The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Student (HEROS) Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Education to waive or modify certain regulations, when needed, to ensure affected borrowers are protected while
- Serving on active duty during a ware or other military operation are national emergency.
- Residing or employed in an area that is declared a disaster area by any federal, state, or local official in connection with a national emergency.
- Suffering economic hardship as a direct result of a war or valid contingency operation or national emergency, as determined by the Department of Education.
The HEROS Act allows a waiver of certain documentation requirements attached to federal student loans.
For instance, if you are enrolled in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan and your military service prevents you from providing updated information on your family size and come, you or your representative can request to have the IDR Monthly Payment Account maintained without rectifying your plan information.
The HEROS Act also allows for extensions of your federal loan status.
Your loan status will remain in effect if you’re called to qualifying active duty during your grace period or while in-school or graduate fellowship deferment.