StudentDebtLaws.com

State Law

State law can affect postsecondary debt at several points in the lifecycle. Explore targeted inventories of enacted state laws addressing student loan servicing and oversight and transcript access and institutional debt, together with a separate lending-licensing view of principal broader regimes relevant to nonbank education-loan origination.

Student debt-specific inventories reviewed through September 18, 2026 Lending licensing reviewed through September 23, 2026

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National view

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Color map by Law model Regulatory orientation

Law model

Stand-alone licensestudent loan-specific licensing regime.
Registrationstudent loan-specific registration rather than a conventional license.
Notification and oversightBorrower protections, notification, complaints, and ombudsman oversight.
Broader lending licensestudent loan servicing regulated through a broader consumer-loan statute.
License and registration hybridServicer licensing plus a separate lender-registration feature.
No specialized framework identified in this inventoryNo specialized enacted framework identified in the targeted review.

Every state and the District of Columbia opens a jurisdiction summary. The gray category means no specialized framework is included within this inventory’s defined scope.

50 states plus D.C.

State inventory

17 jurisdictions shown

Find a state Framework status Law model Regulatory orientation

Showing identified laws, frameworks, and authority

California

Specialized framework identified

License

Licensing applies to persons servicing a student loan 'in this state,' subject to exemptions; separate CCFPL registration can reach education-financing providers.

Colorado

Specialized framework identified

Registration

Servicing student loans for Colorado residents; includes borrower-protection standards and ombudsman functions.

Connecticut

Specialized framework identified

License + federal registration

Private and federal student loan servicing for Connecticut borrowers, with different authorization paths.

District of Columbia

Specialized framework identified

License + automatic federal license

student loan servicing for District borrowers; ombudsman and borrower protections apply.

Illinois

Specialized framework identified

License

Federal and private student loan servicing; since August 15, 2025, income-share agreement providers are also within licensing requirements.

Kentucky

Specialized framework identified

License + federal-servicer license

Student education-loan servicing for Kentucky borrowers, subject to statutory exemptions.

Maine

Specialized framework identified

License + abbreviated federal license

Entities servicing loans owed by Maine residents; statutory exemptions apply.

Maryland

Specialized framework identified

Notification + borrower-protection oversight

Borrower protections, complaint resolution, ombudsman coordination and servicer notification rather than a full standalone license comparable to California or New York.

Massachusetts

Specialized framework identified

License + automatic federal license

student loan servicing in the Commonwealth; related third-party loan-servicer registration rules can also matter.

Minnesota

Specialized framework identified

License/registration

student loan servicing plus, beginning January 1, 2025, registration of student loan lenders; 2026 amendments add operational requirements.

Nevada

Specialized framework identified

License

student loan servicing for Nevada residents, with statutory exemptions.

New Jersey

Specialized framework identified

License

student loan servicing for New Jersey residents; annual reporting is required for licensees.

New York

Specialized framework identified

License

Entities servicing student loans held by New York borrowers; rules include detailed servicing and reporting duties.

Oregon

Specialized framework identified

License

Servicing student loans of Oregon residents, subject to exemptions.

Rhode Island

Specialized framework identified

Registration

student loan servicing for Rhode Island borrowers, with specified exemptions under § 19-33-16.

Virginia

Specialized framework identified

License

Qualified education-loan servicing for Virginia borrowers; ombudsman and borrower-assistance structure.

Washington

Specialized framework identified

Consumer Loan License

Student education-loan servicing is licensed through the broader Consumer Loan Act rather than a stand-alone student loan license.

National view

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Color map by Law model Regulatory orientation

Law model

Broad prohibitionDebt generally cannot be used to refuse or disadvantage a transcript request.
Purpose-based protectionRelease rights turn on the stated purpose of the request.
Threshold or payment planRelease rights depend on debt amount, payment history, or repayment-plan status.
Public-system policy authorityState law authorizes public-system boards to adopt policies.
No specialized framework identified in this inventoryNo specialized enacted statute identified in the targeted review.

Every state and the District of Columbia opens a jurisdiction summary. The gray category means no specialized framework is included within this inventory’s defined scope.

50 states plus D.C.

State inventory

15 jurisdictions shown

Find a state Framework status Law model Regulatory orientation

Showing identified laws, frameworks, and authority

California

State provision identified

Broad transcript-withholding prohibition

Postsecondary schools may not refuse, condition, surcharge, or give less favorable treatment to a transcript request because the student owes a debt, and may not use transcript issuance as a collection tool.

