The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) today announced the extension of student loan repayment relief to Hurricane Sandy-impacted borrowers through June 30, 2013. 

On November 9, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed HESC to grant temporary student loan relief to New Yorkers who were affected by Hurricane Sandy.  New Yorkers in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties and members of the military who were called to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy were eligible to receive a 90 day grace period on their student loan payments, upon request.

“The State recognizes that many New Yorkers who were impacted by Sandy are still struggling, and continue to need relief and support,” said Elsa Magee, Acting President of HESC.  “We thank the U.S. Department of Education for approving our request so that we can continue to provide relief to student loan borrowers who live or work in the affected areas. This extension will give impacted families a meaningful period during which they can focus on rebuilding and restarting their lives.”

 In addition to the suspension of collections efforts, the U.S. Department of Education also directed federal student loan servicers to extend the 90-day forbearance period for impacted borrowers in repayment on their loans and to grant forbearances to newly identified impacted borrowers through June 30.

Also extended is the suspension or reversal of delinquency or default notifications made by HESC to credit reporting agencies, the suspension of referrals for administrative wage garnishment and the suspension of collections calls to federal student loan borrowers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are delinquent in their federal student loan payments.

Borrowers should contact HESC to request a temporary suspension by calling 1-866-991-HESC (4372) or by emailing Dept736@hesc.ny.gov. A specific option has been added to the toll free number for Sandy victims.