A-G forms student debt advisory group

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COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced the formation of the Attorney General’s Advisory Group on Student Loan Debt Collection.

“Most students pay their student debts responsibly,” DeWine said. “However, when accounts are unpaid, we have a statutory obligation to collect this debt on behalf of public universities.”

The attorney general said the new group will take an in-depth look at all aspects of student loan debt collection, from what happens at a school to what happens as debt collection proceeds, to help make sure Ohio’s practices are thorough, transparent, and fair.

DeWine created the external advisory group to examine issues regarding debt collection practices for unpaid student loans at Ohio public colleges and universities, including:

• The uniformity of university policies, fees, and penalties regarding unpaid accounts.
• Whether students are being adequately educated regarding all responsibilities when taking student loans.
• The university certification process for student debt accounts.
• Student debt collection and litigation processes within the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

The first meeting of the group will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 29, at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in Columbus.