The U.S. Department of Education will start notifying defaulted federal student‑loan borrowers in early January that their wages can be garnished, the agency said this month. The first wave of about 1,000 notices is scheduled the week of Jan. 7, with collections expanding in scale thereafter. The action follows the end of pandemic-era flexibilities and a series of policy changes this year that restarted referrals to collections. The move has prompted public criticism from borrower‑advocacy groups who argue the government has not provided enough affordable repayment pathways, and legal questions remain for borrowers who have pending relief claims. What happened: ED resumed active enforcement of collections for loans in default and will use wage garnishment as a tool. Who’s involved: U.S. Department of Education; Student Borrower Protection Center and advocacy groups. Sources: Department statements and Associated Press reporting.