Welcome to the Student Loan Ombudsman - Financial Regulation

(Last reviewed or updated: July 31, 2023)

About the Ombudsman

The Financial Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (2018 Md. Laws 732) (“Act”) established a Student Loan Ombudsman (“Ombudsman”) designated by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation. The Act requires the Ombudsman to monitor student loan servicing activity in Maryland, and sets forth various duties of the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman will serve as a liaison between student loan borrowers and student loan servicers. The Act requires student loan servicers operating in Maryland to: (a) designate an individual to represent the student loan servicer in communications with the Ombudsman, and (b) provide the designee’s name, phone number, and e-mail address to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman will receive and review complaints from student loan borrowers and attempt to resolve those complaints. The Ombudsman may refer any matter that is abusive, unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General for civil enforcement or criminal prosecution.

Resources for Student Loan Borrowers

• If you have a complaint about your student loan servicer, visit the student loan servicer complaints pageto determine how to address your issue directly with your servicer or the U.S. Department of Education, and how to file a complaint with the Ombudsman.
• Read the Maryland Student Loan Borrower’s Bill of Rights.
• Access the Ombudsman’s Student Loan Educational Curriculum and additional educational resources.
• Listen to the Ombudsman’s interview on WYPR (January 20, 2022).
• Download our Student Loan Ombudsman brochure
• Download the current Student Loan Ombudsman Annual Report to learn about the activities of the Ombudsman and the environment of student loan servicing nationally and in Maryland. See the Publications page for Student Loan Ombudsman Reports from prior years.

Resources for Student Loan Servicers

• Designated Representative – General Information, Designee Form, and Definitions
• Frequently Asked Questions for Student Loan Servicers
• Student Loan Servicer Prohibited Conduct and Responding to Borrower Inquiries

Ombudsman Contact Information

Student Loan Ombudsman
Office of Financial Regulation
Maryland Department of Labor
1100 North Eutaw Street, Suite 611
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: 410-230-6077
Toll-free: 1-888-784-0136
By e-mail: studentloan.ombudsman@maryland.gov