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Civic Nation

Assist in Student Debt Informational Clinic on 3/9/24

Empower student loan borrowers by helping them navigate the federal student loan system.

Posted February 7, 2024

Background & Context

Student loan borrowers need help accessing timely support, often encountering long wait times or being left without assistance, especially on weekends. Many are also unaware of how to access crucial loan information.

This year, Civic Nation is launching in-person student loan clinics to empower borrowers with the information they need to navigate the student loan system. Our clinic in Atlanta is on March 9th.

To make this initiative a success, we’re looking for volunteer lawyers to support Federal Student Aid facilitators in guiding borrowers, disseminating student loan repayment information, and helping borrowers in real-time manage their return-to-repayment options.

You have been through the student loan maze yourself and know all about the complexities that come with it. Plus, you’re good at understanding complicated systems and rules, so you can explain things in a way that's easy to understand for borrowers. You will not be providing legal advice, as our main focus is to give clear and accurate explanations of loan terms and processes. What we want is to offer guidance and support, especially when it comes to return-to-repayment options and borrower rights.

While volunteers like you will play a crucial role in guiding and supporting attendees, Federal Student Aid (FSA) will lead the charge at the clinic. If you have any questions or if something feels a bit out of your wheelhouse, help and guidance will always be readily available. We want to ensure you feel confident and equipped to make a positive impact, knowing you're part of a well-supported team dedicated to empowering student loan borrowers.

Immediate Problem

Amidst the resumption of student loan repayments, many borrowers lack accessible guidance and struggle to manage their loan obligations. Our immediate goal is to introduce an in-person student loan clinic in the ATL area, offering assistance and clear information to borrowers.

Work & Deliverables

Pre-Clinic Training

Participate in two mandatory one-hour virtual trainings on student loans led by Federal Student Aid on March 5th and March 7th at 6:30pm ET.

In-Clinic Support

Arrive at IBEW Local 613, located at 501 Pulliam St SW, Atlanta, GA 30312, by 12:30 PM ET on Saturday, March 9th.

For the first 45 minutes of the clinic, attend the borrower training and Q&A session led by an FSA expert. This will be a valuable opportunity to gain insights that will be beneficial for your active role in the Help Session.

For the next 60 minutes, engage in one-on-one support with borrowers during the Help Session. You will guide them through their repayment options and ensure they have the information needed to make informed decisions about their student loans. Federal Student Aid experts will be onsite to answer any questions.

Feedback Gathering

Help distribute and collect surveys from attendees at the end of the clinic to gather feedback for future sessions.

Participate in a debrief session after the clinics end.

Close out by 4:30 pm ET.

Project Plan

Preparation Phase

  • Participate in two mandatory one-hour virtual trainings on March 5th and 7th at 6:30pm ET.

Collaboration Phase

  • For the first 45 minutes of the clinic, attend the borrower training and Q&A session led by FSA.
  • For the next 60 minutes, provide one-on-one support to borrowers during the Help Session.

Wrap Up

  • Participate in a debrief session after the clinic ends.

This project is complete!

This project has been completed thanks to the efforts of our volunteers.

Visit the Project Directory to check out other projects that still need your help!

Additional Information

  • Time Commitment: 6-10 hours
  • Training Provided: Yes
  • Additional Training Details: Required to watch a two-hour recorded training.
  • Site-Preference: On-Site
  • Open to Law Students: Yes
  • Bar License(s) required: Any Bar License
  • Required Languages: None
  • Preferred Languages: Spanish
  • Required Legal Expertise: None
  • Preferred Legal Expertise: Education Law
  • Deliverables Due: March 9, 2024
  • Mentoring Provided: Yes
  • Supervision Provided: Yes

Locations

  • IBEW Local 613
  • 501 Pulliam St SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30312
Civic Nation

Civic Nation is non-partisan, non-profit ecosystem for high impact organizing and education initiatives. At Civic Nation, we work to change culture, behavior, systems and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders and influencers to tackle our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Our powerful central infrastructure draws on deep expertise in grassroots organizing, data and analytics, and creative communications and marketing in order to maximize the impact of our initiatives.

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