Lead: The U.S. Department of Education has restarted federal wage garnishment for borrowers in default, signaling a significant shift in post‑pandemic collections policy that will affect millions. The department has begun sending garnishment notices to defaulted borrowers—those 270+ days delinquent—exposing them to administrative wage garnishment of up to 15% of disposable pay. Officials say collections will scale up this year as more accounts roll into enforced collections; roughly 5.3 million borrowers are currently in default and at risk. Why it matters: Renewed garnishments will hit financially vulnerable alumni and may complicate recruitment, retention, and alumni relations strategies as defaulted borrowers face income shocks. Financial‑aid offices and career services should prepare expanded counseling and repayment education to mitigate borrower harm and institutional reputational risk.