Student Lending

Former Corinthian Colleges Students Eligible for Streamlined Loan Discharge
The Attorney General's Office, as part of an investigation into Corinthian Colleges, is reaching out to students who attended Corinthian programs that the U.S. Department of Education found were affected by fraud. Corinthian operated primarily as Everest in Illinois. Students who received outreach from the Attorney General's Office can find information on how to apply by calling the Attorney General’s Student Loan Helpline (1-800-455-2456; TTY: 1-800-964-3013) or by visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Avoid scams – it is free to apply. If you are asked to pay then it’s likely a scam.

Students who have already applied and have questions about responses from their student loan servicer or the U.S. Department of Education are encouraged to contact our Student Loan Helpline (1-800-455-2456; TTY: 1-800-964-3013) or to file a complaint with our office.

The Attorney General's Office is a national leader in investigating and enforcing consumer protection violations in the higher education field, becoming the first state Attorney General's Office to file lawsuits against emerging student loan debt scams, leading the investigation into Sallie Mae (now Navient), and pursuing litigation against national for-profit colleges for fraudulent marketing practices.

The Attorney General's Office also created the Student Loan Helpline (1-800-455-2456; TTY: 1-800-964-3013) to provide struggling student borrowers with free resources about repayment options and information on avoiding default. Borrowers can also call to file consumer complaints regarding issues with the billing and servicing of their loans.

Private Educational Lender Information Guide, Annual Reporting Spreadsheet and Annual Statement Spreadsheet in Compliance with Know Before You Owe Act
Signed into law on August 26, 2021, the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act (“Know Before You Owe Act”), Public Act 102 0583, provides student loan borrowers with critical information about their eligibility for federal financial assistance before those borrowers take out a private education loan at an institution of higher education. The Illinois Student Loan Ombudsman, housed within the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, prepared these guides to help private lenders comply with this law.

The Know Before You Owe Act requires private educational lenders to provide an annual report. The information guides posted here provide instructions on how two types of private educational lenders should prepare and submit the required annual report spreadsheet, due November 1 of each year. Private educational lenders who make more than 10 private education loans per year should refer to the KBYO Annual Report Information Guide and KBYO Annual Reporting Spreadsheet, linked below. Private educational lenders who make 10 or fewer private education loans per year should refer to the KBYO Annual Statement Reporting Guide and KBYO Annual Statement Spreadsheet, linked below. Private educational lenders should fill out the Annual Report or Annual Statement, as applicable, and return those documents in Excel form to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office by emailing those spreadsheets and supporting documents to Loan.reports@ilag.gov, with the subject line specified in the information guides. The annual reporting and annual statement requirements are mandatory. Failing to submit a report or statement, or submitting an incomplete report or statement, is a violation of state law. Private lenders should use the links below to download the information guides regarding the Know Before You Owe requirements, as well as the template spreadsheets for submitting annual reports or statements.

Annual Reporting Information Guide

Annual Reporting Spreadsheet

Annual Statement Information Guide

Annual Statement Spreadsheet

Questions regarding the annual reporting or annual statement requirements may be directed to the Illinois Student Loan Ombudsman at Loan.reports@ilag.gov , by using the subject line: “Question About Reporting.” Please provide a phone contact number where you can be reached.

Student Loan Assistance: Helping Student Borrowers Manage Debt
Find out how to determine your loan status and contact your loan servicers to review repayment options.

Student Loan Debt Relief: Do Your Homework  (En Español)
Get step-by-step instructions on dealing with student loan debt.

College Prep: How to Make the Right Choice for Your Future
Remember to consider these important factors when choosing a college or university.

File a Consumer Complaint

Student Loan Helpline: 1-800-455-2456; TTY: 1-800-964-3013

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