If you’re wondering, Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA? you’re not alone. I’ve been through this process myself, and I’m here to guide you with clear, firsthand insights.
As a former MyGreatLakes user, I understand the anxiety of loan transfers. In this blog, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Great Lakes, MOHELA, and what happened to your loans, ensuring you feel confident moving forward.
The Great Lakes to Nelnet Transition
I’ve experienced loan servicer transitions before, and they can feel overwhelming. Let’s dive into what happened with Great Lakes and address whether Great Lakes transferred to MOHELA.
The Nelnet Acquisition
In 2018, I noticed a big change when Nelnet acquired Great Lakes. By summer 2023, Great Lakes stopped servicing federal student loans entirely. I received emails notifying me that my loans were moving to Nelnet, not MOHELA.
The transfer process began in March 2022 and wrapped up by June 2023. Nelnet, another major servicer, took over Great Lakes’ entire federal loan portfolio. So, to answer, “Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA?”—no, they transferred to Nelnet.
How the Transfer Worked?
Here’s how I navigated the transfer:
- Notification: I got an email from Great Lakes two weeks before my loan moved, detailing my new Nelnet account number.
- Account Setup: I created a new online account with Nelnet to manage payments and view statements.
- Payment Continuity: Great Lakes forwarded my payments to Nelnet for at least 120 days post-transfer, ensuring no missed payments.
- Communication: I contacted Nelnet at 888-486-4722 for questions, which helped clarify my loan status.
If you’re asking, Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA? this confirms the move was to Nelnet, but let’s explore why MOHELA might come up.
Now, let’s look at why MOHELA is part of this conversation and clear up any confusion.
Why the MOHELA Confusion?
I’ve seen borrowers mix up servicers, and I get why MOHELA’s name pops up. Let’s unpack the reasons behind the question, Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA?
MOHELA’s Role in Federal Loans
I’ve interacted with MOHELA for specific programs, and it’s a key player in federal student loans. MOHELA services loans for the U.S. Department of Education and handles the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
If I pursued PSLF, Great Lakes would have transferred my loans to MOHELA, not Nelnet. This might explain why some borrowers think, “Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA?”—especially if they applied for PSLF.
PSLF and MOHELA
Here’s what I learned about PSLF transfers:
- PSLF Application: I filled out the PSLF employment certification form to track qualifying payments.
- Transfer to MOHELA: If I qualified, Great Lakes moved my loans to MOHELA, the designated PSLF servicer.
- Timeline: I submitted my form, and within weeks, MOHELA sent a welcome email with my loan details.
So, if you’re wondering, “Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA?” it only happened for PSLF-eligible loans, not the entire Great Lakes portfolio.
Other Transfer Scenarios
I also discovered that some borrowers saw their loans move to MOHELA due to specific circumstances, like consolidations or Department of Education reassignments. For example, I read about cases where loans shifted from other servicers like FedLoan to MOHELA, which might cause confusion with Great Lakes.
Let’s examine how you can confirm your loan servicer and manage the transition.
Confirming Your Loan Servicer
I’ve had to double-check my servicer before, and it’s easier than it seems. If you’re asking, Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA? here’s how I verified my loan details.
Steps to Check Your Servicer
I followed these steps to confirm my loan servicer:
- Log into StudentAid.gov: I accessed my Federal Student Aid dashboard to see the “My Loan Servicers” section.
- Call Federal Student Aid: I dialed 800-433-3243 to get quick answers about my servicer.
- Check Credit Reports: I reviewed my credit report to see which servicer was reporting my loans.
- Contact Nelnet or MOHELA: I called Nelnet (888-486-4722) or MOHELA (888-866-4352) to confirm my account status.
What to Do Post-Transfer
Once I confirmed my servicer, I took these actions:
- Set Up Online Access: I registered for Nelnet’s online portal to manage payments.
- Enroll in Autopay: I signed up for autopay to reduce my interest rate by 0.25%.
- Review Loan Details: I checked my balance and repayment plan to ensure accuracy.
Here’s a quick table summarizing key contacts:
| Servicer | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Nelnet | 888-486-4722 | nelnet.com |
| MOHELA | 888-866-4352 | mohela.com |
| Federal Student Aid | 800-433-3243 | studentaid.gov |
These steps helped me stay on top of my loans, and they’ll work for you too.
Let’s address common issues during transfers to ensure you’re prepared.
Handling Transfer Challenges
I’ve faced hiccups during loan transfers, and I know they can be stressful. If you’re wondering, Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA? or dealing with transfer issues, here’s what I did to resolve them.
Common Issues and Solutions
- Credit Reporting Errors: I noticed my credit score dipped when Great Lakes reported paused payments as “deferred” during the 2020 forbearance. I contacted Nelnet and credit bureaus to correct this.
- Missing Payment History: When my loans moved, some payment records didn’t transfer. I kept old Great Lakes emails as proof and submitted them to Nelnet.
- Balance Discrepancies: I heard of borrowers seeing balance jumps (e.g., $68k to $76k). I verified my balance with Nelnet and ensured accrued interest was clear.
Tips for a Smooth Transition
Here’s what worked for me:
- Document Everything: I saved all emails from Great Lakes and Nelnet.
- Contact Support Early: I reached out to Nelnet for clarification before issues escalated.
- File Complaints if Needed: I used the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman (studentaid.gov) for unresolved disputes.
These strategies kept my loans on track, and I recommend them to you.
Let’s wrap up with final thoughts on managing your loans post-transfer.
Conclusion
I’ve navigated the complexities of student loan transfers, and I know the question Did Great Lakes Transfer to MOHELA? can be unsettling. Great Lakes’ loans moved to Nelnet in 2023, except for PSLF cases, which went to MOHELA.
I hope my experience and tips empower you to manage your loans confidently. Check your servicer, set up your account, and stay proactive. With these steps, I’ve kept my loans in order, and I know you can too.