Colorado

State provision identified

Purpose-based access to transcripts and diplomas

Institutions must provide a transcript or diploma for specified purposes, including employment, transfer, financial aid, military service, and other postsecondary opportunities; the law also addresses institutional policy and reporting.

Connecticut

State provision identified

Employment-purpose transcript protection

Institutions of higher education may not withhold a transcript because of debt when the student requests it for employment purposes and indicates that purpose in the request.

Illinois

State provision identified

Unofficial-transcript access plus conditional official-transcript rules

The Act protects access to unofficial transcripts, requires official transcripts in specified circumstances, and includes related provisions involving institutional debt, collection agencies, credit reporting, policies, and reporting.

Indiana

State provision identified

Payment-based transcript access at public institutions

Public institutions may not withhold a transcript when a student has made the statute’s required payment toward the debt during the preceding year; the required payment varies with the balance.

Louisiana

Policy authority identified

Statutory authority for public-system board policies

Authorizes public postsecondary education management boards to adopt policies limiting the withholding of transcripts and other records because of debt or loan default. It is not framed as a uniform statewide release mandate.

Maine

State provision identified

Debt-threshold and repayment-plan model

Two-year and four-year institutions must release transcripts and diplomas below specified debt thresholds. Above the thresholds, a repayment-plan agreement may be required, but payment may not be required before release; the law also addresses appeals, uniform policy, enforcement, and reporting.

Maryland

State provision identified

Broad transcript-withholding prohibition

Institutions generally may not refuse to provide a transcript, condition release on payment, charge a higher fee, or use transcript issuance as a collection tool because of debt owed to the institution.

Minnesota

State provision identified

Multiple release triggers and $1,000 threshold

Covered schools may not refuse a transcript because of debt when the balance is below $1,000 or when one of several triggers applies, including compliance with a payment plan, an employer request, external collection, or incarceration in a Minnesota correctional facility.

New Jersey

State provision identified

State-aid and non-mandatory-charge overlay

The law layers state-aid coverage onto the federal model, protects certain requests involving $2,000 or less in non-mandatory charges, addresses repayment plans, bars holds tied to institutional error or misconduct, and requires public posting of transcript-release policies.

New York

State provision identified

Broad transcript-withholding prohibition

Institutions may not withhold a transcript because of debt, condition issuance on payment, or charge a higher fee because debt is owed. The law includes enforcement and a private remedy.

Ohio

State provision identified

Employment-purpose transcript protection at state institutions

A state institution may not withhold an official transcript from a potential employer because of debt when the student authorizes release and the employer affirms that the transcript is a prerequisite to employment.

Oregon

State provision identified

Broad transcript-withholding prohibition

Oregon-based postsecondary institutions may not refuse a transcript because of debt, charge a higher transcript fee because debt is owed, or use transcript issuance as a collection tool.

Virginia

State provision identified

Debt-threshold and payment-plan model at public institutions

Public institutions must release transcripts directly to an employer on request and may not condition release on payment when debt is below $500, below $1,000 for certain Pell recipients, or subject to a repayment plan with three consecutive monthly payments.

Washington

State provision identified

Transcript prohibition plus limits on registration holds

Institutions generally may not withhold transcripts as a debt-collection tool. The statute also limits registration holds and requires disclosures regarding institutional debt and available relief.

Origination licensing context

Lending Licensing

A state may not have a student loan-specific origination license and still regulate the lender through a broader consumer-credit regime. This view identifies the principal state licensing, registration, or notification framework to examine first, including material amount, rate, activity, and entity thresholds where they affect coverage.

This is not a comprehensive survey of state consumer-finance law or a licensing application guide. Applicability depends on the lender, transaction, borrower, loan amount, pricing, exemptions, and other facts. Origination licensing and student loan servicing licensing are separate questions.

51jurisdictions reviewed

National view

Explore the map

Colored by type of principal regime

Principal regime type

General lending license 13A principal broader lender-licensing framework, subject to its coverage and exemptions.
Threshold-based lending license 25Coverage turns on a material amount, rate, charge, or activity threshold.
Multiple lending regimes 11More than one principal lending regime may need to be considered.
Notification requirement 1A notification rather than a license or registration.
No general lender license — constitutional rate ceiling 1No comparable general license; a constitutional rate ceiling and specialized regimes still matter.

Every state and the District of Columbia has a researched record. Colors describe the structure of the principal regime, not regulatory severity or whether a particular lender must be licensed.

50 states plus D.C.

