The U.S. Department of Education will begin sending wage‑garnishment notices to defaulted federal student‑loan borrowers the week of Jan. 7, marking a return to aggressive collections after pandemic-era pauses. The department said initial notices will go to about 1,000 borrowers, with collections scaled up in the months ahead. Advocacy groups including the Student Borrower Protection Center criticized the move, warning of severe financial strain for low‑income families. The change follows the end of the Biden‑era moratorium and a policy shift under the current administration to restart collections and use federal offsets. The department says garnishment will proceed only after 30 days’ notice and opportunities to repay, but critics cite limited outreach and concerns that wage garnishment will deepen economic hardship. Why it matters: universities, alumni offices and financial‑aid counselors can expect upticks in borrower distress calls and potential reputational consequences as former students face payroll garnishment. The policy also intersects with broader debates over loan forgiveness, federal enforcement priorities and institutional responsibilities for borrower counseling.