FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams Email: natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Education has quietly updated its online guidance regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback Program. The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) condemns this reckless change which threatens to prolong or remove public service workers’ access to a popular student loan benefit. The PSLF Buyback program was designed to allow borrowers to “buy back” or make up certain months that did not count toward PSLF for several reasons, such as being in forbearance or deferment. Under the new guidance, borrowers enrolled in the two newest repayment plans, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, will no longer be able to use the PSLF Buyback Program to make up those months. These changes will result in longer repayment periods, disqualify some public service workers from the full benefits of the PSLF Buyback Program, add to the existing confusion and chaos coming out of the Department of Education, and worsen the existing application processing backlogs. “Once again, the Department of Education is deciding borrowers' futures behind closed doors with no warning, no explanation," said Natalia Abrams, President & Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center. "Public service workers have endured broken promises, processing delays, and forced exits from SAVE. Many were counting on the Buyback Program as their last safeguard against losing years of progress toward forgiveness. Quietly shutting that door for RAP borrowers betrays the teachers, nurses, and public service workers who serve as the backbone of our communities. Secretary McMahon must reverse this guidance now and give borrowers the transparency they deserve." This change in guidance comes as nearly 8 million borrowers are being forced out of the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, and many public service workers intend to buy back the months spent in the SAVE forbearance due to ongoing litigation. Changes to the Buyback Program will directly affect millions of these borrowers who have already enrolled in, or plan to enroll in, the new Repayment Assistance Plan. The Department of Education has not publicly announced this change or explained how or when it was implemented. SDCC is calling on the Department and Secretary Linda McMahon to reverse this guidance and restore PSLF Buyback eligibility for borrowers enrolled in RAP. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. ### 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams Email: natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org WASHINGTON D.C. — A new survey from Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) highlights the growing confusion surrounding July 1st changes to student lending and the inability of borrowers to make their newly increased student loan payments. In a staggering finding, 67% of borrowers reported they will not be able to afford their new monthly payment amount — an early indicator of a larger default wave yet to come. Gathering statistics on the widespread confusion resulting from One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) changes, this survey adds quantitative data to what we already know: the student loan repayment system has become more chaotic, dysfunctional, and confusing than ever. As the system continues to fail borrowers, the need for an immediate pause on all federal student loan payments and interest grows stronger and more urgent by the day. With 3,208 respondents spanning all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the survey captured a broad, geographically diverse cross-section of borrowers. “There are over 42 million student loan borrowers and a majority of them cannot make their payments – this is a serious indicator of complete system failure that can no longer be ignored,” said Natalia Abrams, President of the Student Debt Crisis Center. “Instead of focusing on ‘streamlining’ the federal student loan system, it’s time for the Department of Education to face the reality they continuously ignore: payments are unaffordable, and a crisis is imminent.” Key survey findings include: Overwhelming Majority of Borrowers Cannot Afford New Payment Amounts - 67% of respondents reported they are unable to afford their new payment amounts. This follows preexisting data found by Student Debt Crisis Center’s Post-SAVE Reality Check Report reporting the new median monthly increase in student loan payments as $500. Severe Impact on Parent PLUS Borrowers - 72% of respondents holding Parent PLUS loans reported they will not be able to afford their new monthly payments. Additionally, 62% of Parent PLUS borrowers reported they were not aware their loans do not qualify for the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Another 62% were unaware their only post-July 1st repayment option, the Tiered Standard Plan, does not qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). High Number of Borrowers Unaware of Key Repayment Plan Phaseout - 33% of respondents were not aware the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plans are slated to phase out in 2028. Of these respondents, 3 out of 4 (74%) have been borrowing for 11 years or longer. As new provisions included as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) went into effect on July 1st, including the beginning of the end for the now-defunct Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, borrowers are facing a system in disarray. As repayment plan options change and payments exponentially increase for millions of Americans, borrowers are left unable to afford both basic living expenses and making their student loan payments on time. This survey points to a larger, more troubling trend: the Trump/McMahon era Department of Education cannot manage the very system it built. Changes meant to simplify repayment have instead made it more confusing and less affordable than ever, leaving borrowers to pay the price for the Department of Education’s own dysfunction. For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request additional data, please contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. ### 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. Please read compelling borrower stories below. If you’d like to get in touch with these borrowers or additional borrowers, contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. “My monthly estimated student loan payment has more than doubled. I am sitting in the SAVE plan accruing