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Massachusetts

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 14, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Massachusetts, we recommend that you visit the state's COVID-19 Updates and Information website, COVID-19 State of Emergency resources or MassTrac's list of bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Description of Program and Relief

Deferment of Student-Loan Repayments for Loans from the Massachusetts No-Interest Student Loan Program

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) is deferring scheduled repayments through its No-Interest Loan Program (serviced by Heartland-ECSI) for a period of four months. This forbearance includes the following measures:

  • All Massachusetts No Interest Loan accounts that are currently in repayment with ECSI will automatically be placed in a deferment from April 2020 through July 2020.

  • Accounts will not be charged late fees from April 1, 2020–July 31, 2020.

  • ECSI reports to the credit bureau the last day of each month. DHE has updated all credit bureau reporting from March 31, 2020 to July 31, 2020 to reflect accounts are in a deferment status. Regular credit bureau reporting will resume at the end of August 2020.

  • Accounts that are currently 120 days past due will not be placed into collections until August 2020.

Government or Lead Agency

Department of Higher Education

Office of Student Financial Assistance

Dates Available

Effective immediately

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Not applicable

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Not applicable

Contact for More Information

Students with questions or concerns regarding their No-Interest Loan accounts are advised to contact Department of Higher Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 or Heartland-ECSI at 1-888-549-3274.

List of Additional Information

Additional details may be found here.


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