The Department of Education announced it will begin garnishing wages of federal student‑loan borrowers in default, sending notices to roughly 1,000 borrowers the week of Jan. 7 and scaling up collections thereafter. Officials said collections will proceed only after 30‑day notice windows and opportunities to resolve delinquency. Millions of borrowers are classified as in default — past 270 days of nonpayment — and advocacy groups warn widespread garnishments could have broad financial and enrollment impacts. The department resumed collection referrals after ending the pandemic pause and a subsequent grace period, and this step marks a renewed enforcement phase. Student‑affairs leaders, financial‑aid offices, and alumni relations teams are bracing for heightened borrower distress, potential increases in default‑related holds, and reputational risk for institutions whose alumni face garnishment. Borrower‑advocacy groups have called the policy "cruel, unnecessary and irresponsible," and several legal challenges to related policy changes remain active.