a ridiculous amount of interest as I cannot afford the new monthly payments. This has pushed me into an active financial crisis. I am a single mother with three jobs and solely responsible for supporting my household and funding my child's education. Despite working grueling hours, my total combined income is entirely consumed by basic, non-negotiable living expenses: rent, utilities, food, and basic healthcare. I have zero discretionary income. Something has to be done! I know I am not alone. Our leadership needs to help us!” - Mary, Illinois “I am currently 45 years old and married with two children. My wife and I make enough to get by and to put a little away to save. We are currently having to decide between the new inflated payments, which are over $1,000/month and putting food and other necessities on the table. My wife needs to go back to school to finish her degree after putting it on hold for over 10 years. And with her added tuition costs, I don't know how we will be able to afford to live while making these loan payments.” - Joe, New Jersey “I have had student loans since 2007. I have not been able to pay. I was on the SAVE plan paying $100 a month. Now they want $2065 a month. How am I supposed to live!! I have not taken a vacation because I am trying to keep up with bills. I can hardly keep up with anything. I can not afford $2065 per month. My mortgage is $2100 and my take home is $4k a month. This has given me so much anxiety. I am nervous all the time... Why are they doing this!” - Yesenia, North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams Email: natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org WASHINGTON D.C. — Borrowers are waking up to find their hard-earned progress toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) impacted by a catastrophic system failure, as their qualifying payment counts have been abruptly and inexplicably reduced on StudentAid.gov. While the Department of Education offers a vague acknowledgement of a "data issue," its refusal to disclose the full scope or provide a concrete timeline for restoration is an unconscionable betrayal of the people our nation depends on most. "The Department of Education not only has no response for the latest offense in a long line of preventable errors, they also have no excuse," said Sabrina Ashley, SDCC Executive Director. “The Department of Education continues to fail and borrowers repeatedly pay the price. ED has created the perfect storm for complete system failure: fire over half your staff, begin implementation of a massive overhaul, and predictably fail when you can’t service borrowers in any meaningful capacity. The logical next step is a payment pause while ED and servicers sort out their mess.” This is not an isolated incident. The need for an immediate pause on federal student loan payments and interest continues to grow in urgency following a pattern of servicing failures including recent erroneous delinquency notices from MOHELA, incorrect repayment calculations, and processing backlogs affecting IDR and PSLF Buyback applications. Borrowers are being asked to make consequential, irreversible financial decisions inside a system that cannot reliably track progress toward forgiveness they have already earned. SDCC urges the Department of Education to publicly disclose the scope and cause of this error, restore all improperly removed PSLF credit without requiring further borrower action, and ensure no borrower is penalized for a failure that is not of their making. SDCC will continue monitoring this situation and provide updates and resources to affected borrowers. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Natalia Abrams via email natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. ### 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams, SDCC natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org Braxton Brewington, Debt Collective braxton@debtcollective.org Student Debt Crisis Center and Debt Collective Announce August “National Week of Action to Pause Student Loans” WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, a petition signed by student loan borrowers and advocates calling on the White House and policymakers to pause federal student debt payments and interest reached 130,000 individual signatures. The petition also demands that any paused months count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) forgiveness timelines, as they did during the federal student loan payment pause at the onset of COVID-19. In response to mounting administrative failures, Student Debt Crisis Center and Debt Collective are launching a National Week of Action next week to mobilize thousands of borrowers to contact their representatives, share their stories, and demand immediate relief. Systemic failures, such as preventable mistakes from student loan servicers and lack of oversight from the Department of Education, are causing borrowers to suffer on an unprecedented scale. The Department of Education recently admitted to overestimating thousands of monthly payments by hundreds of dollars. With PAYE and REPAYE plans shadow repealed, debtors face costlier options. In recent conversations, SDCC supporters have expressed that a pause would offer relief from impossible bills, prevent ballooning balances, and provide breathing room amid a volatile repayment system. Their responses highlight growing financial burdens compounded by confusing guidance. "The White House paused payments in 2020 under less severe circumstances, and they have the power to do it again," said Natalia Abrams, President of the Student Debt Crisis Center. “Borrowers are not looking for a scapegoat or quick fix. They have upheld their end of the contract, and it is only fair that the White House pauses payments and interest accrual while they untangle the dysfunctional mess the student loan repayment system has become.” "The basic tools available to student debtors that allow borrowers to accurately understand their timeline to cancellation or ascertain essential information such as how many payments the Department of Education has on record simply do not function," said Braxton Brewington, spokesperson for the Debt Collective, the nation’s first union of debtors. “Debtors need a pause on payments after the Department of Education has administered countless catastrophic errors that are currently costing debtors billions. Trump has paused student debt payments before and he can do it again — debtors just need voices in Washington D.C. to amplify their voices.” The stakes are only rising as pending lawsuits over the rollout of recent federal student loan changes remain unresolved, leaving borrowers uncertain about which repayment options will remain available to them and when. Until those questions are answered, and until the backlog clears, SDCC and the Debt Collective say a pause isn't just reasonable, it's necessary. Student Debt Crisis Center and Debt Collective will continue collecting signatures and borrower stories until borrowers get the relief they're demanding. 