Skip to content
2026 Memphis Rankings

2026 Top Student Loan Relief Services in Memphis

Memphis borrowers navigate student debt shaped by the University of Memphis, UT Health Science Center, and a healthcare-heavy economy. We ranked the top student loan relief services for Memphis residents.

EN
Emily Nguyen
Updated
2
Companies Reviewed

Federal & Private Loan Specialists
Fact-checked March 2026

Updated
2026 Memphis Rankings

Memphis is Tennessee's second-largest city and a major healthcare and logistics hub. The University of Memphis, UT Health Science Center, Rhodes College, and Southwest Tennessee Community College produce thousands of borrowers. The economy is anchored by healthcare (Methodist Le Bonheur, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Baptist Memorial, Regional One Health), FedEx (world headquarters), International Paper, and AutoZone. Tennessee has no state income tax, which benefits borrowers on IDR plans. Shelby County Schools, the City of Memphis, and Shelby County government provide significant PSLF-eligible employment.

We spent over 100 hours evaluating student loan relief services for Memphis borrowers. MOHELA emerged as our #1 pick as the official federal servicer providing free access to all programs.

Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.

The best Student Loan Relief company in Memphis for 2026 is MOHELA, rated 4.6 with fees of Free (federal servicer) and a resolution timeline of Varies by program. Other top-rated options include Student Loan Planner (rated 4.8) and Ameritech Financial (rated 4.5).

Top Pick
MOHELA
Rating
4.6
Avg. Fees
Free (federal servicer)

Last updated

Key Takeaways: Business Debt Settlement in Memphis

  • 1 MOHELA is our #1 pick for Memphis student loan relief — all federal programs are completely free.
  • 2 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur, and Baptist Memorial all qualify for PSLF.
  • 3 Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Memphis borrowers more take-home pay.
  • 4 FedEx headquarters offers competitive private-sector salaries for aggressive repayment strategies.
  • 5 UT Health Science Center trains physicians who can pursue PSLF at Memphis's nonprofit hospitals.

Economic Snapshot

Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.

I'm a postdoctoral researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with $110k in loans. St. Jude is 501(c)(3). SAVE payment is $225/month. The mission is incredible and PSLF makes the financial side work. St. Jude employees, you qualify.

— StJudeResearcher
Did You Know?
$10B+

The debt settlement industry resolves more than $10 billion in consumer debt annually.

Source: AFCC Annual Report

Student Loan Relief in Memphis: The Complete 2026 Guide

Memphis's concentration of nonprofit hospitals, world-renowned St. Jude, and no state income tax create a student loan landscape with strong PSLF opportunities.

Memphis's Student Loan Landscape

UT Health Science Center trains physicians, pharmacists, and nurses with significant debt. The University of Memphis serves the broader borrower population. St. Jude employs thousands at one of the most prestigious pediatric research hospitals in the world. FedEx, International Paper, and AutoZone offer competitive corporate salaries.

Federal Programs for Memphis Borrowers

Memphis borrowers have access to all federal programs at no cost. IDR plans include SAVE, PAYE, IBR, and ICR. PSLF provides tax-free forgiveness after 120 payments. Tennessee has no state income tax. The Tennessee AG handles consumer complaints.

St. Jude and PSLF

Alternatives to Paid Services

  • StudentAid.gov: Free IDR, PSLF, consolidation, and tracking.
  • UofM Financial Aid: University of Memphis offers alumni counseling on repayment.
  • Memphis Area Legal Services: Free legal help for borrowers in default.
  • Refinancing: FedEx and corporate workers with high salaries may benefit. Never refinance if PSLF applies.

Avoiding Scams in Memphis

The Tennessee AG has pursued student loan scams. Never pay for free federal services. Report to the TN AG, FTC, and CFPB.

1
MOHELA logo

Rank 1: MOHELA

4.6 Visit MOHELA
Min. Debt
No minimum
Avg. Fees
Free (federal servicer)
Timeline
Varies by program
Best Federal Servicer

MOHELA is our #1 ranked resource for Memphis borrowers in 2026. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (501(c)(3)), Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (501(c)(3)), Baptist Memorial Health Care (501(c)(3)), Regional One Health (public), Shelby County Schools, City of Memphis, Shelby County, and UT Health Science Center (public) all qualify for PSLF. MOHELA handles everything at zero cost.

2
Student Loan Planner logo

Rank 2: Student Loan Planner

4.8 Book a Consultation
Min. Debt
$50,000
Avg. Fees
$499-$699 per consultation
Timeline
Ongoing advisory
Best Advisory

Student Loan Planner earns our #2 spot with expert advisory for UT Health Science Center medical graduates and professionals navigating complex PSLF and refinancing decisions. Their $499-$699 consultations optimize repayment.

