A Comprehensive Guide to Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri

Author

Reads 9.8K

A Group of Volunteers Assisting an Elderly Person on a Black Wheelchair For Charity
Credit: pexels.com, A Group of Volunteers Assisting an Elderly Person on a Black Wheelchair For Charity

The Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) is a non-profit organization that provides student loan financing and servicing. MOHELA was created in 1981 to provide affordable financing options for students.

MOHELA is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, and has been serving students for over 40 years. Its mission is to provide student loan financing and servicing to help students achieve their educational goals.

MOHELA offers a range of loan products, including federal student loans and private student loans. These loans can be used to finance undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as career and technical education.

Intriguing read: Loan Servicing

Early History

MOHELA was founded by the Missouri General Assembly in 1981 to oversee loans guaranteed by the U.S. federal government.

The Federal Family Education Loan Program was the framework for MOHELA's early work, helping students access loans for their education.

MOHELA began to expand its presence in the student loan servicing industry after the Federal Family Education Loan Program was abolished in 2010.

In 2011, MOHELA was granted a contract with the Department of Education to service over 100,000 federal student loans.

For more insights, see: Is Mohela a Good Loan Servicer

MOHELA Overview

Credit: youtube.com, What Is Mohela? - The College Explorer

MOHELA was created by lawmakers in Missouri in 1981 to manage student loans backed by the U.S. federal government.

Its first job was to manage the Federal Family Education Loan Program, which ended in 2010. MOHELA took on more work in the student loan world after that.

In 2011, the Department of Education asked MOHELA to help manage over 100,000 federal student loans.

MOHELA Student Loan Types

MOHELA services a range of student loans, including federal subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans.

These loans are designed to help students cover the cost of higher education, and MOHELA's involvement means they can provide a single point of contact for borrowers.

MOHELA handles federal subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans, which are two of the most common types of federal student loans.

Subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct loans are also serviced by MOHELA, offering students and parents a range of options for financing their education.

MOHELA's services include managing Federal Perkins loans, which are need-based student loans that offer a lower interest rate and more favorable repayment terms.

Credit: youtube.com, What Is MOHELA? - CreditGuide360.com

PLUS loans, which are part of the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, are also handled by MOHELA, providing an option for graduate and professional students.

Federal GradPLUS loans are another type of loan that MOHELA helps manage, offering additional funding for graduate students.

MOHELA also services federal student loan consolidation, which allows borrowers to combine multiple loans into a single loan with a single interest rate and payment.

Here's a list of the student loan types MOHELA handles:

  • Federal subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans
  • Subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct loans
  • Federal Perkins loans
  • PLUS loans
  • Federal GradPLUS loans
  • Federal student loan consolidation

Mohela: 1981-2019

MOHELA was created by lawmakers in Missouri in 1981. Its first job was to manage student loans that the U.S. federal government backed. This was part of a program called the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

MOHELA started to take on more work in the student loan world after the Federal Family Education Loan Program ended in 2010. In 2011, the Department of Education asked MOHELA to help manage over 100,000 federal student loans.

Public Student Forgiveness Program

College students studying and taking notes in a library setting.
Credit: pexels.com, College students studying and taking notes in a library setting.

The Public Student Forgiveness Program is a vital lifeline for eligible public servants, including social workers and teachers, who can have their debt cancelled after 10 years of service and 120 loan payments made on-time.

Unfortunately, the program has been plagued by criticism and controversy, with thousands of borrowers lodging complaints with the Education Department in the past three months alone.

MOHELA, the servicer responsible for administering the program, has been accused of delaying the cancellation of debt and forcing borrowers to make additional payments, which has led to a lawsuit filed by eligible borrowers.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is designed to provide relief to public servants, but its implementation has been marred by issues, causing undue stress and financial burden on those who need it most.

Student Handling

Student Handling is a crucial aspect of navigating the Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri. The authority is responsible for managing and collecting loan payments from borrowers.

Credit: youtube.com, Missouri-based student loan agency slapped with $7.2 million penalty

Borrowers can expect to receive regular statements and notifications from the authority, keeping them informed about their loan balances and payment schedules. These statements will outline the amount due, payment due date, and any additional fees or charges.

Missouri law requires the authority to provide borrowers with a 30-day notice before taking any action to collect a debt, such as sending the account to a collection agency. This notice will include information about the amount owed, the account status, and the opportunity to make a payment or dispute the debt.

Students who are struggling to make payments can reach out to the authority's customer service department for assistance. The authority offers various repayment options and can work with borrowers to develop a plan that meets their needs.

The authority also has a process in place for borrowers who are experiencing financial hardship or have fallen behind on payments. Borrowers can apply for a deferment or forbearance, which can temporarily suspend or reduce payments.

You might enjoy: Notional Amount

Contact Information

Credit: youtube.com, What Is MOHELA's Mailing Address? - CreditGuide360.com

You can contact the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority through their toll-free customer service phone number, 888 866 4352, which allows you to receive assistance and solve problems from anywhere in the world.

Their customer care department operates internationally, and you can reach them by calling 636 532 0600.

To get in touch with the specialists, you can use the phone number to discuss your questions and troubles directly, saving time on correspondence.

If you have career issues, use the phone number 636 733 3700.

You can also reach out to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority via email at [email protected], where the technical support team will help you with different issues and technical problems.

Their email response time is typically within a few days, with a follow-up response in 3-5 days.

Alternatively, you can send letters to their mailing address at 633 Spirit Drive Chesterfield, Missouri 63005-1243 United States, and receive a response within 7-10 days.

MOFELP

Credit: youtube.com, What Are MOHELA's Customer Service Wait Times Like? - Consumer Laws For You

The Missouri Family Education Loan Program (MOFELP) is a special loan option for Missouri students with financial need. It's designed to provide borrowing options for students who may not meet traditional credit requirements for private loans.

MOHELA, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, administers the MOFELP program. The funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be eligible for the MOFELP loan, you must be a U.S. citizen who is a permanent resident of Missouri. You also need to be enrolled on a full-time basis as an undergraduate or in the last semester with graduation set for the end of the term.

You must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward your first undergraduate degree. Your expected family contribution on the FAFSA must be $20,000 or less.

You'll also need to have certified financial need of at least $500, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. You must be at least 17 years old and have a GPA of at least 2.5 or a composite score of at least 21 on the ACT or SAT equivalent.

Additionally, you must not have any fraud convictions and not have been delinquent on any MOFELP payment more than 60 days. You'll also need to have at least two years of credit history, or a co-signer with credit history.

Verna Walter

Lead Writer

Verna Walter is a seasoned writer with a passion for finance and business. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, she has established herself as a trusted authority on the European financial landscape. Verna's expertise spans a wide range of topics, from the inner workings of the European Central Bank to the intricacies of the Austrian stock market.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.