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. ABOUT Debt Collective Debt Collective is the nation’s first union of debtors fighting to cancel debts and defend millions of households. ### Recent stories from SDCC Borrowers “I have never been more confused than now! The new system in place on the repayment plans is so messed up. I go to FSA and am told one thing and when I go to my lender I am told another. This is ridiculous and the goal post is constantly being moved on borrowers making it more and more impossible for anyone to actually, successfully, pay back these loans. We are constantly being told, "you just don't want to pay back what you took". When that is not the case at all. We don't care about paying back what we borrowed, what we care about is the insane interest rates making it so that we aren't even paying the principal which is keeping us in an endless payment plan. People who have borrowed 45k now owe over 95k, how does that make sense? And when the government is constantly changing the rules and systems it is making it impossible to even keep up, people have lives, jobs and families, do we not get a break!? We need a payment pause for the government to actually figure out these new systems and new plans, have everything set in stone and make actual sense and have actual communication between lenders and borrowers and make it so that borrowers can actually afford to pay back these loans and not just interest for the rest of their lives!” - Avalon, NY “I support a payment pause, the legislation is very confusing about what's going on and what my options are. I am pregnant and expecting a child and I can't afford the ongoing payments with my new baby on the way.” - Margaret, Illinois “I support the payment pause as my current payment is too high. I have been dipping into my savings to make the payments. The current formula does not consider current debt (i.e. mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation etc.,) in payment calculations. Further, I think it is also unfair that we were forced to be put in a forbearance for the SAVE Plan but not given credit towards PSLF. This was NOT our choice. I would like the payments to be paused with the understanding that the pause will count towards PSLF.” - Chitora, Mississippi “I support a payment pause since inflation has gotten so out of control it is all my family can do to just pay the rent and buy groceries. I haven't gone to any doctors in over 5 years since I cannot afford basic care. And yes, I have a full time job with benefits. My husband works as well but his job is seasonal so he doesn't get any benefits, sick time, or vacation. We both feel blessed to even have a job in this economy, but things are so bad right now. It is both sad and scary as hell. The thought of having to pay back on my student loans is more than I can bear. It would break me at this point.” - E., Florida “With current inflation and rising costs of everything, I cannot afford my loan payments anymore. Since graduating in 2015, I have owed about $136,000 in loans. Currently, I still owe $145,000. That is absurd. After 7 yrs of on-time payments, then taking advantage of national forbearance, I somehow owe more than what I started out with. I am all for paying what is owed, but the system is currently broken and unfair.” - Michael, Texas “With the current economy and cost of living I cannot afford my student loan payments. We have had a loss in household income, and are barely making it.” - Paula, Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 23, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams Email: natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org 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. ### 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.

Read report below. For more information, please contact info@studentdebtcrisis.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams Email: natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org WASHINGTON D.C. — On June 24, 2026, four student loan borrowers filed an amended complaint in federal court challenging the Education Department's elimination of both the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan and its predecessor, the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan. The lawsuit argues that borrowers who reached their forgiveness threshold while enrolled in SAVE should receive immediate loan discharge, and that all other SAVE enrollees should be transferred to REPAYE, not forced onto more expensive repayment plans. The plaintiffs have also requested a preliminary injunction to temporarily block the Department's planned notifications of transition starting July 1st. The Education Department has filed a motion to dismiss. The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) stands with the borrowers bringing this challenge and supports their pursuit of justice. "The REPAYE plan should absolutely be available to all borrowers moved out of the SAVE plan," said Natalia Abrams, President and Founder of SDCC. “At the time they moved into SAVE, REPAYE borrowers were given no choice but to switch out of the plan, so it only makes sense that now they have the option to re-enroll in it. It’s a matter of fairness.” If borrowers prevail, the stakes are significant. Those who already met their forgiveness threshold could see their remaining loan balances discharged entirely. All other SAVE enrollees could be moved to REPAYE — a more affordable income-driven plan — rather than being forced onto the Standard Repayment Plan, which typically carries the highest monthly payment. A successful injunction would also halt the SAVE plan transition altogether while the case is decided, giving millions of borrowers more time and more options. For borrowers who have spent years making payments toward forgiveness, a win in court could mean the difference between relief and years of additional debt. This lawsuit comes as the Education Department prepares to begin notifying the millions of borrowers currently in SAVE forbearance that they have 90 days