If your loan servicer has ever misinformed you, lost your paperwork, or delayed your forgiveness progress—you’re not alone. In 2025, student loan confusion is at an all-time high, and more borrowers are turning to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for answers. But what exactly does the CFPB do—and when should you involve the student loan lawyers at Kaplan Law Firm instead?
Let’s break it down.
What Is the CFPB and Why Does It Matter?
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a federal agency created to protect consumers in financial markets—including those with federal student loans. Since its founding in 2010, the CFPB has been tasked with holding financial institutions accountable for unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.
If you’re dealing with student loan repayment issues in 2025, chances are the CFPB is part of the conversation—especially as loan servicers face renewed scrutiny and borrower complaints are on the rise.
How the CFPB Supports Student Loan Borrowers
The CFPB’s role in the student loan system has grown more significant in recent years. Here’s how the agency helps:
- Monitors Servicers: The CFPB oversees companies like MOHELA and Nelnet to ensure they’re complying with federal regulations.
- Investigates Misconduct: If a servicer misleads borrowers, delays student loan forgiveness processing, or mishandles income-driven repayment plans, the CFPB can step in.
- Processes Complaints: Borrowers can submit a complaint directly on the CFPB website, and many receive a response within 15 days.
- Publishes Consumer Alerts: The agency frequently issues warnings about new scams, loan errors, or misleading forbearance offers.
While the CFPB doesn’t provide legal representation, its oversight powers and public resources make it a valuable line of defense for borrowers.
What’s New in 2025
With the SAVE Plan gone and millions of borrowers resuming payments after the pandemic pause, the student loan system is under stress—and so is the CFPB. Here’s what’s happening now:
- More Complaints: The CFPB has seen a surge in borrower complaints in early 2025, particularly around repayment plan confusion, lost forgiveness credits, and incorrect balances.
- Servicer Oversight: The Bureau has launched new investigations into how servicers are handling PSLF, income-driven repayment adjustments, and recertifications.
- Collaboration with ED: The CFPB and Department of Education are sharing data to hold servicers accountable and improve borrower communication.
These developments show that federal student loan oversight is tightening—but for borrowers caught in the middle, waiting on systemic fixes often isn’t fast enough.
When to Use the CFPB—And When You Need a Student Loan Lawyer
The CFPB can be incredibly useful—but it has limits. It’s not a substitute for legal help if you’re facing serious financial consequences or need a custom solution.
Use the CFPB if:
- You want to file a complaint against your servicer
- You need clarity on your borrower rights
- You’re experiencing repeated customer service issues
Call Kaplan Law Firm if:
- You’ve lost time or money due to servicer errors
- You’re facing collections, wage garnishment, or default
- You’ve hit a wall trying to qualify for student loan forgiveness or get credit for past payments
- You’re confused about which student loan repayment strategy is best for your situation
At Kaplan Law Firm, we go beyond surface-level support—we offer legal strategies that help you protect your finances and your future.
How to Protect Yourself as a Borrower in 2025
The student loan system is complicated. Even when you’re doing everything right, miscommunication, outdated records, and shifting policies can derail your progress.
Here are some proactive steps you can take:
- Document everything: Keep screenshots and copies of any correspondence with your loan servicer.
- Monitor your account regularly: Don’t assume your balance or payment count is accurate.
- Don’t rely solely on your servicer: Their advice may not always reflect your best interests.
- Know when to escalate: If you’re hitting a wall, file a CFPB complaint—and if that doesn’t work, get legal help.
Final Thoughts: Use Every Tool Available
The CFPB plays an important role in protecting borrowers—but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. In a year like 2025, where student loan forgiveness rules are evolving and new lawsuits are reshaping repayment programs, borrowers need more than oversight—they need a plan.
If you’ve been mistreated by your loan servicer, or you simply want to get ahead of the chaos, Kaplan Law Firm is here to help. We’ve helped clients secure over $22 million in loan forgiveness—and we’re just getting started.
Schedule your consultation today and let’s create a strategy that works for you.
