Office Hours

Helping Marylanders navigate student loans and prepare for financial success beyond repayment

A semi-monthly virtual student loan clinic providing Maryland’s student loan borrowers with a free, trusted venue to help them navigate student loans and prepare for financial success beyond repayment.

Join Office Hours

Office Hours are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at noon ET. Watch the live broadcast on Facebook.







Have a question?

Complete the form to let us know. We will reach out to you with an answer, and if your question is answered during the broadcast, we will not share your name.

 

View the Archives on YouTube

Visit MCCFW’s YouTube Channel to view past editions of Office Hours. Each video includes a list of the answered questions, so you can browse the video’s content and find the parts that matter to you.

To view specific questions:

1. Open a video.
2. In the description under the video, click “SHOW MORE.”
3. Browse the list of questions and click the timestamp to the left of the question(s) you want to see answered.

What people are saying about Office Hours:

  • “Awesome session…thank you so much. I’ve read that site a million times trying to understand the gibberish and you made it so simple.”

  • "I've found Dr. Canady's YouTube presentations to be among the best in explaining this really complicated space. "

  • "Year after year I'm watching this bill increase and I can't find a way to bring the balance down. I just knew that I was out of options. I am so thankful that I attended your session."

FAQs

View the answers to our most frequently asked questions during Office Hours.

  • The Limited PSLF Waiver expired on 10/31/22 however many of its provisions will remain available until December 31, 2023, through another one-time program: the IDR Account Adjustment. The adjustment offers borrowers the opportunity to gain credit toward PSLF for past periods of repayment on Direct Loans and/or their non-Direct Loans (these loans must be consolidated into the Direct Loan Program by 12/31/23 to get the greatest benefit from the adjustment). Watch this Office Hours segment on how to determine if your loans are eligible. Visit the Department of Education to learn more about identifying your loan types.

  • Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans offer a path to cancellation after repayment for 20 or 25 years, regardless of employment. The Department of Education is conducting a one-time payment count update, the IDR Account Adjustment, which will give most federal student loan borrowers a payment count in 2024. Repayment history will be counted using the same standards applied during the Limited PSLF Waiver. Some borrowers will need to consolidate their loans and/or enroll in an IDR plan for future payments to count. Watch this Office Hours segment for information on loan types and eligibility. Visit the Department of Education to learn more about the IDR Account Adjustment.

  • It depends. View this Office Hours segment on things to consider before consolidation with or without PSLF in mind. You can learn more about consolidation and complete the application to consolidate online, for free, via studentaid.gov.

  • The Limited PSLF Waiver allowed borrowers to gain credit for past periods of repayment that were deemed ineligible under the original rules of PSLF. View this Office Hours segment for a comparison of PSLF, TEPSLF, and the Limited PSLF Waiver. Visit the Department of Education’s Limited PSLF Waiver announcement for detailed information about the waiver. The waiver expired on 10/31/22, however many of its provisions will continue until 12/31/23, through the IDR Account Adjustment.

  • PSLF requires qualifying employment. Qualifying employment is based on the type of organization you work for not your job title. Watch this Office Hours segment for an explanation and/or visit the Department of Education’s explanation of qualifying employment.

A smiling woman sitting in a chair

About the Host

Dr. Tisa Silver Canady, Founder and Director of the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness, has personally advised students and families on the repayment of more than $100 million in student loans.

Disclaimer:

Office Hours is provided by the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness (MCCFW) for informational purposes only. The information presented does not represent financial or legal advice. Borrowers are responsible for all decisions and outcomes related to their student loan repayment and/or cancellation experience. The borrower experience is evolving, more changes are expected and we will share them in future editions.