Sorry, Your Student Loan Debt Isn't Erased Because DOGE Accessed It

If you've scrolled through TikTok lately, you might have seen videos claiming you can get your student loans forgiven because Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency illegally accessed your student loan data. 

"Elon Musk just made a massive mistake," one TikToker said on March 14. "As a result of this mistake, people are getting their student loans forgiven and removed off of their credit report."

If this all sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. 

"Borrowers do not have a path to loan forgiveness because DOGE has accessed federal student loan databases," student loan lawyer Adam Minsky said in an email.

While the legality of DOGE's actions is being challenged, it won't affect your student loan balance. 

Can I get my student loans forgiven if DOGE accessed Department of Education data?

You're not excused from your student loan obligation because DOGE accessed federal financial aid information. That said, these TikTok posts didn't appear out of thin air. 

They started popping up in early February after reports that DOGE gained access to data that included the "personal information for millions of students enrolled in the federal student aid program."

DOGE's access to federal financial aid data was briefly halted after the University of California Student Association filed a lawsuit against what it called an "intrusion into individuals' privacy." However, a federal judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order, thereby allowing DOGE to continue accessing the data. 

The legal battle continues, as a group of labor unions that includes the American Federation of Teachers and the National Federation of Federal Employees filed its own lawsuit to stop DOGE from accessing Department of Education data. 

Democrats in Congress, along with student loan advocacy groups, have also stated their concern that DOGE's access to this data could put borrowers at risk of identity theft or other violations of their privacy. 

Why are people confused?

DOGE's access to sensitive student loan information fueled online rumors about loan forgiveness. TikTok posts said DOGE violated your privacy rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

By filing a FERPA complaint, they say, you can get your student debt erased. They even shared a template to request loan forgiveness when filing a complaint on the Department of Education's Student Privacy site. 

The reality, however, is that FERPA doesn't apply. 

"FERPA is a law that protects the privacy of students' education records held by institutions," Megan Walter, a senior policy analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said in an email. "However, DOGE's investigation does not involve requesting student loan records from colleges or universities."

Instead, DOGE accessed information held by the Department of Education, and that data is not covered under FERPA. Even if it was, individuals can't file a lawsuit or get their loans dismissed over a FERPA violation. 

"FERPA does not provide for any private right of action that would allow someone to file a lawsuit due to a violation," Minsky said. "And student loan forgiveness is not a remedy for any such violation."

Violating FERPA mainly has consequences for schools -- if a school trespasses on your personal information, the Department of Education could withhold future federal funding from it. Filing a complaint could lead to a formal investigation, but it won't get rid of your student debt. 

How can I get my student loans wiped out?

There are legitimate student loan forgiveness programs out there, including:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This program will forgive your federal student loan balance after 10 years of full-time public service.
• Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Qualifying teachers in low-income schools can get up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness after five years of teaching. 
• State-run loan repayment assistance programs: Many states offer student loan assistance to qualifying professionals, such as doctors or lawyers, working in designated shortage areas or high-need communities.

You can also explore other options for student loan relief, such as forbearance, deferment and, now that the applications are back online, income-driven repayment plans. The SAVE plan is no longer an option, however, after a US appeals court blocked the program. 

SAVE borrowers may need to switch to another repayment plan and will see their payments resume after months in limbo. If your loans have been on pause, check whether they've entered repayment yet. Missing payments, even accidentally, can hurt your credit score.

If you have a complicated student loan situation, it may also be in your interest to consult an expert or lawyer, rather than scrolling your TikTok feed. 

"Don't rely on social media for legal advice," advised Minsky. "Talk to an attorney."