The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) central database for federal student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data.

Source of information

The loans and grants listed on the NSLDS web site have been reported from different sources. In general, the agency that authorized the aid award is responsible for reporting aid information to NSLDS. Stafford loans are reported by guaranty agencies, Direct loans are reported by the Direct Loan Servicing Center, Perkins loans are reported by schools (or their agent), and grants are reported by the U.S. Department of Education's Common Origination and Disbursement System.

New loans are reported to NSLDS within 30 days of funds being received. The outstanding principal balance listed by NSLDS may be as much as 120 days old. Borrowers should contact their loan servicer

Loan servicer

A loan servicer is a public or private entity that collects, monitors and reports loan payments, handles property tax, insurance escrows and late payments, forecloses defaulted loans, and remits payments....

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