Education Department to start garnishing pay from some student loan borrowers in default

Published December 23, 2025 2:53pm ET



The Education Department will start wage garnishment for defaulted student loan borrowers in the new year.

Starting in early 2026, loan holders can begin garnishing pay — or order the employers of defaulted loan borrowers to withhold up to 15% of their disposable income — so they can collect the defaulted debt payments. The Department of Education confirmed the impending timeline to the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.