PPSL wants to hear from borrowers who applied for borrower defense **after** November 15, 2022 (the last day to be covered by the *Sweet* settlement) **and have recently received a denial.**   

**If you submitted a “post-*****Sweet*****” borrower defense application and have recently received a denial, we encourage you to complete our intake** [**here**](https://www.ppsl.org/get-help)**.** Although we cannot respond to every survey, your response will help us further investigate this issue. You can learn more below ⬇️

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**Borrower Defense After** ***Sweet*** 

The *Sweet v. McMahon* settlement resolved borrower defense applications filed before November 16, 2022, but the borrower defense process didn't end there. According to the Department of Education, more than 200,000 post-*Sweet* borrower defense applications remained pending as of January 2026. (Please note, post-*Sweet* is NOT the same as *Sweet* post-class! To understand the difference, please see our *Sweet* [FAQs](https://u47765431.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.XW0KmT-2B7H2ayp2606CejJosxMhm22HHI5Zr0zObk7whKnDBmuQ-2F-2BNGDfD2y-2F5sdpVW-2FplUTExJbMzwAdctAkpg-3D-3DDtts_ml9eSQ9L8mAfhOw1qaNcH3IWPgbWf0ocoq9UJWzSNOjvDlla2HWpoIaFs0VnkgQCFDaS6AffKZncR7IB6L38zsx3kz-2FjCLHFu08S6ZwZuy-2Bju-2F70O3fMsXCDmQi1ukcm9r8loPqrJ4JJsWdLyVrXfQB4pxcnHT12kRDex1MZoRBQ5WSDR26tVp54I0O5YQpy-2FGJZSQTHJbC0lW2nZTX6YfjF1nzjGenDVxC2kX9-2BXQSFttaGrobm4alaDGpYNA3f4vXTfV04ryDIz21yT6J0-2FvMmB5ddZ5qQE5TAWbfzXXcJ82GAWg5mpF6gPLkUDXDYNoGp9vav2RiLos5l8NnvySE-2BQpzhoYmICNmqLN4SmYNlif4AEhfER3MnYMbpN3AVUMwrQcowUNmJ7ou7jlR2XtYbhiytaR7djLxhWu70Ko1IxP72-2BeGNGNmCFDnR-2BRpyDgJUOHVXtdSMOt2sWE3RDZTXCNCY-2BINaPxXhmJQQZBEZdhptswrm2GJK4uWRbGYMkcKKm-2FvtEm-2FvOOvvAXcEDUP6fOjXXkIPEzqn2NoDkvaOK31dq1u-2FmYk3Q7fTAVIWHxdBLNCPha1lzlkBKyp-2Fbv7lgv83cssBP1I-2BauPcK4-2Bpu2373Be9m1eiYjmNoEa-2FkKYz6w9AfBt6B9WJukAxI0ZM9l7yGWYd8Pm8RoNEaXjU4w6-2B5UnnJXyCkslBac4JKQ4XvMUz7IiuhfHVcnrZ61b4Pq3sw3KyXaVCdzQWB250cp4QUY6SPjD77VaYtPXE).)  

After years with little movement, we have recently seen the Department begin issuing denials on these post-*Sweet* applications. So far, PPSL has not heard from borrowers whose post-*Sweet* applications have been approved in 2026.  

Depending on when your federal loans were disbursed — and in some cases whether you later consolidated them — your application may be evaluated under the 1995, 2016, or 2019 borrower defense regulations. Those rules have very [different standards for relief](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62d6e418e8d8517940207135/t/6a43c86ff576fc25f328565f/1782827119758/How+will+the+Department+decide+whether+to+grant+my+application_+-+FAQ+Table.pdf), including different evidentiary requirements and, under the 2019 regulations, a three-year statute of limitations. You can learn more at our [borrower defense FAQs](https://www.ppsl.org/borrower-defense-faqs).  

Many recent denials appear to involve borrowers who consolidated their loans after July 1, 2020, which the Department is interpreting to mean that the stricter 2019 regulations apply — even when the underlying loans were much older.  

We believe these denials are unfair and are exploring multiple avenues to address them. As part of our investigation, PPSL is [looking to hear from borrowers](https://www.ppsl.org/get-help) who have received recent denials. Please note that our investigation remains in an exploratory phase.  

⚠️ Action Alert: Recent Borrower Defense Denials