Are you a TESST College student struggling to repay your student loans? If so, you may be wondering about the loan forgiveness and repayment options available to you.
The student loan debt crisis in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, with over 44 million Americans now owing a combined total of over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. This has become a major concern for students and their families, struggling to find ways to pay off this debt.
One of the solutions that are becoming increasingly popular is student loan forgiveness. The US Department of Education has provided programs that offer loan forgiveness.
This article will outline some of the most popular options for TESST students.
About TESST College of Technology
TESST College of Technology is a for-profit institution that offers training in various technical and trade fields.
The school began in 2015 in Baltimore, MD, in Ibrahim Gedeon and has since expanded to include campuses in Beltsville, MD; Washington, D.C.; and Townson.
TESST College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Loan Forgiveness Programs
There are several different loan forgiveness programs available to TESST students.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is a federal program that offers loan forgiveness to borrowers who work in public service jobs.
To qualify for this program, you must work for a government or nonprofit organization and have made 120 qualifying payments on your student loans.
However, thanks to a recent change in the program, some requirements have been eased out. A recent waiver from the Department of Education allows borrowers to qualify for forgiveness based on their qualifying public service employment regardless of their loan type or repayment plan.
This new waiver is set to expire on October 31, 2022.
To know more about this, please click here.
Income-Based Repayment
The Income-Based Repayment (IBR) program is a federal program that caps your monthly student loan payments at a percentage of your income. Also, your monthly payments will be capped at 10% of your discretionary income.
To qualify for this program, you must have a partial financial hardship.
After 20 or 25 years (depending on when you took out your loans), the remaining balance on your loans will be forgiven tax-free.
There are four different income-based repayment plans:
- Pay As You Earn Plan
- Revised Pay As You Earn Plan
- Income-Contingent Repayment Plan
- The Income-Based Repayment Plan
Each plan offers different benefits and has its eligibility requirements.
Student Loan Consolidation
Student loan consolidation is another option that can help you lower your monthly payments.
With student loan consolidation, you combine all of your federal student loans into one loan with a single monthly payment. This comes with several benefits, including a longer repayment term, which can lower your monthly payments.
Borrower Defense to Repayment
The Borrower Defense to Repayment program is a federal program that offers loan forgiveness to borrowers who were defrauded by their schools.
To qualify for this program, you must have been misled or deceived by your school, and you must be able to prove that this deception has caused you financial harm.
If you qualify, the remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven.
Total and Permanent Disability Discharge(TPD)
The TPD discharge is a federal program that offers loan forgiveness to totally and permanently disabled borrowers.
To qualify for this program, you must submit documentation from a doctor that proves that you are totally and permanently disabled.
If you qualify, the remaining balance on your student loans will be forgiven.
TESST College Tuition and Fees
Tuition at TESST College of technology varies depending on the location and the program.
The average tuition for an undergraduate program is estimated to cost $18,000 per year. This applies to in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students.
The college also charges various fees, including a registration fee, a technology fee, and a graduation fee.
Please contact the TESST College of Technology nearest you for more information on tuition and fees.
However, TESST College offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for their education, including scholarships, grants, and loans.
TESST College of technology reviews
Now that you have a little background information on TESST College let’s look at some reviews from students and graduates.
On Yelp, TESST College of Technology has an average rating of 1 star out of 1 review. The reviewer narrated a story about his bad experience with the college and how it led to him incurring a lot of debt.
On GradReports, TESST College of Technology has an average rating of 2.5 stars out of 6 reviews. The reviewers likewise shared negative experiences with the college, citing high tuition costs and poor education.
Need Help with student loans?
If you’re having difficulty keeping up with your student loan payments, or want to learn more about your alternatives, do not hesitate to contact us. You can call or fill out a form and speak to one of our student loan advisors.
We have a number of resources that can help you make the best decision for your financial future.