to select a new repayment plan, or be automatically placed in the Standard Repayment Plan — typically the most expensive option available. No court has issued an injunction pausing that timeline. Borrowers are being asked to navigate consequential financial decisions in a system that is already under serious strain: more than 530,000 borrowers remain in a backlog waiting to be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan they have already applied for, more than 88,000 are waiting on PSLF buyback requests, millions of payment records are missing or inaccurate, and the Department has seen a 47% reduction in Federal Student Aid staff. These borrowers deserve justice, and SDCC will not stop advocating until they get it. SDCC will continue monitoring developments in the litigation and providing updates and resources to the millions of borrowers affected by this transition. We urge the Department of Education to ensure that no borrower is penalized for delays, errors, or failures that are not of their making. For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request additional data, please contact Natalia Abrams via email natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. ### 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 24, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams, SDCC natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org Braxton Brewington, Debt Collective braxton@debtcollective.org On Thursday, June 25th at 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT, the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) and Debt Collective are hosting the “Let’s Pause Payments” informational and advocacy-based virtual event, an opportunity uniting student loan borrowers and leaders to advocate for an immediate pause on all student loan payments. This event will feature a roundtable of student loan borrowers to share how federal changes coming on July 1st will impact them, and a special presentation from Julia Barnard, a former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Ombudsperson. Following this, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in advocacy for an immediate pause on payments by taking direct action. The event will conclude with practical guidance and resources for borrowers and opportunities to engage in borrower advocacy efforts. As the SAVE Plan comes to an end and new limits on federal student loan eligibility begin, this event seeks to share real stories from borrowers and demonstrate the necessity of affordable repayment plans for all Americans. “Student loan borrowers are navigating an unrelenting slate of changes to the federal loan system, and the continuous failure of the Department of Education to safeguard borrowers’ financial wellbeing adds exponentially more stress to Americans already facing an affordability crisis. The student debt crisis is more severe than ever, and we will not stop until President Trump implements an immediate pause on payment and interest to give borrowers what they deserve: relief,” said Sabrina Ashley Cereceres, Executive Director at Student Debt Crisis Center. “For over a decade, debtors, advocacy groups, elected officials, and law enforcement agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have been sounding the alarm about the out-of-control student loan system,” said Julia Barnard, the Higher Education Policy Director at the Debt Collective. “With millions of federal student loans falling into default, millions of debtors waiting on consequential court decisions that will determine their obligations, and millions more struggling to pay for basic expenses like healthcare and food, it’s time for President Trump to pause payments." What: Let’s Pause Payments – a virtual discussion featuring a borrower roundtable, information from student loan advocates, and direct action to pause all student payments When: Thursday, June 25th at 7:00PM ET / 4:00PM PT Where: Online – via Zoom (Over 900 registrations, make sure to reserve your spot today.) Who: Guest Speakers (subject to change) Sabrina Ashley Cereceres, Executive Director, SDCC Julia Barnard, Higher Education Policy Director, Debt Collective, and Former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Ombudsperson Natalia Abrams, President, SDCC Ryan Coryea, Policy & Communications Associate, SDCC Shanna Hayes, Student Loan Borrower Sarah Bundy, Student Loan Borrower For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org. You can register for the event here. Learn more about our speakers and co-hosts below. Speaker and Organization Information Shanna Hayes (Washington DC) — Shanna Hayes is a special education teacher and student loan borrower navigating a challenging financial landscape shaped by her journey as a first-generation college student. With over $150K in student loan debt accrued over 13 years, she recently consolidated her loans and applied for the SAVE program, only to face delays due to litigation affecting her servicer, MOHELA. Compounding her difficulties, Shanna sustained serious injuries in a car accident 1.5 years ago, which left her unable to work for over four months, and her family is just now recovering financially. Recently, she was informed that her monthly payment is set to increase nearly $1,000, which her family is unable to afford. Rising cost of living, ongoing changes in the student loan repayment system like the end of the SAVE plan and restrictions on income-driven repayment plans, and overall uncertainty surrounding financial obligations has left Shanna’s future precarious, as she and her family struggle to balance essential expenses. Sarah Bundy (Brockport, New York) — Sarah is over 50, in SAVE, had a loan in default at one point, and wage garnishment put her income under the federal poverty level. She is unable to save for retirement because of student debt stating, “I have about $60,000 in student loans from SUNY Brockport from 1996. I have been in and out of default and garnishment for almost 30 years. Right now, I am in SAVE forbearance with a $0 monthly amount due. I got the letter from my servicer EdFinancial about a month ago saying I HAD to change to a different plan, but I'm not going anywhere until I have to.” If forced into the new “RAP” plan, Sarah would owe $167/month for the next 30 years, and “would have to work and earn enough to pay that until I’m 86 years old.” ### 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. ABOUT Debt Collective Debt Collective is the nation’s first union of debtors fighting to cancel debts and defend millions of households.

