexibility by aligning payment amounts with your earnings, giving you options to adjust as your financial situation changes.

Aidvantage can help you explore the best plan for your circumstances and assist with enrollment, setting up auto-pay, and understanding how each plan affects your interest rate and credit reporting.

What’s Going On with the SAVE Plan?

If you’re enrolled in the SAVE Plan or have applied for an Income-Driven Repayment Plan like SAVE, you may have noticed your account is in forbearance. Here’s what’s happening and what it means for your payments:

  • For Those Already Enrolled in the SAVE Plan: Right now, if you’re on the SAVE Plan, you might be in an automatic forbearance due to ongoing litigation. This means your payments are temporarily paused, and no payments are required until at least February 2025. This forbearance is designed to provide a temporary hold while legal issues are worked out, so you won’t need to make payments in the meantime.

  • For Those with Pending Applications for SAVE or Other IDR Plans: If you’ve applied for an IDR plan but haven’t been enrolled yet, your account may be in what’s called an “administrative forbearance.” These forbearances can be renewed every 60 days, effectively putting your payments on hold while Aidvantage processes applications. Unfortunately, this may mean delays due to the backlog, and it could take a few months to get through all pending applications.

  • What This Means for Changing Plans: The current forbearance policies make it tricky to switch plans right now. Aidvantage, like other servicers, is following federal guidelines during this litigation, so adjusting your plan may not be an option until the legal situation is resolved.

If you’re seeing “forbearance” on your account and didn’t request it, know that this is a temporary hold to prevent payments while your application is processed or the SAVE Plan litigation is ongoing.

For more specific questions, logging into your Aidvantage account or reaching out to customer service can help you stay up to date.

Aidvantage Login and Account Access

If you’re having trouble accessing your Aidvantage account, here’s a quick guide to help you log in smoothly and troubleshoot common issues:

  1. How to Log In: Go to Aidvantage.studentaid.gov to access your account. Unlike the Federal Student Aid (FSA) portal, Aidvantage requires a unique login created specifically for your Aidvantage account. If you haven’t set up an account yet, follow the prompts on the login page to create one.

  2. Forgot Your Aidvantage Username or Password? If you’ve forgotten your login details, Aidvantage provides options to reset your username or password directly on the login page. Just click “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password” and follow the instructions. Make sure you have access to the email address or phone number you used when you set up the account, as this will be needed for verification.

  3. Troubleshooting Common Login Issues: If your loan account is locked due to multiple incorrect login attempts, Aidvantage typically unlocks it after a short wait, or you can reset your password; for technical issues, try clearing your browser cache, switching browsers, or contacting Aidvantage’s support team for further assistance.

  4. Updating Your Contact Information: Once logged in, you can update your email, phone number, and mailing address under account settings. Keeping this information current ensures you receive important notifications about your loans.

Aidvantage Loan Interest Rates

Your federal student loan interest rates are set by the Department of Education, not by Aidvantage. These rates were fixed when you first borrowed the loans.

To find your interest rates:

  • Log into your Aidvantage account

  • Go to “Loan Details” or view individual loan information

  • Check your most recent billing statement

  • Log into StudentAid.gov to see your complete loan history

Note: If you see 0% interest rates in your account, this might be because:

  • Your loans were part of the COVID-19 payment pause (which set rates to 0%)

  • You’re viewing your account during a special interest benefit period

  • Your loans are in a temporary forbearance or deferment

Your actual interest rates will resume when any temporary benefits end. You can always find your original loan rates by checking your loan documents or StudentAid.gov.

How to Find Your Aidvantage Account Number

Your 10-digit Aidvantage account number appears in several places:

  • At the top of your monthly statements

  • On your account dashboard, after logging in

  • In the top corner of any letters from Aidvantage

  • In your welcome email, when your loans were transferred to Aidvantage

Can’t find your account number? You can also use your Social Security number when contacting Aidvantage for support.

