Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG)

Trellis Company’s Role

On behalf of the federal government, agencies such as Trellis Company handle the administration of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), including claim payment, compliance with regulations, and collection of defaulted student loans. When a student fails to repay a FFELP loan and the loan enters default (becomes 270 days past due), the holder of the loan files a claim with Trellis to cover the amount. Trellis examines the claim and pays the holder if the claim was properly serviced. Once a claim is paid, Trellis files for reinsurance with the U.S. Department of Education. At the same time, Trellis begins collection efforts which may include the withholding of wages.

Legislative Authority for AWG

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act (P. L. 102-164, as amended by Public Law 109-171, 20 U.S.C. 1095a et seq.) allows Trellis to garnish up to 15% of the debtor’s disposable pay or the amount permitted by 15 U.S.C. 1673, unless the debtor provides Trellis with written consent to deduct a greater amount. Employers must garnish an employee’s earnings until the defaulted loan has been repaid in full, or until notified by Trellis to discontinue withholding. This law supersedes any state’s laws governing wage garnishment.

Procedure for Employers

  1. Read the Order of Withholding from Earnings (Order). It contains the instructions on how to withhold and pay the required amounts.
  2. Calculate and deduct the amount to be withheld from the debtor’s pay for the first pay period that occurs after the employer receives the Order. Deductions should occur at every pay period, whether weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly.
  3. Remittance can be sent to Trellis anytime after the deduction is taken, but must be sent at least once each month.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 each payday.

Download the AWG Employer Handbook for detailed information on the following topics and more:

  • Amount of withholding
  • How to remit withheld earnings
  • Multiple garnishments
  • When to stop withholding
  • Employer compliance

Inquiries about the AWG process may be submitted by mail, phone, or email:

Mail
Trellis Borrower Services
P.O. Box 83100
Round Rock, TX 78683-3100

Phone
(512) 908-4125

Fax
(512) 336-6643

Email
borrowerservices@trelliscompany.org

For additional information regarding Trellis’ authority, you may also contact the U.S. Department of Education
at (800) 872-5327.