UPDATED JUNE 15, 2026 10:00 AM ET The news surrounding the student loan landscape is constantly shifting, and new changes can be hard to understand. We have heard from borrowers across the country who share the same concern: what can I do now? We will outline actions and suggested next steps for borrowers in different situations to better understand their options and manage their student loans. Note: We are currently following the news regarding the transfer of the student loan portfolio to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. We will provide updates once we have received more information. Table of Contents: The SAVE Plan Default & Delinquency Parent Plus Loan Holders Public Service Loan Forgiveness Borrowers Enrolled in ICR or PAYE Taking On & Consolidating Student Loans On or After July 1, 2026 If You Are Enrolled In The SAVE Plan Note: We are following the news and developments surrounding the SAVE plan and will update this section accordingly. This information is updated and correct as of the date written at the top of this blog post. Developing: In December of 2025, the Department of Education announced that it had reached a settlement with Missouri to bring an end to the Saving On A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, once approved by a judge. On February 27th, 2026, a court dismissed the settlement that would have ended the SAVE plan, leaving it in place and allowing borrowers to benefit from it. Missouri immediately appealed this decision, but a judge doubled down, keeping SAVE in existence. However, on March 9th, 2026, the Eighth Circuit court reversed the dismissal of the settlement, effectively ending the plan. Some borrowers have already started receiving notifications from Federal Student Aid that they will receive further instructions from their loan servicer later this summer. Starting July 1, 2026, borrowers in the SAVE plan will be notified that they have 90 days to apply for a different plan or be placed into the Standard Repayment plan. With all of this in mind, borrowers enrolled in SAVE may want to: Begin to explore other repayment options for the eventual end of SAVE. There are a variety of Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans that are available to borrowers. While not everyone qualifies for all repayment plans, you can use the Loan Simulator at https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator or call your loan servicer and ask what plans you qualify for and what your estimated monthly payments would be. Another helpful tool is the EDCAP NY Repayment Plan calculator, which provides reasonably accurate estimates of your monthly payments but does not verify which repayment plans you qualify for. You do not have to consolidate your loans to exit the SAVE Plan. We are hearing instances where loan servicers are telling borrowers this. This is incorrect. If you benefit from not having to make a monthly payment while in the SAVE forbearance, you may want to consider staying in SAVE until you receive a notice to do otherwise. If you choose to do this, we recommend exploring your options, so you have an idea of what you’ll be paying once you enter repayment. Borrowers in the SAVE forbearance are still accruing interest. If you want to continue to accrue PSLF or IDR credits, you may want to consider switching out of SAVE sooner rather than later. According to the Department of Education, time spent in the SAVE forbearance will NOT count towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness credits. You would need to use the PSLF Buyback Program to buy back the months spent in the SAVE forbearance. These monthly payment amounts will not be based on what payments were under the SAVE plan. Instead, they will be based on a different IDR plan like PAYE, ICR, or IBR. IDR credits cannot be bought back. Staying in SAVE or getting out of SAVE before you receive a notice is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. Borrowers In Default or Delinquency Given recent developments surrounding the transfer of the student loan portfolio to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, if you are behind on your payments, you should explore your options immediately to get your account back into good standing. We recognize that keeping up with student loan payments can be difficult. Borrowers are falling behind on their student loans at rates we have not seen before. If you are delinquent on your student loans or have entered default, there are ways to bring your loans back into good standing. Check whether you are in default. If you are behind on your student loan payments and unsure whether you are in default, log on to studentaid.gov. If there is a red banner at the top of your dashboard, then you may have a loan or multiple loans in default. If you can’t log in to your account, call the Default Resolution Group to see if you have any loans in default. You should also be receiving communications from the Department of Education, your loan servicer, or a default servicer once you enter default. Contact the Default Resolution Group Immediately Call (800) 621-3115 to see how you can get your loans back into good standing. They will also be able to verify if your loans were sent to a default servicer and who that servicer is. You can also contact them online; calling is recommended. If you have not been transferred to a default servicer, call your student loan servicer, ask for a retroactive forbearance to be applied, and apply for an IDR plan. Explore Loan Rehabilitation Loan rehabilitation is an agreement to make nine consecutive payments over a span of 10 months of a negotiated amount to get your account back into good standing. Upon completion, the delinquency status may be removed from your credit report. This is a one-time opportunity. Explore Loan Consolidation You can consolidate your loans into a single direct loan creating a new loan with a new payoff date. This may erase previous PSLF or IDR credits and add interest or collections costs to the principal balance. You can consolidate a single loan or multiple loans, but you cannot consolidate an existing