"TikTok videos, some with tens of thousands of views, are claiming that borrowers can have all their student loans erased by following a few simple steps," The New York Times reports.

..."If I successfully dispute a loan on my credit report, do I still have to repay it?

Yes. FERPA does not apply in this case, said Megan Walter, an analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Having loans removed from credit reports may improve credit scores, which can make it easier, for example, to rent or buy a home, she said. But it does not mean the loans are no longer owed.

The proliferation of TikTok videos saying otherwise 'makes me really nervous for the people who do not understand what this actually means,' Ms. Walter said. 'While it may get removed temporarily or permanently, you still have an underlying debt obligation to the Department of Education or the lender,' she said.

Experian, one of the three major U.S. consumer credit bureaus, said in a statement that it was aware of the TikTok posts."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 6/24/2025