Skip to main content

What do I do if I think a student loan lender discriminated against me?

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, it is illegal for a creditor or lender to discriminate against an applicant based on several factors. Here’s what to do if you think a lender discriminated against you.

Submit a complaint with the CFPB

If you believe a lender has discriminated against you for any reason, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). You’ll need the dates, amounts, and other details about your complaint before submitting. We’ll provide you a way to monitor the status and progress of your complaint.

A lender cannot discriminate against you based on your:

  • Race
  • Color
  • Religion
  • National origin
  • Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)
  • Marital status
  • Age (if you are old enough to enter into a contract)
  • Receipt of income from any public assistance program

A lender also cannot discriminate against you if you’re exercising, in good faith, a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, which includes consumer protection statutes relating to credit. State or local law may prohibit discrimination on additional grounds.

A creditor or lender may not use any of these factors as a reason to:

  • Refuse you credit if you qualify for it
  • Discourage you from applying for credit
  • Provide you credit on terms that are different from the terms given to someone else who is similarly situated to you, such as having similar creditworthiness
  • Close your existing account

Learn more about fair lending and how to protect yourself from credit discrimination.