Direct Consolidation loan on its own. There are risks associated with consolidation. Please weigh the pros and cons before deciding how to get your loans out of default. NOTE: Due to current regs, if you consolidate right now, you may erase your repayment history by creating a “new loan”. This may extend your “payoff” date and reset your IDR credits at 0. Parent Plus Loans Holders With the looming student loan system overhaul, repayment options for Parent Plus Loan borrowers could change drastically and become more expensive. Parent Plus Loan borrowers with only pre-July 1, 2026 loans that are consolidated will have access to the current version of the Standard Plan, Fixed “alternative” plans, and two income-driven options: Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Income-Based Repayment (IBR). Parent Plus borrowers with pre-July 1 loans that are unconsolidated will maintain access to the current version of the Standard plan and the Fixed “alternative” plans. If Parent Plus borrowers take out or consolidate loans on or after July 1, they will lose access to all existing options and can repay their loans only under the new Tiered Standard plan. No income-driven repayment option will be available, resulting in higher monthly payments, and no access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Consolidation is not recommended at this time (June 2026). There are risks associated with consolidation. Please weigh the pros and cons of consolidating, especially if you are in default and considering how to bring your loans back into good standing. NOTE: Due to current regulations, if you consolidate right now, you may erase your repayment history by creating a “new loan.” This may extend your “payoff” date and reset your IDR credits to 0. Borrowers Working Towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) The Department of Education announced a final rule that changes employer eligibility for borrowers working towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness. These changes target certain groups and organizations involved with, but not limited to, providing or collaborating on gender-affirming care; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies; and serving immigrant populations, including those in sanctuary cities or states. While the rule is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, it is currently being held up in court by three ongoing lawsuits looking to vacate the rule, which may delay its implementation. In the meantime, this is what borrowers working towards PSLF can do: Screenshot, print, save, and document any current PSLF credits that are displayed on your studentaid.gov dashboard. This will help you in the event that there are any discrepancies or errors regarding your PSLF credit counts. Recertify your employment sometime now and before July 1, 2026. We recommend that you recertify your employment now and again around May/June 2026 to ensure you have the most up-to-date PSLF credit counts in the event your employer is deemed ineligible. Should your employer be deemed ineligible for PSLF, you will receive a notice, and your past PSLF credits should remain intact. After your employer is deemed ineligible, you would no longer accrue new PSLF credits. Borrowers Enrolled In Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) The ICR and PAYE Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans are set to be phased out by July 1, 2028, but it may be sooner. Borrowers enrolled in these plans should explore their options. These options are only available to borrowers with loans issued or consolidated before July 1, 2026. Explore other repayment plan options. Once these plans are phased out, the remaining IDR plan options will be the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). A Note on RAP: RAP will be available starting July 1, 2026, but may result in higher monthly payments than other IDR plans and longer repayment terms. RAP bases monthly payment amounts on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) instead of disposable income, and forgiveness is granted after 30 years’ worth of IDR credits. Parent Plus loans cannot access RAP. Find estimated monthly payments by: Using the loan simulator on https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator, but the estimated monthly payments may not be accurate. Using the EDCAP NY Repayment Plan Calculator Tool for a more accurate estimate of your monthly payment, but it will not verify what plans you qualify for. It does include calculations for RAP, unlike the loan simulator. If You Are A New Borrower Or Plan On Taking Out Student Loans Post - July 2026 If you are planning to take out or consolidate loans on or after July 1, 2026, this is what you can do to prepare for upcoming changes. Ensure you have access to your studentaid.gov account Update contact information to your personal information, not your school’s. This is the main hub for all student loan program applications and information Create an account with your student loan servicer. This is where you will make your payments and ask questions pertaining to your student loan account. You can find who your servicer is on studentaid.gov Borrow only what you need. Since the student loan repayment system will be more restrictive in the coming years with loan limits, expensive repayment plans, and less borrower protections, it is recommended that you seek alternative funding sources, such as grants and scholarships, before taking out loans. Should you need to borrow money for school, only borrow the amount that you need. Federal student loans still have access to loan forgiveness pathways and more borrower protections than private student loans. Understand the incoming changes. Borrowers with loans taken on or after July 1, 2026 will only have access to the New Standard Repayment Plan and Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). These plans may offer longer repayment periods or more expensive monthly payments. The repayment term for RAP is 30 years. Parent Plus borrowers will not have access to RAP. ### 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.