Jurisdiction inventory

51 jurisdictions shown

Find a jurisdiction Regime type

Alabama

Multiple lending regimes

Consumer Credit License; Small Loan License

Alabama uses more than one consumer-lending license. The broader Consumer Credit framework applies to nonmortgage consumer credit activity, while a separate Small Loan Act license covers loans under $1,500.

Alaska

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Company License

Alaska's Small Loan Company regime is threshold-based rather than a universal consumer-lender license. The small-loan pricing schedule permits up to 3% per month (36% APR) on the first $850 and up to 2% per month (24% APR) on the portion above $850 through $10,000, subject to the statute's coverage rules.

Arizona

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Lender License

Arizona's Consumer Lender License principally reaches covered loans of $10,000 or less. Education purpose does not create the license, but an education-purpose transaction within the statutory amount and coverage rules may be included.

Arkansas

No general lender license — constitutional rate ceiling

No general nonmortgage consumer lender license; 17% constitutional rate ceiling

Arkansas does not impose a general nonmortgage consumer lender license comparable to those used in many states. Instead, Amendment 89 sets a 17% per annum maximum lawful interest rate for loans and contracts other than loans by federally insured depository institutions. Mortgage lending and other specialized activities remain separately regulated.

California

General lending license

California Financing Law License

California generally requires a California Financing Law license for persons engaged in the business of making consumer or commercial loans, subject to statutory exemptions. Education financing also has a separate CCFPL registration overlay, although financing conducted within the scope of a CFL license can qualify for a registration exemption.

Colorado

Threshold-based lending license

Supervised Lender License

Colorado's Supervised Lender License is principally rate-triggered. A person regularly making, servicing, or taking assignment of consumer loans above the UCCC's 12% supervised-loan threshold generally enters the licensing regime; education purpose alone does not create the trigger.

Connecticut

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Company License

Connecticut's Small Loan Company License is amount- and rate-triggered: covered loans of $50,000 or less with APR above 12% can enter the regime, along with specified related origination and servicing activities.

Delaware

General lending license

Licensed Lender License

Delaware's Licensed Lender framework broadly covers nondepository consumer lending businesses, with the regulator identifying participation in more than five transactions in a 12-month period as part of the licensing scope.

District of Columbia

Threshold-based lending license

Money Lender License

The District's Money Lender License is principally rate-triggered: a non-exempt person in the business of lending money above 6% annually generally enters the licensing framework.

Florida

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Finance Company License

Florida's Consumer Finance Company License principally reaches consumer finance loans of $25,000 or less carrying interest above 18%, subject to statutory exemptions.

Georgia

Threshold-based lending license

Installment Lender License

Georgia's Installment Lender License is a small-dollar regime. It generally covers installment loans of $3,000 or less, so conventional private education loans above that amount fall outside this particular licensing framework.

Hawaii

Threshold-based lending license

Financial Services Loan Company License

Hawaii's Financial Services Loan Company license is a pricing-authority regime rather than a universal lender license. Current HRS § 412:9-200 confirms that the license authorizes covered nondepository lenders to make loans at rates above the general Chapter 478 limits.

Idaho

General lending license

Regulated Lender License

Idaho requires a Regulated Lender License for businesses making regulated consumer loans or taking assignment and directly collecting covered loans, subject to the Idaho Credit Code's scope and exemptions.

Illinois

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Installment Loan License

Illinois' Consumer Installment Loan Act is a threshold-based regime for covered loans of $40,000 or less where the lender uses pricing authority beyond that available to an unlicensed lender.

Indiana

Multiple lending regimes

Consumer Loan License; Small Loan License

Indiana uses a broad Consumer Loan License for covered nonmortgage consumer lending and a separate license for small-loan activity. Education-purpose consumer credit can enter the broader licensing framework if no exemption applies.

Iowa

Multiple lending regimes

Regulated Loan License; Industrial Loan License

Iowa's broader lending framework includes Regulated Loan and Industrial Loan authority. For 2026, the relevant threshold amount follows Regulation Z and is $73,400; transaction structure and the Iowa Consumer Credit Code determine the applicable licensing path.

Kansas

Multiple lending regimes

Supervised Lender License; Consumer Credit Filer

Kansas combines a Supervised Lender License for covered supervised loans with a broader Consumer Credit Filer framework. For 2026, the relevant amount threshold follows Regulation Z and is $73,400; the applicable path still depends on the transaction and UCCC coverage.

