Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP): Free Student Loan Help Explained

What the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program is

EDCAP is a specific program in New York State. The Community Service Society of New York, a long-standing nonprofit, created it in 2019 with support from the state. CSS describes it as free, confidential, and unbiased help for New Yorkers with student debt. The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), which licenses student loan servicers in the state, describes EDCAP on its student protection page as an independent, nonprofit program that helps New Yorkers navigate the student loan system.

EDCAP works on a “hub and spokes” model. CSS runs the central helpline, and partner community organizations in different regions serve borrowers locally. A 2022 CSS announcement said ten community-based organizations had joined the network, with the goal of serving every county in the state.

Some websites describe “education debt consumer assistance programs” as if they were a nationwide service available everywhere. That is not accurate. EDCAP is New York’s program. Other states may have their own student loan ombudsman or advocate, usually in a state banking department or attorney general’s office, but they go by different names and offer different services.

EDCAP also does not lend money, forgive loans, or make payments for you. What it does is help you use the options that already exist, such as income-driven repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or getting out of default, and help you push back when a servicer makes a mistake.

Who can use EDCAP

EDCAP serves New Yorkers with education debt. According to CSS and DFS, that includes:

• Borrowers with federal student loans, such as Direct Loans, older FFEL loans, and Parent PLUS loans.
• Borrowers with private student loans from banks, credit unions, or other lenders.
• People in default or facing wage garnishment, tax refund offsets, or Social Security offsets.
• Students and families planning how to borrow for college.

The service is free. EDCAP’s site does not list an income limit. If you are not sure whether you qualify, call the helpline and ask.

What counselors can help with

CSS lists these services, delivered one-on-one by an EDCAP financial coach:

• Choosing the best repayment option for your income and goals.
• Applying for forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness and disability discharge.
• Applying for consolidation, deferment, and forbearance.
• Resolving problems with loan servicers and lenders, including filing complaints.
• Getting out of default to stop wage garnishment, Social Security offsets, and tax refund intercepts.
• Referrals to other services, such as legal help.

The EDCAP website also offers webinars, guides on borrowing for college, and calculators for repayment and payoff planning. To see how extra payments change your own payoff date, you can also try our student loan payoff calculator.

How to reach EDCAP

EDCAP’s website, edcapny.org, lists these ways to get help:

Before your session, gather your loan details. For federal loans, log in to StudentAid.gov to see each loan, its type, balance, and servicer. For private loans, have your latest statements. Also bring recent pay stubs or your tax return, and any letters about default or garnishment. That lets the counselor give you specific answers in the first call.

Federal student loan options to know about

Most of what a counselor will walk you through comes from the federal programs on StudentAid.gov. Federal rules changed in 2025 and 2026, so it helps to know the basics before you call:

• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). A new income-driven plan that opened July 1, 2026.
• SAVE has ended. Borrowers who were on SAVE need to choose another plan.
• Older loans. Borrowers with loans made before July 1, 2026 generally have until July 1, 2028 to move to RAP, the new standard plan, or Income-Based Repayment.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Still forgives remaining Direct Loan balances after 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a qualifying employer.
• Discharges. Total and permanent disability, closed school, and borrower defense discharges are listed on StudentAid.gov’s forgiveness and cancellation page.
• Default. Federal loans in default can lead to wage garnishment and offsets of tax refunds and some federal benefits. Rehabilitation and consolidation are the usual ways out. Rules have been changing, so check StudentAid.gov’s default page for the current steps.

The Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov estimates payments under each plan. Our guide to free government debt relief programs covers these changes in more detail.

Is there an EDCAP outside New York?

No. There is no national Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program. If you do not live in New York, you can still get free, trustworthy help:

• Your loan servicer. Servicers handle enrollment in repayment plans, deferment, and forbearance at no charge. StudentAid.gov lists the federal loan servicers and how to find yours.
• StudentAid.gov feedback and disputes. If a servicer is not fixing a problem, you can file a complaint through the Federal Student Aid feedback center.
• The CFPB. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about both federal and private student loan servicers.
• Nonprofit credit counseling. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling lists student loan debt as one of its counseling areas. Reach it at 877-360-6322.
• Your state. Some states have a student loan ombudsman or borrower advocate. Search your state banking department or attorney general’s website.
• Legal aid. For default, garnishment, or school fraud issues, a local legal aid office may help for free if you qualify.

Where to get free student loan help

New Yorkers whose servicer will not fix a problem can also file a complaint with DFS, since DFS licenses servicers of loans held by New York borrowers.

Avoiding student loan relief scams

Student loan borrowers get a lot of calls and texts from companies offering “forgiveness” or “consolidation” for a fee. The New York DFS reminds borrowers that you do not need to pay to enroll in the many federal borrower assistance programs. Watch for these red flags:

• Upfront or monthly fees to apply for federal plans or forgiveness.
• Requests for your FSA ID or password. Never share it.
• Claims of a special “EDCAP” or government program available only through them.
• Pressure to stop talking to your servicer or to redirect your payments.
• Promises of instant or guaranteed loan cancellation.

EDCAP itself is free. If a company uses the EDCAP name and asks for money, it is not EDCAP.

Getting help, step by step

1. List your loans. Log in to StudentAid.gov for federal loans and gather private loan statements.
2. Note your problem. High payment, default, PSLF questions, a servicer error, or planning to borrow.
3. If you live in New York, call EDCAP at (888) 614-5004 or book online at edcapny.org.
4. If you live elsewhere, contact your servicer and an NFCC counselor, and check for a state student loan ombudsman.
5. Run the Loan Simulator to compare federal plans before you choose.
6. Keep records of every call, form, and letter, with dates.
7. File a complaint with FSA, the CFPB, or DFS (New York) if a problem is not fixed.

Related guides

• Student loan forgiveness programs
• Debt relief for private student loans
• Emergency cash assistance for college students
• Debt forgiveness programs for senior citizens

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. EDCAP services and hours are set by the Community Service Society of New York, and federal student loan rules are set by the U.S. Department of Education. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with EDCAP, the Community Service Society, New York State, or any government agency.