If AES is your loan servicer, you might have gotten something in the mail from them—and not known what it is. You may even have thought it was a scam. But, in fact, AES is a legit loan servicing company.
It’s not unusual for people to have thousands of dollars in student debt—and not know who their loan servicer is. Here’s some info on AES, loan servicers in general, and how to find out if AES is servicing your student loan.
What is AES?
AES stands for American Education Services. They’re a partially government-owned agency that services a number of higher education student loan programs for the federal government.
AES is a guarantor for the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. It also administers student grants for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is one of a number of organizations that services student loans.
What is a student loan servicer?
The federal government funds student loan programs, but private companies handle the billing, collections, consolidation, and other administrative tasks for those loans. Those companies are loan servicers.
If you have questions or issues with your student loan, it’s the loan servicer you talk to—not the federal government itself. They function as the administrative manager of the loan, and typically interface between student borrowers and the lender—either the private company or federal government.
How do I find out if AES is my loan servicer?
If you’re not sure who your loan servicer is, log in to My Federal Student Aid. You’ll be able to find out which servicers are attached to which loans, and whether or not AES is one of them. You may be asked for your Federal Student Aid (FSA) number.
You can also use the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This website will give you information on all your student loans in one place, including who the servicer is.
See also: Student Loan Servicers: Who They Are and Where to Find Them
How do I contact AES?
You can get in touch with AES in a number of ways.
They have several phone numbers you can call, depending on what your question is. You’ll need your account information for the call.
You can also email them, but they require you to sign into your account with them first and then get in touch via their secure email server.
The AES website has more information on how to get in touch and access your account.
How to avoid student loan scams
You may have been contacted by a company promising to help you pay off your student loans. These companies often charge you for their services, which are typically things you can do yourself.
Here are some warning signs to be aware of if you’re not sure if a company is legit:
- The company asks for a fee. Watch out for companies requesting your financial info. Don’t give out your credit card number, bank information, or any other financial information.
- They make sky-high promises. Don’t listen to any companies promising loan forgiveness. The federal government has several loan forgiveness programs, all of which require years of regular payments and other qualifications. There are no special deals.
- They try to get you to give them your Federal Student Aid ID. You use this ID to sign legal documents online—so you can see why fraudsters want to get their hands on it. Don’t give out your ID to anyone—or they’ll be able to change your account without your permission.
- They request that you sign a power of attorney. This agreement lets the fraudulent company talk to your loan servicer directly and make decisions without your permission. Signing a power of attorney basically turns your finances over to the company.
- They put pressure on you. Watch out for anyone saying that you have to “act quickly” on a “limited time offer.” This is a tried-and-true method to make you feel pressured and make snap decisions you may be doubting.
If you got a piece of mail from AES, you can check to find out if they’re your loan servicer. If you’re worried it’s a scam, you’re right to be concerned—fraudulent companies target student borrowers all the time. But you can straighten it out with a quick trip to the Federal Student Aid website.
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