Some have, but others have not. This is definitely a YMMV situation.
Here are a couple of suggestions. Were the lates during a period where you may have been in school and there should have been a deferment? Did they happen during a period that may qualify you for a forebearance, i.e. lost job, collection financial assistance from the state, etc? These may be some options that if true, could help get the late removed as no payment would have been due during that time.
If it doesn't fall into the deferment or forebearance category, I would still try the goodwill letter. The only thing they can do is say no, and you are no worse off than you are now. But don't be discouraged. While the late will hurt for a little while, it will continue to impact your score less and less as it ages and is replaced with an ontime payment history.
Current Score: Eq: 823 Tu: 830Hey!
Have you had any luck since then? I am starting the process and any advice would be awesome!
Good luck 
If Navient or Sallie Mae service the loans they are pretty forgiving after 12 on time payments. You just have to get the right person on the phone or by GW'ing them. I talked to someone when I was fixing my credit and 12 months later after paying on time, they followed through and removed the negative months from my credit reports. Blank months are better than bad months.
@misterdarci
