WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education announced that the Trump administration will initiate wage garnishment for student loan borrowers who are in default starting early next year. The department indicated that approximately 1,000 borrowers are expected to receive the first notices in the first full week of January, with the number of notices increasing monthly. Borrowers may face wage garnishment as soon as 30 days after receiving their notice. The Education Department stated that collections would only take place after borrowers are adequately informed and given the chance to repay their loans. The agency resumed collections for defaulted federal student loans in May, following a hiatus that began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new policy, if a borrower defaults on their student loans, their wages may be garnished without the need for court proceedings. The loan holder can instruct the employer to withhold up to 15% of disposable income to recover the defaulted debt. This process is outlined by Federal Student Aid (FSA), a division of the Education Department. Borrowers facing wage garnishment are entitled to receive a notice detailing the intention to garnish wages within 30 days. The notice will include specifics about the debt, the opportunity to review related records, the right to contest the garnishment, and options for voluntary repayment to avoid such measures. The announcement reflects ongoing efforts to manage student loan defaults and underscores the importance of timely repayment. This policy marks a significant shift in how the federal government addresses student loan debts, particularly following the extended pause on collections during the pandemic.