The U.S. Department of Education will resume collecting on defaulted student loans starting May 5th, after a five-year pause. Over 5 million borrowers haven't made payments in the past year, a number expected to rise. The department will notify borrowers via email and refer those remaining in default to a Treasury Department collections program. Wage garnishment will begin later this summer. Critics argue this action is poorly timed given current economic uncertainty and disproportionately affects older borrowers.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.