Take Action to Protect Your Student Loan Privacy
What’s Happening
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), currently led by Elon Musk, was established as part of a broader executive restructuring. It has been granted access to federal data, including student loan records, without proper legal authorization. This includes personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, and repayment status for millions of borrowers.
These actions appear to violate the Privacy Act of 1974 and have triggered multiple legal challenges. While the outcome of these lawsuits is still developing, it’s critical that borrowers take proactive steps to protect their data and document their concerns.
Why This Matters
Student loan borrowers across the country, including more than 1.3 million Michiganders, have a legal right to control who accesses their data. If DOGE or any outside agency obtained your information without consent, you are entitled to transparency, accountability, and written confirmation of your privacy rights.
This is not about forgiveness or repayment. It is about protecting your personal information and documenting your concern in the event of future legal action or misuse.
What You Can Do Now
Use this step-by-step toolkit to create a paper trail and formally object to unauthorized access of your data:
Step 1: File a Complaint with the FSA Feedback Center
Go to: https://studentaid.gov/feedback
Select: “Repaying My Aid” → “Dealing with My Servicer”
→ Use the complaint template in our downloadable guide
Step 2: Message Your Servicer Directly
Log in to your loan servicer portal (such as MOHELA, Nelnet, or Aidvantage)
→ Use their secure message system
→ Copy and paste the pre-written inquiry included in the toolkit
Step 3: Submit a Privacy Act Request
You have the right to know what data the U.S. Department of Education holds on you
→ Use our template to request that info via email or certified mail
→ Instructions and contacts are included in the toolkit
This is Not a Political Campaign
This toolkit is not asking you to contact your representatives or demand legislation. This is about you protecting your data and ensuring there is a recorded objection to any unauthorized access of your personal loan information.
Taking action now helps ensure your rights are protected in the event of future investigations or legal proceedings.
Submit a Complaint to the FSA Feedback Center
Instructions:
Visit the official FSA Feedback Center at https://studentaid.gov/feedback
Follow these steps to file your complaint:
Start a new complaint
For the category, choose:
“None of These”
Then select “Repaying My Aid”
Under subcategory, choose “Dealing with My Servicer”
Fill in the form using the template below
Describe the issue you have repaying your loans or grants:
I’m submitting this complaint as a federal student loan borrower who is deeply concerned about recent reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), operating under Elon Musk, may have accessed borrower data without proper legal authorization. This includes personally identifiable information held by the Department of Education.
Multiple court rulings have affirmed that this access may have violated the Privacy Act of 1974. I am concerned that my private data may have been compromised or shared without my knowledge or consent.
I am requesting transparency and accountability. I want to know if my data was shared, what protections are in place, and what remedies are available to me as a borrower.
What do you think would be a fair outcome to your issue:
I want to know if DOGE accessed my data, what was shared, how it is being protected moving forward, and what options I have. A clear response documenting this is a fair outcome.
Additional Tips:
Be sure to select your loan servicer (Nelnet, MOHELA, Aidvantage, etc.)
For other Yes or No questions, you can select “No” unless you’ve already taken those actions
You can skip the document upload section unless you are including an attachment
After submitting your message, be sure to save a copy of the confirmation and any response you receive. A screenshot or downloaded PDF can help you maintain a clear record in case future legal action or data disputes arise.
Email Template: Nelnet
Instructions:
Log into your account at nelnet.com
Go to “Help” then select “Email Us”
Under “Topic,” choose “SAVE, IDR, and Other Repayment Options”
Paste the message below in the message box
Message Template:
Hello,
I am a federal student loan borrower with Nelnet and am writing to express concern about recent reports indicating that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may have accessed borrower data without proper legal authorization.
Given recent federal court rulings related to the Privacy Act, I am seeking confirmation regarding the following:
Has any of my personal or loan-related information been shared with DOGE or its affiliates
What steps are being taken to ensure the security of borrower data
How will I be notified if my information was accessed or impacted
I would appreciate a written response and any documentation confirming whether or not my data was involved.
Thank you for your time,
After submitting your message, be sure to save a copy of the confirmation and any response you receive. A screenshot or downloaded PDF can help you maintain a clear record in case future legal action or data disputes arise.
