If you’re filing your taxes, refinancing student loans or simply want to know how much you owe on your federal loans, you’ve likely been asked about your student loan account number. But after scanning your memory, nothing rings a bell.
Fortunately, there’s a straightforward way to find your student loan account number.
1. What is a student loan account number? 2. Why do you need your student loan account number? 3. How to find your student loan account number 4. Helpful student loan resources 5. The bottom line 6. FAQs
What is a student loan account number?
A student loan account number is comprised of 10 characters, typically a letter and mix of numbers. This combination is associated with your federal student loans that are held with a specific loan servicer.
If you have more than one federal loan servicer, you’ll have more than one student loan account number associated with each servicer.
If you have federal student loans that are owned by the Department of Education, your student loan account number may start with the letter “E.” For federal loans that are owned by different lenders, your student loan account number might begin with the letters “D” or “J.”
Federal loan vs private loan account numbers
The 10-character student loan account number is used specifically for federal loans that come from the federal government. Though federal loans can be held with different student loan servicers, each federal loan associated with a loan servicer is given a corresponding student loan account number.
Private student loans don’t come from the U.S. Department of Education, but rather private financial institutions, such as banks or credit unions, as well as online lenders.
Because each lender is different and has its own protocol, there isn’t a student loan account number that is the same across private loan lenders. Some might use parts of your personal information or your nine-digit Social Security number to connect you to your loans.
Why do you need your student loan account number?
There are various instances you may be asked for your student loan account number. For example, if you’re making a payment with your loan servicer, filling out a form with them or need customer service assistance.
Additionally, you might also need your student loan account number for the IRS during tax time to fill out your tax return. It’s important to note that there’s a student loan interest tax deduction. Your account number can help you verify that the student loans are associated with you as a borrower.
Your student loan account number may also be required when refinancing student loans or if you’re consolidating your student loans. Take a look at the Instructions for Completing Direct Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note and item 15, where your student loan account number is requested.
You might need your student loan account number if you want to check how much you owe as well.
How to find your student loan account number
When you’re trying to assess how much you owe on your student loan balance or take steps to refinance student loans or take out a Direct Consolidation Loan, you want to have your information ready but you need to know where to look. There are various options to consider.
Here’s how to find your student loan account number.
Loan servicer documents
If you’ve recently received any letters or emails from your loan servicer, it’s likely your student loan account number can be found in the upper right hand corner. These can include your monthly student loan billing statements or potentially any updates about your account.
Here’s an example from loan servicer, EdFinancial Services:
Where to find your student loan account servicer
Unsure of who your loan servicer actually is? You can determine who your loan servicer is using the contact information for Federal Student Aid and calling 1-800-433-3243. Remember, you could have more than one loan servicer.
According to the Federal Student Aid website, potential loan servicers include:
- FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)
- Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
- HESC/Edfinancial
- MOHELA
- Aidvantage
- Nelnet
- OSLA Servicing
- ECSI
- Default Resolution Group
Online account
If you’re set up with an online account with your loan servicer to make monthly student loan payments, you may be able to easily find your student loan account number there. Simply go to your loan servicer’s website, input your username and password, and check your account to locate your student loan account number.
It’s important to note that you’ll want to get this directly from your loan servicer, who acts as an intermediary with borrowers. This information won’t be available to you via StudentAid.gov.
Call your loan servicer
Figuring out how to find your student loan account number is pretty easy if you have statements or an online account. But if you don’t have those set up yet or feel you’re not as tech-savvy, you can go the old-fashioned route and call your loan servicer.
Go to your loan servicer’s website and find their phone number to call about your student loan account number. You may need to provide personal information to verify your identity.
Helpful student loan resources
If you’re trying to figure out how to find your student loan account number, those are the top ways. But if you’re looking for information about your federal student loans in general, there are other resources to review as well.
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Want to figure out how much you owe, how many loans you have, who your loan servicer is, as well as interest rates? You can find all of your federal loan data using the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
To review your loan information, you’ll need to create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), to help you access your data.
What is an FSA ID?
An FSA ID refers to your Federal Student Aid ID, which student loan borrowers can use to access their loan information. The FSA ID includes a username and password and acts as a type of signature. Previously, there was a PIN that borrowers used, which has now been replaced by the FSA ID.
Whether you have federal loans or private student loan debt, you can find information about them on your credit report. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and review all three credit reports from the three credit bureaus to obtain more information about your loan servicer or lender.
Private lender account
Private loan borrowers might not have a traditional student loan account number. If you need to access certain account information about your private student loan, log into your online account on the lender’s website, and go to your account for additional information.
What if your loan is in default?
If you ended up missing payments for 270 days or more and your loans are in default, your loan information might have been sold to a debt collection agency. Obtaining your loan account information in this situation is a slightly different process.
First reach out to the Default Resolution Group at 1 (800) 621-3115. If your loans are already with a collection agency, you can ask them about your student loan account number as well.
It can be frustrating to figure out how to find your student loan account number when you need it most. Whether you’re looking to lower your interest rate through refinancing or streamline monthly payments with consolidation, accessing your student loan account number is essential.
However, by referencing your loan servicer, monthly statements, and the resources listed above, you can find it ASAP.
Need help with student loan repayment and figuring out your repayment options? Contact Student Loan Planner for a customized plan.
FAQs
How can I find out my student loan account number?
You can access your student loan account number via your loan servicer’s online account or your monthly billing statements.
Is your loan number your account number?
Your student loan number and your student loan account number are different. Your account number is unique to your account with a loan servicer and the loan number is related to each loan with a particular loan servicer.
How do I find student loan balance?
You can find your student loan balance through your loan servicer or the Federal Student Aid website. If you’re unsure of your loan servicer, you can use your FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website. For private loans, check with your private lender.
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