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Press Contact: press@protectborrowers.org; samantha.seng@nextgenpolicy.org Former CFPB Director Chopra Will Be Charged with Protecting Borrowers and Consumers Amidst Growing Affordability Crisis May 13, 2026 | SACRAMENTO, CA — Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced that he will appoint Rohit Chopra, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to lead the new statewide Business and Consumer Services Agency, which will focus on protecting families and small businesses across California’s economy. The move comes as the Trump Administration has gutted the CFPB, the sole federal consumer financial law enforcement agency charged with protecting everyday families in the financial marketplace – and as record numbers of Californians fall behind on their student loans. The new agency will launch on July 1, 2026 and provide a much-needed response to the efforts by the Trump Administration to roll back consumer protections, including the millions of students and student loan borrowers who call California home. In response, the Campaign for California Borrowers’ Rights issued the following statement: “We applaud Governor Newsom’s appointment of Rohit Chopra to lead a new state agency focused on consumer protections and business regulation. As CFPB director, Rohit fought tirelessly to protect students and borrowers from being cheated and preyed upon by big banks and student loan servicers looking to pad their pockets and profiteer off of the student loan debt crisis. Under the Trump Administration, the CFPB has been gutted and students and families with student loan debt have been left to fend for themselves. “As California remains in the midst of an affordability crisis and as nearly 4 million Californians are crushed by more than $171 billion in student loan debt, we welcome Chopra’s fearless leadership and resolve to stand up for working families, strengthen consumer protections, and help bring down costs for Californians.” About the Campaign for California Borrowers’ Rights The Campaign for California Borrowers’ Rights is a diverse coalition of organizations representing students, workers, consumers, older people, communities of color, veterans, and millions of other Californians affected by the student debt crisis. The Campaign is led by NextGen California, Protect Borrowers, Student Debt Crisis Center, and Young Invincibles. More information about the Campaign is available at https://www.californiaborrowers.org/. ### About Student Debt Crisis Center Student Debt Crisis Center is a national advocacy organization with over 2,000,000 supporters calling for fundamental reforms to student loan policies and an end to the student debt crisis. Learn more here.

Bipartisan, Independent Citizens-Legislative Commissioners Express Grave Concerns Over Lack of Transparency, Accountability and Consumer Protections in Underregulated Institutional Debt Crisis FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2026 Contact: Team SDCC info@studentdebtcrisis.org March 26, 2026 | SACRAMENTO, CA  — On March 26, 2026 students, borrower advocates, and academic experts testified before the Little Hoover Commission’s hearing entitled, “Student Institutional Debt in California.” The historic hearing was convened in response to a request   from Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco and the Campaign for California Borrower Rights coalition and marked the first time the independent citizens-legislative commission is investigating the growth of institutional debt and exploring potential policy solutions to better protect students. To see a press release from the Commission released after the hearing and to watch a recording of the hearing, click here .  The experts sounded the alarm on the need to address the more than $390 million in institutional debt owed to California public colleges and universities and the need to strengthen consumer protections and increase transparency. Witnesses urged the Commission to support policies that rein in punitive debt collection practices that reduce college completion and trap students in poverty. The experts also called for much-needed transparency into the growing and underregulated institutional debt market by requiring schools to annually report on institutional debt and publicly disclose their debt collection policies and practices. Commissioners expressed significant concern over the lack of data and transparency into this growing debt market and the aggressive collection tactics schools use to collect on this debt that ultimately lock students out of continuing their education. Commissioners also pushed back on representatives of public colleges and universities for opposing efforts to address the institutional debt crisis.  Below are notable statements from Commissioners during the hearing. To view notable moments, see here . “It is really hard to manage what you don’t measure…” Chairman Nava, in response to the lack of transparency and data collection into institutional debt at public colleges. “We have all these laws in terms of buying a car…truth and disclosure for buying solar panels… on rates, terms and agreement…it’s interesting that we don’t have that…for students…” Commissioner Hernandez in response to the lack of mandated transparency and disclosure to students that may need to repay schools for grant aid that is returned to the state or federal government. “We should be talking about preventing students from becoming debtors, not how to better collect debt from them...” Commissioner Beier, in response to the approaches policymakers have taken thus far to protect students from institutional debt. “I have a business and occasionally we have to employ debt collectors, and I think they are 0% successful, it doesn’t work for us…” Vice Chair Cannella regarding the success of utilizing debt collectors in order to collect institutional debts. “But they don’t [have data]...because if they did it would be immoral to try to collect money from people  who are suffering grievous hardship due to illness or family economic circumstances and that is not what schools are supposed to do” Commissioner Beier in response to the lack of data collected by schools on the reasons behind students drop out of school and accrue institutional debt. "Institutional debt and the fear of more debt and a delayed graduation forced me to make a choice no student should ever make - my family or my future…” Stephanie Cartney, UCLA Alumna in response to the way that institutional debt and the collections tactics used by her college hindered her progress towards graduation. The hearing featured testimony from expert witnesses including Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, representing California’s 64th Assembly District and author of AB 850; Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director