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  • GAO Issues Report on Compliance with the SCRA Interest Rate Cap by Student Loan Servicers

    Federal Issues

    On November 18, the GAO announced the release of its report and recommendations following the watchdog agency’s review of application of the SCRA’s rate cap by student loan servicers. According to the report, entitled Student Loans: Oversight of Servicemembers' Interest Rate Cap Could Be Strengthened, the number of servicemembers receiving the interest rate cap for their student loans has greatly increased since the Department of Education began requiring federal student loan servicers to automatically check the Department of Defense’s SCRA database to identify those who are eligible.

    The report also identified several challenges commonly encountered by servicemembers seeking to take advantage of the rate cap, including:  (i) inaccurate SCRA information from the database; (ii) lack of a requirement that private loan servicers use the automatic eligibility check to identify eligible servicemembers; and (iii) lack of routine oversight of SCRA compliance for nonbank private student loan lenders and servicers. The GAO recommended, among other things, that the DOJ require private loan servicers to use the automatic eligibility check to identify eligible borrowers. The report also highlighted an issue with the Department of Education’s new borrower complaint system, which lacks the ability to track SCRA complaints systematically.

    Federal Issues Consumer Finance Servicemembers Student Lending SCRA GAO Department of Education Department of Defense

  • As Part of Joint Initiative with the CFPB, FTC Launches Updated, Mobile-Friendly Military Consumer Website

    Consumer Finance

    On November 15, the FTC announced the launch of its new mobile-friendly “financial readiness” website, which is designed to help members of the military community navigate personal financial decisions in light of the unique challenges they face, such as frequent relocations and deployment. The website, which may be found at www.Military.Consumer.gov, is a collaborative effort of the FTC, DoD, CFPB and others.

    Consumer Finance CFPB FTC Miscellany Department of Defense

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