Email Template: Mohela
Instructions:
Log into your account at mohela.com
Click “Contact Us” → Scroll down to “Securely Message Us”
Select your state, then click “Send us a message”
In your inbox, click “Email Us”
Choose “Complaint” as the topic and paste the message below
Message Template:
Hello,
I am reaching out as a federal student loan borrower serviced by MOHELA to ask whether any of my personal or loan-related data has been accessed or shared with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) or any other third-party federal agency without my consent or legal justification.
Given recent reports and court action related to privacy violations and executive orders involving federal data access, I am requesting:
Confirmation of whether my data was accessed or shared
Information about what safeguards are in place to protect borrower data
A record of any authorized data transfers involving my account
I would appreciate a written response or documentation of how MOHELA is handling this matter.
Thank you,
[Your Full Name]
After submitting your message, be sure to save a copy of the confirmation and any response you receive. A screenshot or downloaded PDF can help you maintain a clear record in case future legal action or data disputes arise.
Email Template: Privacy Act Request to the U.S. Department of Education
Send to:
Email: privacy@ed.gov (This email that was provided was no longer in use. Verified by Jordan 3/22/25.)
Mailing Address:
Privacy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Subject: Privacy Act Request – Access and Disclosure of My Student Loan Data
Message Template:
To the Privacy Office,
I am submitting this request under the Privacy Act of 1974, seeking information about what personal data the U.S. Department of Education holds on me and whether it has been disclosed to any third parties, including the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its affiliates.
Please provide the following:
A full accounting of disclosures made involving my student loan data
A list of any federal contractors, departments, or sub-agencies (including DOGE) that received my information
My full name is: [Your Full Name]
My date of birth: [MM/DD/YYYY]
I am a borrower with federal student loans through [Servicer Name]
Please let me know if you require any forms or identity verification.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email / Mailing Address / Phone Number]
[Signature if sending by mail]
After submitting your message, be sure to save a copy of the confirmation and any response you receive. A screenshot or downloaded PDF can help you maintain a clear record in case future legal action or data disputes arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DOGE and why do they have my data?
DOGE is a federal agency established under Elon Musk that has been granted access to data across departments, including the Department of Education.
Was my info hacked?
No, this is a case of government overreach, not a breach. Courts ruled that DOGE accessed protected data illegally under the Privacy Act.
Does this mean my loans are canceled?
Not at this time. But widespread legal and public pressure could lead to accountability or relief options in the future.
Can I join a lawsuit?
Yes, multiple are in progress. Check classaction.org or reach out to organizations like the ACLU or the Student Borrower Protection Center. (Scroll further down for more information!)
How do I know if DOGE accessed my info?
The only way to find out is to file a Privacy Act request. There’s no public list of affected borrowers.
Could this affect my credit?
There’s no current evidence of identity theft, but it’s smart to monitor your credit, freeze accounts, and update your passwords as a precaution.
What’s Happening
A federal class action lawsuit has been filed against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for unlawfully accessing taxpayer data stored in federal databases. The suit, Gribbon et al. v. Musk et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in February 2025. It alleges that DOGE accessed sensitive personal and financial information — including student loan data — without proper legal authorization, violating the Privacy Act of 1974.
The plaintiffs argue that Musk and DOGE must be held financially accountable for this breach of privacy and the unlawful use of government systems.
Why It Matters
If you are a federal student loan borrower, a SNAP or Medicaid recipient, a public employee, or anyone whose information may be stored in federal systems, you could be affected by this case. Participating in a class action lawsuit helps establish accountability and creates a record of harm.
What You Can Do
Monitor the case for updates through classaction.org or public court records.
Sign up for alerts on that page to be notified if class members are being contacted.
File a Privacy Act request now (template above) to create documentation in case you are later included in a class.
Save copies of your servicer correspondence, FSA complaints, and Privacy Act submissions to help support any future claim.
Credible Sources
These are the most reliable sources for student loan policy updates and legal developments:
Official Government Sites:
Trusted News Outlets:
Policy Watchdogs & Think Tanks:
