The U.S. Department of Education is preparing to send the first wave of wage garnishment notices starting the week of January 7, 2026, to federal student loan borrowers in default. This marks the resumption of aggressive collections after the long pandemic-era pause ended. Notices will initially go out to about 1,000 borrowers, with the number increasing each month as the process targets millions who are more than 270 days past due on their payments. Employers can withhold up to 15% of a borrower’s disposable pay (after taxes and certain deductions) to repay the debt. This follows other collection actions already in effect, such as tax refund offsets. Borrowers receive at least 30 days’ advance notice before any withholding begins, giving them time to respond. Options to avoid or stop garnishment include disputing the debt, requesting a hearing, rehabilitating the loan through a series of on-time payments, consolidating the loan, or enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan. With total federal student debt exceeding $1.6 trillion and millions of borrowers affected, the government emphasizes that these steps are required by law after repeated opportunities to repay have passed. Borrowers should check their loan status promptly and explore available relief options to protect their paychecks.
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