How Aidvantage Reports to Credit Bureaus

Aidvantage monthly reports your federal student loan status to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). Here’s what you should know:

Regular Reporting

  • Your payment status is updated monthly

  • On-time payments help build a positive credit history

  • Your loan balances and payment amounts are reported

  • Any deferments or forbearances are included

Late Payments

  • Missed payments aren’t reported as negative until you’re 90 days past due

  • After 90 days, late payments can significantly impact your credit score

  • If you’re struggling to make payments, contact Aidvantage to explore options like IDR plans, forbearance, and deferment before reaching this point

Having trouble with your credit report? You can dispute any incorrect information by contacting Aidvantage’s Credit Bureau Management team by mail or email. Make sure to provide documentation to support your dispute.

How to Contact Aidvantage

If you need help with your student loan debts, Aidvantage provides several ways to get in touch. Calling is often the quickest way to get assistance, but you can also reach Aidvantage by mail, email, or through their self-service tools.

Phone Support

The primary Aidvantage phone number is 800-722-1300 (TDD/TTY users can dial 711).

For international calls, use 001-317-806-0580.

Phone support hours:

  • Monday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tips for Faster Service: When prompted, describe your reason for calling (e.g., “make a payment” or “password help”) to reach the right support area.

Make sure to have your Social Security number or 10-digit Aidvantage account number ready for identity verification.

Need help outside these hours? The self-service options are available 24/7 for quick tasks like checking your balance or resetting your password. You can also receive texts with important information, such as payment confirmations and current balances.

Mailing Addresses

If you need to mail Aidvantage directly, use these addresses:

  • Loan Payments:
    Aidvantage – Federal Student Aid Loan Servicing
    P.O. Box 4450
    Portland, OR 97208-4450

  • General Correspondence:
    Aidvantage – Federal Student Aid Loan Servicing
    P.O. Box 300001
    Greenville, TX 75403-3001

Email

To send a secure email about your existing loans, log into Aidvantage’s Help Center and select the “Email Us” option.

For federal loan consolidation applications specifically:

  • Email: ed_consolidation_orig@aidvantage.com

  • This address is particularly helpful for Parent PLUS loan borrowers doing a double consolidation.

  • Most borrowers will find it easiest to consolidate through StudentAid.gov.

  • Aidvantage processes all federal consolidation applications, even if you plan to choose a different loan lender.

  • You can also submit consolidation applications by mail or fax.

Self-Service and Automated Support

Aidvantage offers a 24/7 automated phone system for quick tasks. You can make payments, check your balance, and access specific account information using voice prompts.

The system can also send you links by text or email to direct you to forms, repayment options, or loan forgiveness details.

FAQs

Is Aidvantage considered a federal student loan?

No, Aidvantage is not a federal student loan itself; it is a loan servicer that manages federal student loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. When your loans are transferred to Aidvantage, the loans themselves remain federal, but Aidvantage handles the servicing aspects like billing, payments, and customer support.

What different student loan repayment plans does Aidvantage offer?

Aidvantage offers multiple repayment plans, including the Standard and Graduated Repayment Plans for fixed or gradually increasing payments over 10 years. For balances over $30,000, the Extended Repayment Plan spans up to 25 years. Aidvantage also provides Income-Driven Repayment options, adjusting payments based on income and family size.

Are student loans through Aidvantage being forgiven?

Aidvantage services federal student loans, so forgiveness eligibility is tied to federal programs, not the servicer itself. Programs like PSLF and IDR forgiveness are available to qualifying borrowers, regardless of whether Aidvantage is the servicer. Aidvantage can assist you in understanding these programs and applying for forgiveness.

How do I apply for student loan forgiveness with Aidvantage?

To apply for loan forgiveness through Aidvantage, identify the program you qualify for, such as PSLF or IDR. For PSLF, submit an Employment Certification Form (ECF) annually or after job changes. Aidvantage processes forms, assists with application steps, and helps you monitor your status to meet all criteria.

Bottom Line

Student loans come with a lot of questions, but here’s the key point: Aidvantage is a legitimate federal loan servicer, officially authorized to help you manage your loans.

Getting familiar with your options for repayment, loan forgiveness, and other support can give you the confidence to handle your student debt wisely.

Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter for regular updates, practical tips, and guidance on managing your student loans.

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