Kentucky

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Loan Company License

Kentucky's Consumer Loan Company License is a threshold-based regime. KRS 286.4-420 requires licensure for covered loans of $15,000 or less when the lender charges more than would otherwise be permitted by law.

Louisiana

General lending license

Consumer Loan License

Louisiana broadly licenses persons engaged in the business of making covered consumer loans. Education-purpose consumer credit can fall within that framework depending on transaction and entity status.

Maine

Threshold-based lending license

Supervised Lender License

Maine's Supervised Lender License is principally triggered for covered consumer loans above a 12.25% actuarial finance-charge rate, while Maine separately maintains a Private Student Lender Registry for education lending.

Maryland

Multiple lending regimes

Consumer Lender License; Installment Loan Lender License

Maryland uses multiple broader nonmortgage lending licenses. Loans under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law generally fall within a Consumer Lender License framework, while other covered nonmortgage credit can require an Installment Loan Lender License; the governing transaction structure and statutory credit subtitle matter.

Massachusetts

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Company License

Massachusetts' Small Loan Company License is narrowly threshold-based: covered loans of $6,000 or less with aggregate interest and expenses above 12% per annum require licensure. Larger education loans fall outside this particular license.

Michigan

Multiple lending regimes

Regulatory Loan License; Consumer Financial Services License

Michigan uses overlapping consumer-finance licensing statutes. The Regulatory Loan Act and Consumer Financial Services Act can each provide licensing authority, so the applicable path depends on the lender's activity and statutory basis.

Minnesota

General lending license

Regulated Lender License

Minnesota's Regulated Lender License provides a broad nonbank lending framework under Chapter 56, with loan-size authority that generally extends to $100,000 and can be higher for sufficiently capitalized companies.

Mississippi

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Company License

Mississippi licenses Small Loan Companies under its small-loan statutes and requires an in-state physical location. The maximum covered small-loan amount is $5,330 under the July 2026 Department of Banking and Consumer Finance adjustment.

Missouri

Multiple lending regimes

Small Loan Company License; Consumer Installment Lender License

Missouri uses multiple lender licenses rather than one universal consumer-loan license. Small Loan Company and Consumer Installment Lender regimes can apply to different transaction structures.

Montana

General lending license

Consumer Loan License

Montana's Consumer Loan Act broadly licenses covered consumer-loan businesses rather than limiting the license to one small-dollar category. Education-purpose consumer credit can fall within that framework.

Nebraska

General lending license

Installment Loan Company License

Nebraska uses an Installment Loan Company License for covered nonbank installment lending, alongside separate consumer-lending categories such as sales finance and loan-broker licensing.

Nevada

General lending license

Installment Loan License

Nevada broadly requires an Installment Loan License for persons engaged in the business of lending in the state, subject to statutory exemptions and specialized regimes for products such as high-interest or title loans.

New Hampshire

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Lender License

New Hampshire's Small Loan Lender License is amount- and rate-triggered: a covered loan of less than $10,000 with APR of at least 10% can enter the licensing framework.

New Jersey

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Lender License

New Jersey's Consumer Lender License is a threshold-based regime for covered nonmortgage consumer loans of $50,000 or less where the lender uses pricing authority beyond that available to an unlicensed lender.

New Mexico

Threshold-based lending license

Small Loan Company License

New Mexico's Small Loan Company License principally reaches covered loans of $10,000 or less to New Mexico borrowers. Education-purpose credit within that amount range can be included if no exemption applies.

New York

Threshold-based lending license

Licensed Lender License

New York's Licensed Lender regime is threshold-driven. For covered consumer-purpose loans to individuals, Article 9 generally combines a $25,000 principal ceiling with a rate above the lawful unlicensed-lender ceiling, currently 16% per annum.

North Carolina

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Finance Act License

North Carolina's Consumer Finance Act License principally covers specified non-real-estate consumer loans of $25,000 or less. Education-purpose loans within that scope can be included.

North Dakota

General lending license

Money Broker License

North Dakota uses a broad Money Broker License that can reach consumer and commercial lending activity with North Dakota residents even without an in-state physical office.

Ohio

Multiple lending regimes

Small Loan License; Consumer Installment Loan License

Ohio uses multiple nonbank lending licenses. Small loans of $5,000 or less can fall under the Small Loan Law, while other covered installment lending can use the Consumer Installment Loan framework.

Oklahoma

Threshold-based lending license

Supervised Lender License

Oklahoma's Supervised Lender License is principally rate-triggered: covered consumer loans with a loan finance charge above 10% per year can enter the licensing framework.

