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Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) offers flexibility in financial hardship relief options for those struggling to make payments on NJCLASS family loans due to the COVID-19 situation

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy today announced financial relief options for students and families repaying loans borrowed through the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) program. In recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the potential disruption to New Jersey residents' ability to keep pace with routine bills, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will offer assistance to those who need help making regular payments to NJCLASS student loans due to a diminished income.

"For everyone facing job loss, illness, or another impact from this pandemic that interrupts their income, we see you and we are here to help," said Governor Murphy. "I applaud HESAA for making NJCLASS loan relief options available for unemployment, temporary disability, or financial hardships attributable to the response to the COVID-19 emergency."

"HESAA has never charged late fees to NJCLASS loan borrowers, nor will we do so during this crisis," said David Socolow, Executive Director of HESAA. "We are committed to helping all borrowers, including those in need of relief from making payments as they cope with disruptions to their lives, health, and income," Socolow added.

HESAA consistently supports borrowers struggling to make regular payments through the agency's relief options. Those directly impacted by COVID-19 can apply for NJCLASS loan relief for temporary disability or unemployment. Applications for these relief options are available at https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/Relief%20Options/Unemployment.pdf and https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/NJCLASSTempDisabilityForm.pdf.

In addition, NJCLASS borrowers can apply for financial hardship relief. To assist individuals who are financially impacted by COVID-19 mitigation measures, but who are not eligible to receive unemployment or temporary disability assistance, HESAA is requesting that borrowers supplement their financial hardship application with a statement explaining how the impact of the COVID-19 virus response has caused their financial hardship. HESSA will review these applications with greater flexibility considering the impact of COVID-19. The NJCLASS loan application for financial hardship relief is available at https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/Relief%20Options/Financial%20hardship.pdf.

"As New Jerseyans observe social distancing to slow the spread of the virus, some borrowers may see an impact on their ability to repay student loans, even if they don't lose their job or become ill themselves," Socolow noted. "Financial hardship relief can help NJCLASS borrowers dealing with reduced incomes during this crisis, such as food and hospitality workers who rely on tips, small business owners, or those who rely on income from entertainment and tourism." 

Pursuant to Governor Murphy's Executive Orders, most of HESAA's staff are striving to maintain continuous operations while working remotely. Customers can continue to visit the HESAA website at www.hesaa.org and log into their account on the customer portal, and HESAA staff remain available to respond to customer questions via email at Client_Services@hesaa.org.