New Report Reveals Student Loan Borrowers to Pay Additional $500 Per Month Upon Exiting the SAVE Plan
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 23, 2026
Contact:
Natalia Abrams
WASHINGTON D.C. — A new report from Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) exposes the harsh reality student loan borrowers are up against as they face the end of the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan forbearance. Significantly, the report found that 51% of borrowers exiting the SAVE plan will see their monthly payments increase by $500 or more. Detailing stories and experiences directly from borrowers, Post-SAVE Reality Check exposes what the latest federal changes mean for student loan borrowers and their families, including the blatant need for affordable repayment plans and a pause on all federal student loan payments and interest. The survey had 842 respondents from all 50 states and 2 U.S. territories.
Key survey findings include:
High Number of Borrowers Facing $500+ Increases in Payment Amount - 51% of respondents will pay $500 or more per month upon exiting the SAVE plan.
Steep Increases in Monthly Payments for Borrowers Previously Paying $0 per Month - The new median estimated payment is $560 per month, a steep increase for the 27% of respondents who reported a $0 monthly payment on SAVE.
Overall Heavier Financial Burden - 91% of respondents face a payment increase upon exiting SAVE, totaling to a projected $7.1 million in additional payments among respondents.
Higher Median Monthly Payments - Respondents are facing a new median monthly payment of $674 under the Standard plan compared to just $110 under SAVE.
On July 1st, 2026, new provisions included as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) went into effect, marking the beginning of the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan’s end. As servicers continue sending out formal 90-day notices instructing borrowers to leave SAVE, borrowers are seeing their monthly payment amounts skyrocket overnight.
“This is a huge wake up call and a desperately needed reality check for lawmakers. Student loan payments are increasing, and with 1 in 5 borrowers in default, those numbers will only continue to rise,” said Natalia Abrams, President of the Student Debt Crisis Center. “Immediate action must be taken by the White House, Department of Education, and Congress to ensure these 7 million borrowers are not left behind due to a failing system they did not create.”
As borrowers work to understand the complex financial implications of OBBBA provisions including new repayment plans and the end of the SAVE plan, this report highlights the all-around increase in concern about higher monthly student loan payments post-July 1st.
“I went back to graduate school to pursue a career that was PSLF eligible because I knew it would better myself and my family. And it has. In part, I chose to have a second child because of SAVE. Now with that being taken away, I’m worried about my family’s financial future. I worry that getting a graduate degree may have been a mistake. I worry that this debt will never go away.” - Franco, Student Loan Borrower from Ohio
For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request additional data, please contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org.
To read the survey report and find quotes from borrowers, click here.
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ABOUT Student Debt Crisis Center
Student Debt Crisis Center is a national advocacy organization with nearly 2,000,000 supporters calling for fundamental reforms to student loan policies and an end to the student debt crisis. Learn more here.