Dear UUP member,
Many UUP members are struggling daily to pay off student loan debt and make ends meet. That’s why UUP has joined our national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to put out a member survey to assess how student debt has impacted members and explore what we can do to help. Nearly 10,000 members of AFT have already responded in just a few short weeks. We are asking interested UUP members to also participate by completing this survey.
While nearly all AFT members would qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, we are particularly concerned that the student loan servicer Navient may be giving AFT members misleading information about eligibility for programs that may reduce or eliminate their student loan payments, including income-driven repayment plans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
AFT is exploring legal action on behalf of our members who have been harmed by these practices. Specifically, AFT is looking for members who may represent us as plaintiffs in a proposed class action lawsuit against Navient. To be considered, click here and answer a few short questions.
Such members meet the following criteria:
• Borrowed a federal Direct student loan since January 1, 2010;
• Live in or took out federal Direct student loans in New York State;
• Have Navient as their federal student loan servicer;
• Contacted Navient to ask about student loan forgiveness for public service employees within the last four years; and
• Currently working in a public or private school, for the government, or for a nonprofit organization.
If you fit this description and would be interested in helping your fellow AFT members hold Navient accountable, please click here and fill out a short survey.
AFT will then reach out to you to learn more about your experiences with Navient. Any information you share will be kept strictly confidential unless you give your express permission.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We believe it is time for Navient to stop putting profits over public service employees’ livelihoods.
In Solidarity,
Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.,
President
(518) 640-6600 (800) 342-4206
fax: (866) 812-9446 www.uupinfo.org
P.O. Box 15143
Albany, NY 12212-5143