Oregon

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Finance License

Oregon's Consumer Finance License expressly covers qualifying loans for educational use. The regulator describes covered loans of $50,000 or less with terms longer than 60 days, subject to statutory scope and exemptions.

Pennsylvania

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Discount Company License

Pennsylvania's Consumer Discount Company License is amount- and pricing-driven: covered nonmortgage loans of $25,000 or less can require licensure when charges exceed what an unlicensed lender may lawfully impose.

Rhode Island

Multiple lending regimes

Lender License; Small Loan Lender License

Rhode Island uses both a general Lender License and a separate Small Loan Lender License. The general framework can reach education-purpose lending, while nonprofit educational organizations and certain low-volume lenders have express licensing exemptions.

South Carolina

Threshold-based lending license

Supervised Lender License

South Carolina's Supervised Lender License is principally rate- and collateral-triggered: covered consumer loans above 12% APR that are not secured by real property or a residential dwelling can require licensure.

South Dakota

General lending license

Money Lending License

South Dakota broadly licenses persons engaged in the business of lending money. A nonbank private education lender can fall within that general framework unless a statutory exemption applies.

Tennessee

Multiple lending regimes

Industrial Loan and Thrift Registration; other consumer-credit regimes

Tennessee's Industrial Loan and Thrift Registration is one important nonbank lending authority, but it sits alongside other consumer-credit regimes. An IL&T registrant may make loans using the interest and charge authority provided by Title 45, Chapter 5.

Texas

Threshold-based lending license

Regulated Lender License

Texas provides unusually direct education-lending evidence. Non-depository lenders making, transacting, or collecting regulated consumer loans above 10% generally require a Regulated Lender License, and OCCC's licensing materials expressly identify private student loan lending as an authorized business activity.

Utah

Notification requirement

Consumer Credit Notification (CCN)

Utah uses a Consumer Credit Notification rather than a conventional lender license. Covered creditors must notify the Department through NMLS, but the UCCC excludes Title IV loans and specified education loans made under state programs or by federally insured depository institutions.

Vermont

General lending license

Lender License

Vermont broadly requires a Lender License for covered lending activity, including loans made electronically or from outside the state to Vermont residents. Education-purpose consumer credit can fall within that framework.

Virginia

Threshold-based lending license

Consumer Finance Company License

Virginia's Consumer Finance Company License is principally a rate-triggered regime for nonbusiness loans to individuals. Chapter 15 becomes relevant when aggregate charges exceed Virginia's generally permitted 12% rate unless another statute authorizes the lending activity.

Washington

General lending license

Consumer Loan Company License

Washington broadly requires a Consumer Loan Company License for lending or extending credit to Washington residents unless an exemption applies. The same licensing framework expressly addresses student education loan servicing, making Washington a strong example of a state where broader lending and student loan-specific activity sit within the same statutory system.

West Virginia

Threshold-based lending license

Regulated Consumer Lender License

West Virginia's Regulated Consumer Lender License is principally rate-triggered. Covered consumer loans with a loan finance charge above 18% per year generally enter the regulated-lender framework, subject to statutory exceptions and alternate authority.

Wisconsin

Multiple lending regimes

Loan Company License; Wisconsin Consumer Act Registration

Wisconsin combines a Loan Company License for covered loans above an 18% finance-charge threshold with a broader Wisconsin Consumer Act registration regime. DFI expressly lists student loans among consumer-credit transactions relevant to WCA registration.

Wyoming

General lending license

Consumer Lender License

Wyoming's Consumer Lender License framework uses transaction-volume tests to define regularly conducted consumer lending.

Methodology and scope

What these state views cover

The servicing and transcript inventories address targeted student debt-specific enacted law and policy authority, reviewed through September 18, 2026. The separate lending-licensing view identifies principal broader regimes potentially relevant to nonbank education-loan origination in 51 jurisdictions, reviewed through September 23, 2026. It is not a comprehensive state consumer-finance-law survey or a licensing application guide.

“No specialized framework identified” applies only within a student debt-specific inventory’s defined scope; it does not mean no state law applies. Licensing applicability depends on entity status, transaction structure, borrower and jurisdiction, loan amount, pricing, activity, exemptions, and other facts. Federal law, general state law, public-system policy, institution policy, regulations, litigation, or later amendments may also apply. Learn how federal and state law can apply together.

Pending legislation is excluded. This resource covers enacted law and current policy authority only. It is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal obligations and compliance questions should be evaluated with qualified legal counsel.