Overview
Earnest is a leading fintech lender specializing in private student loan refinancing and is a subsidiary of Navient. When a borrower passes away, Earnest has a policy to discharge (forgive) the remaining student loan balance, meaning the estate or family members are typically not responsible for the debt.
This guide covers the process for notifying Earnest of a death, submitting the required proof, and confirming the loan discharge.
Note on Federal Loans: If the deceased had federal student loans previously serviced by Navient, these accounts may have been transferred to Aidvantage or MOHELA. You will need to contact the specific federal servicer separately.
This guide provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice, and SwiftProbate is not a law firm. Laws and institutional procedures change — verify current requirements directly with Earnest and consider consulting a qualified attorney.
Notification Process
How to Notify Earnest of a Death
Step 1: Gather Initial Information
Before contacting Earnest, have the following ready:
- Decedent's full legal name and date of birth
- Social Security number
- Loan account number (if known)
- Your name and relationship to the decedent
- A certified copy of the death certificate
Step 2: Call Client Happiness (Support)
Earnest handles death notifications through their main support line.
- Phone: (888) 601-2801
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 6 AM – 5 PM PT (9 AM – 8 PM ET)
When you speak with a representative:
- Inform them that the borrower has passed away.
- Request that the account be placed in administrative forbearance (this pauses payments while the discharge is processed).
- Ask for the specific case number or reference ID for your call.
Step 3: Submit the Death Certificate
To finalize the loan discharge, you must submit proof of death.
Mail the certified death certificate to:
Earnest
PO Box 9250
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18773-9250
Tip: Include a cover letter with the borrower's name, account number, and your contact information.
Step 4: Confirmation of Discharge
Once Earnest receives and verifies the death certificate, they will process the discharge. You should receive a confirmation letter stating that the loan balance has been waived and the account is closed.
- Processing Time: Typically 30–60 days after receipt of documents.
Required Documents
Documents Earnest Requires
The primary document required to discharge a student loan is the death certificate.
Always Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Certified death certificate | Must be an original certified copy or a clear photocopy (verify with agent if photocopy is acceptable) |
| Cover letter | Include borrower's name, DOB, SSN, and your contact info |
If There Is a Cosigner
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Cosigner release request | If the primary borrower dies, the cosigner is often released from liability, but this must be confirmed with Earnest directly. |
Account Types
How Earnest Handles Different Account Types
Private Student Loans (Refinanced & In-School)
Earnest's policy is to discharge 100% of the loan balance if the primary borrower dies. This applies to both refinanced loans and private in-school loans. The debt is not passed on to the estate or family members.
Timeline: {30–60 days}
Cosigned Loans
If the primary borrower dies, the loan is typically discharged, and the cosigner is released from responsibility.
If the cosigner dies, the primary borrower is usually still responsible for the loan, but the "automatic default" clause (where the loan becomes due immediately) is rarely enforced by reputable lenders like Earnest. You should contact them to remove the deceased cosigner from the account.
Timeline: {30–60 days}
Navient Federal Loans (Legacy)
If the deceased held federal loans serviced by Navient, these have likely moved to Aidvantage or MOHELA. Federal student loans are eligible for Death Discharge by law. You must contact the current federal servicer to initiate this process.
Timeline: {30–90 days}
State Considerations
How Your State Affects the Earnest Process
While Earnest's discharge policy is national, state laws regarding probate and community property can influence other debts.
- Community Property States: In states like CA, TX, and AZ, debts incurred during marriage might be considered shared. However, since Earnest discharges the debt upon death, this is rarely an issue for these specific loans.
- Estate Claims: If for any reason the loan is not discharged (rare), the lender would have to file a claim against the estate within the state's creditor claim period.
Key State Variations
| State | Creditor Claim Period | Community Property? |
|---|---|---|
| California | 4 months | Yes |
| Texas | 4 months | Yes |
| Florida | 3 months | No |
| New York | 7 months | No |
For detailed probate requirements, see our state and county probate guides.
Timelines
How Long Earnest Takes to Discharge Loans
| Account Type | Estimated Timeline | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Private Student Loan | {30–60 days} | Receipt of death certificate |
| Cosigner Release | {30–60 days} | Verification of death |
| Federal Loan (via Servicer) | {30–90 days} | Government processing times |
Note: Payments should stop immediately once the administrative forbearance is applied during the initial call.
Tips & Pitfalls
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Stop Auto-Pay Immediately
While the death notification should freeze the account, you should manually cancel any automatic payments from the deceased's bank account to prevent overdrafts or accidental payments.
Do Not Make Voluntary Payments
Since Earnest discharges loans upon death, do not make payments from the estate or your own funds after the borrower's death. These funds may be difficult to recover later.
Check for "NaviRefi" Loans
Earnest previously operated under the "NaviRefi" brand for some Navient refinancing products. These are handled through the same Earnest support channels.
Keep the Case Number
Always write down the case number or reference ID provided by the support agent. This allows you to track the status of the discharge without starting over.