Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015

To increase students’ and borrowers’ access to student loan information within the National Student Loan Data System. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015 2. Amendment to the Truth in Lending Act (a) In general Section 128(e) of the Truth in Lending Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1638(e) (12) National Student Loan Data System (A) In general Each private educational lender shall— (i) submit to the Secretary of Education for inclusion in the National Student Loan Data System established under section 485B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1092b (ii) in carrying out clause (i), ensure the privacy of private education loan borrowers. (B) Information to be submitted The information regarding private education loans required under subparagraph (A) to be included in the National Student Loan Data System shall include the following if determined appropriate by the Secretary of Education: (i) The total amount and type of each such loan made, including out­stand­ing interest and outstanding principal on such loan. (ii) The interest rate of each such loan made. (iii) Information regarding the borrower that the Secretary of Education determines is necessary to ensure the electronic exchange of data between borrowers of private education loans and the System. (iv) Information, including contact information, regarding the lender that owns the loan. (v) Information, including contact information, regarding the servicer that is handling the loan. (vi) Information concerning the date of any default on the loan and the collection of the loan, including any information concerning the repayment status of any defaulted loan. (vii) Information regarding any deferment or forbearance granted on the loan. (viii) The date of the completion of repayment by the borrower of the loan. (ix) Any other information determined by the Secretary of Education to be necessary for the operation of the National Student Loan Data System. (C) Update Each private educational lender shall update the information regarding private education loans required under subparagraph (A) to be included in the National Student Loan Data System on the same schedule as information is updated under the System under section 485B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1092b . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to private education loans that were made for the 2011–2012 academic year or later. 3. Amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965 Section 485B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1092b (i) Private education loans (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015 15 U.S.C. 1638(e)(12) (2) Cosigner Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall ensure that any cosigner of a private education loan for which information is included in the National Student Loan Data System— (A) is able to access the information in such System with respect to such private education loan in a separate account for such cosigner; and (B) does not have access to any information in such System with respect to any loan for which the cosigner has not cosigned. (3) Privacy The Secretary shall ensure that a private educational lender— (A) has access to the National Student Loan Data System only to submit information for such System regarding the private education loans of such lender; and (B) may not see information in the System regarding the loans of any other lender. (j) Repayment options Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015 .

Summary: Simplifying Access to Student Loan Information Act of 2015 Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require private educational lenders to submit to the Secretary of Education information regarding each private education loan they make. Requires that such information: (1) be placed in the National Student Loan Data System (System), and (2) allow for the electronic exchange of data between the borrowers of those loans and the System. (The System currently contains information regarding loans made, insured, or guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan program and loans made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan and Federal Perkins Loan programs.) Requires the private education loan information to include, if determined appropriate by the Secretary: the total amount and type of each loan; the interest rate on each loan; information regarding the borrower that the Secretary deems necessary to ensure the electronic exchange of data between the borrower and the System; contact information regarding the lender and servicer of each loan; information concerning the date of any default on the loan and the collection of the loan, including any information concerning the repayment status of any defaulted loan; and the date the borrower completes repayment. Requires private educational lenders to ensure the privacy of borrowers and update the loan information they submit to the System on the same schedule as information is updated under the System. Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary to ensure that: (1) a cosigner of a private education loan for which information is included in the System has access only to that information, and (2) a private educational lender has access to the System only to submit information regarding the lender's loans. Directs the Secretary to establish a functionality within the System that enables student borrowers of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV to input the information necessary to compare the repayment plans available to them under that title.