Loan Repayment: Frequently Asked Questions

In an effort to better assist you, we are providing the following information and links regarding student loan repayment. This information will help to answer the most commonly asked questions while in repayment.

Q. What types of deferments are available?

A. You may *defer or delay the repayment of your loan for a defined period of time. There are different types of deferments available to you depending on when you borrowed and the type of loan you received. You can download a deferment form the ECSI Forms Page, or by clicking on the respective loan type below:

Q. How do I maintain a good credit record?

A. For most students, their student loans are their first experience with credit. Student loans can be an excellent way to establish a good credit rating. Pay your loan promptly each month. Here are some tips on establishing good credit:

  • Notify the Loan Repayment Office or ECSI of any change of address or name.
  • Send the payment due each month even if you do not receive a bill.
  • Send extra payment towards your principal balance to reduce your total interest when you can.
  • If you are eligible for any deferments or cancellations, file the appropriate form on or before your payment due date.
  • Always call or contact the Loan Repayment Office personnel at MWU if you have a question or problem.
  • Never ignore correspondence or payment requests, no matter what the circumstances.

Q. What if I have problems repaying my loan?

A. If you have a problem making scheduled payments on your loan, contact the Loan Repayment Office at MWU or ECSIimmediately. We will work with you to help you avoid the costs and adverse consequences of delinquency and having your loan classified as in default. There are options that can help you avoid default and maintain a positive credit history.

Q. What happens if I do not repay my loan?

A. The federal due diligence requirements for collection on Student Loans have become increasingly strict. If you ignore bills or move without notifying the Loan Repayment Office at MWU or ECSI, the following steps may be taken:

  • Late Fees - If your account is past due, you will be assessed a late fee.
  • Transcript Hold - A hold will be placed on your transcripts and/or important documents. This hold will not be released until the past due portion of your loan is cleared.
  • Credit Reporting - When past due accounts are reported to the bureaus that adversely affects your credit rating. When you apply for credit of any kind, the potential creditor usually checks your credit record through a credit reporting service. MWU reports past due balances to all credit bureaus.
  • State Offset Program - This is a program that automatically offsets a taxpayer's state personal income tax refund and/or lottery winnings if the taxpayer owes the university a debt.
  • Referral to a Collection Agency - The regulations that govern the student loan programs require that universities refer to an outside collection agency any past-due borrower who has not responded to our internal collection efforts. Collection agencies are in the business of pursuing collections vigorously and aggressively. If the circumstances warrant, they will proceed with litigation. You may be responsible for all court costs, attorney fees, and collection costs, in addition to the entire unpaid principal balance plus interest. A court judgment on your credit record is detrimental to both your career and private life. Your wages may be garnished and your credit report will be affected. In addition, you must pay all the costs of the collection agency. The fee the collection agency charges to collect this delinquent debt is known as the collection cost or contingency fee.
  • Acceleration - Your promissory note includes an acceleration clause. This means that the university can declare the entire unpaid balance of your loan due and payable even if only one payment is late.
  • Assignment to the Department of Education - The Department of Education recommends that we assign loans in default to the federal government. Once this assignment takes place, you owe the debt directly to the U.S. Treasury. The federal government has hired special agencies to collect on these defaulted loans. Once the university has assigned your loan, you must deal with the federal government or their agents exclusively. Although you will still have to repay the loan, the money you pay to the federal government is not returned to MWU to be used by other students.

Q. What payment options are available?

A. ECSI offers the ability to make payments via several methods:

  1. e-Check (Single ACH payment drawn today via online or over the phone)
  2. Credit Card (Single payment via online or over the phone) (not available for the MWU Loan Program)
  3. Direct Payment (Future or recurring ACH Payments)
  4. You may also mail a check or money order to ECSI at:
    ECSI 100 Global View Drive
    Warrendale, PA 15086

NOTE: Direct Payment (Recurring ACH Payments) is the easiest and most convenient way to make your student loan payments. Here are the benefits of Direct Payment:

  • No more late fees. Since your installment amount is automatically withdrawn from your bank account, your payments will never be late (as long as the funds are available).
  • Save money. There is no need to keep a large supply of stamps and envelopes, or pay for checks.
  • Save time; your time is valuable. The transaction is automatic so there's no need to make a trip to the post office to mail your payment.
  • Help the environment. By going paperless you are saving resources and reducing solid waste.

Q. How will my payment be applied to my account?

A. ECSI posts all payments in accordance with the Federal Regulations governing the loans that you have borrowed. For most federally regulated loans, this means that your payment will be prorated in the following order:

  1. Fees (Late Fees, NSF Fees, etc)
  2. Past Due Interest
  3. Past Due Principal
  4. Current Interest
  5. Current Principal

Q. Where do I sign my institutional loan exit?

A. Simply access the website of ECSI at http://www.ecsi.net/myacct. Click on the "Borrower Link" and login to "My Account" by using the following information:

  • School Code: K7
  • School Code: 2i (MWU Loan Borrowers Only)
  • SSN #: Your nine-digit social security number
  • PIN #: (If you do not have one or forgot you PIN just click E-mail My PIN.)

Click on the "Exit Interview" link to begin the exit process. From the list of Pending Exit Interviews, select the appropriate exit to complete and follow the instructions provided.

Q. I want to sign my Exit Interview, but I cannot find it. What can I do?

A. Make sure you are logged into the correct school code: K7 or 2i. If that is not the case and you are still not able to find your Exit Interview after login into your account, please check back in 24 hours. If after 24 hours, the Exit Interview still does not appear, please contact our Loan Repayment Office.

Q. Can I authorize my spouse and/or any other party to discuss the details of my loan account in my behalf if I am not available?

A. For ECSI or MWU to release/discuss any information with your spouse and/or any other party you must fill out and sign the "Authorization to Discuss Account Information". Simply Login to the ECSI website and follow these steps:

  • Click on My Account Menu
  • Click on Account Tools
  • Click on Release of Information and complete the form

Notes
*Refer to the regulations of your promissory note and loan program. Please click here to return to the original place in the article that referred to this note.

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