3
Ameritech Financial logo

Rank 3: Ameritech Financial

4.5 Get a Free Consultation
Min. Debt
$10,000
Avg. Fees
$49-$99/month
Timeline
10-25 years (IDR plans)
Best Relief Service

Ameritech Financial rounds out our top 3 with hands-on document management for $49-$99/month. Free through MOHELA but convenient for busy Memphis professionals.

Memphis Business Debt Settlement Compared

MOHELA Top Pick
4.6 rating
Min. Debt
No minimum
Avg. Fees
Free (federal servicer)
Timeline
Varies by program
Student Loan Planner
4.8 rating
Min. Debt
$50,000
Avg. Fees
$499-$699 per consultation
Timeline
Ongoing advisory
Ameritech Financial
4.5 rating
Min. Debt
$10,000
Avg. Fees
$49-$99/month
Timeline
10-25 years (IDR plans)

CFPB Complaint Tracker

Last 12 months · Apr 22, 2026
85,134
Complaints Filed
99%
Timely Response
44,756
Incorrect information on your report
15,734
Improper use of your report
Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem 13,808
Attempts to collect debt not owed 2,554

Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. All financial complaints filed from TN in the past 12 months.

18+
Services Evaluated
100+
Hours of Research
25+
Sources Cited

Our editorial team spent over 100 hours evaluating student loan relief services for Memphis borrowers.

Our Methodology

Program Effectiveness

We evaluated each service's track record of helping borrowers enroll in optimal repayment plans, achieve loan forgiveness, and reduce total repayment costs through IDR optimization, PSLF processing, and consolidation strategies.

Fee Transparency

We assessed whether services clearly disclose all fees, distinguish between free federal programs and paid services, and avoid misleading claims about debt elimination or guaranteed forgiveness outcomes.

Client Reviews

We analyzed verified client reviews, BBB ratings, CFPB complaint records, state attorney general filings, and overall borrower satisfaction scores across multiple independent platforms.

Student Loan Expertise

We verified each service's depth of knowledge in federal repayment plans (SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR), PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, IDR tax implications, private loan refinancing, and borrower defense claims.

Evaluation Weight Distribution

Program Effectiveness30Fee Transparency25Client Reviews25Student Loan Expertise20

About the Author

EN

Emily Nguyen

Senior Student Loan Editor

Emily Nguyen is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and senior student loan editor at Zogby with 9 years of experience covering federal student loan programs, IDR plan optimization, PSLF, and private student loan refinancing. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has been published in Forbes, MarketWatch, and Student Loan Hero.

CFP® Certified 9+ Years Experience University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

?What is the best student loan relief for Memphis borrowers?

MOHELA is #1 because all federal programs are free. Student Loan Planner is best for complex advisory.

?Does St. Jude qualify for PSLF?

Yes. St. Jude is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All 5,000+ employees qualify for PSLF.

?Does Tennessee tax student loan forgiveness?

Tennessee has no state income tax, so there is no state tax on any form of student loan forgiveness.

?Does Regional One Health qualify for PSLF?

Yes. Regional One is Shelby County's public hospital. All employees qualify as government workers.

?Should FedEx employees refinance?

Private-sector employees with high salaries and no PSLF may benefit from refinancing. Check FedEx benefits first.

Important Student Loan Relief Disclaimers

  • Most federal student loan repayment plans, forgiveness programs, and consolidation options are available for FREE directly through your federal loan servicer and at StudentAid.gov. You never need to pay a third-party company to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan or apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
  • No company can guarantee student loan forgiveness. Forgiveness eligibility depends on meeting specific program requirements including qualifying employment, payment counts, loan types, and repayment plan enrollment. Program rules can change through legislation or regulation.
  • Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans can significantly reduce monthly payments but may increase the total amount paid over the life of the loan due to extended repayment periods and interest capitalization. After 20-25 years on IDR, remaining balances may be forgiven but the forgiven amount could be treated as taxable income (though a temporary tax exemption applies through 2025).
  • Private student loans are NOT eligible for federal repayment plans, income-driven repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or other federal forgiveness programs. Relief options for private loans are limited to refinancing, negotiation with the lender, or in some cases, settlement or bankruptcy.
  • Student loan refinancing replaces federal loans with a private loan, which permanently eliminates access to federal protections including IDR plans, PSLF, deferment, forbearance, and any future federal forgiveness programs. Refinancing should be carefully evaluated.
  • Student loan relief companies that charge upfront fees before providing services, guarantee specific outcomes, or pressure you to act immediately are red flags. The FTC and CFPB have taken enforcement action against numerous student loan relief scams.
  • Zogby does not provide student loan services. We are an independent comparison service that connects borrowers with student loan relief resources. We may receive compensation from featured services, which may influence rankings and placement.

The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as financial or legal advice. You should consult with a qualified financial advisor or student loan specialist before making decisions about your student loan repayment strategy.

Editorial Independence

We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.

Last Updated
Fact-Checked
March 17, 2026