at Protect Borrowers; Dalié Jiménez, Professor of Law at University of California Irvine School of Law and Director of the Student Loan Law Initiative; Charlie Eaton, Associate Professor of Sociology at University of California, Merced, and Co-Founder of The Higher Education, Race, and the Economy (HERE) Lab; Samantha Seng, Legislative Director & Policy Advisor at NextGen California; and Stephany Cartney, UCLA Alumna and Young Invincibles Youth Advisory Board member. Written witness testimonies are available here . Background Institutional debt is debt a student owes directly to an institution of higher education due to unpaid tuition or other financial obligations. The majority of this debt is incurred when students with federal aid have to unexpectedly withdraw before the end of a term, and their institution is required to return their aid money. Schools then charge the student for the amount of the returned aid, converting it into debt owed to the school directly. Across the nation, it is estimated  that 6.6 million individuals owe a collective $15 billion in institutional debt.  This is a multi-billion-dollar underregulated debt market that must be addressed by policymakers before it is too late. As a result of the public health and economic tool of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional debts have ballooned, leading to more than 750,000 low-income students owing more than $390 million in student debt to California public colleges and universities.  These debts almost exclusively harm low-income students and those from racially marginalized communities because federal student aid—in particular, Pell Grants—is awarded based on need. Students who owe institutional debt—debts owed directly to their college or university—face harmful and aggressive collections practices by their schools, including enrollment and degree holds that prevent students from re-enrolling in their coursework and receiving their hard-earned diplomas. Students can also see their tax refund and critical benefits offset by the Franchise Tax Board’s Interagency Intercept Collection Program and be referred to for-profit, third-party debt collectors that can report past due institutional debt on a student’s credit report, damaging their credit scores and making it harder to secure employment and housing. The Campaign for California Borrower Rights coalition has been working in partnership with Assemblywoman Pacheco on legislation to strengthen protections for students with institutional debt and increase transparency into the growth of this debt and the practices schools use to collect it. Thus far, AB 1160 (2023) and AB 850 (2025) have been held on the suspense file by the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committee. These forms of debt collection are drastically more harmful to the student than it is effective for the school. Academic research  found that the proposals included in AB 1160 would have been revenue positive for colleges and universities across the state; re-enrolling just 33% of students currently barred from re-enrollment due to outstanding institutional debts would have been able to bring in $215 million in tuition and fees annually. The analysis also showed that by re-enrolling students, universities could earn 500% more than what schools currently bring in through third-party debt collectors. Further Reading The Los Angeles Times coverage of the recent investigation into current transcript withholding policies by California public colleges and universities: Why California colleges can no longer withhold transcripts over unpaid fees A study of California students’ institutional debt accrual during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic: Creditor Colleges: Canceling Debts that Surges During COVID-19 for Low-Income Students A nationwide study found that nearly 6.6 million individuals owe schools $15 billion in institutional debts: Solving Stranded Credits: Assessing the Scope and Effects of Transcript Withholding on Students, States, and Institutions A policy brief by California academics estimates that state consumer protections for students who owe institutional debts could be revenue positive for institutions: Policy Brief Virginia legislature study of institutional debts at Virginia public colleges and universities reveals that debts are disproportionately owed by Black students, Hispanic students, and low-income students: Report on Student Debt Collection Practices and Policies at Public Institutions of Higher Education (2022 Appropriation Act, Item 128.C) Press release when AB 1313 was signed into law and transcript withholding prohibited: Attorney General Becerra and Assemblymember Rivas Bill to Prohibit Colleges from Withholding Transcripts as Debt Collection Tactic Signed into Law ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2026 Contact: Natalia Abrams info@studentdebtcrisis.org On Tuesday, March 31 at 12:30 EST / 9:30 PST, the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is hosting the State of Student Debt Summit, a virtual event uniting student loan borrowers, policy experts, and borrower advocates to discuss upcoming changes to the federal student loan landscape and issues relevant to the millions of Americans constrained by student loan debt. The summit will go into detail explaining recent updates to federal student loan policy, including the state of the SAVE Plan, tools to keep borrowers informed, and an in-depth guide to navigating your student loan options presented by featured guest speakers. As the national affordability crisis worsens and millions of borrowers remain confused about their student loan repayment plan options, this event aims to clarify the current student loan landscape, amplify borrowers' voices, and detail solutions to end the student debt crisis for good.  Speaker List Natalia Abrams , President, SDCC Sabrina Calazans , Lead Borrower Strategist, SDCC Sabrina Cereceres , Special Projects & Free the Degree Director, SDCC Celina Damian , Student Loan Servicing Ombudsperson, California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation Aissa Canchola Banez , Policy Director, Protect Borrowers Kyra Taylor , Staff Attorney, National Consumer Law Center Julia Barnard , Higher Education Policy Director, Debt Collective Michelle Jarvis-Lettman , Student Loan Ombudsperson, Connecticut Office of the Student Loan Ombudsperson What: State of Student Debt Summit – a virtual discussion featuring a webinar, Q&A, and calls to action When: Tuesday, March 31st at 12:30 PM EST / 9:30 AM PST Where: Online – via Zoom For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Natalia Abrams at 310-365-1069 or info@studentdebtcrisis.org . You can register for the event here . ### About Student Debt Crisis Center Student Debt Crisis Center is a national advocacy organization with over 2,000,000 supporters calling for fundamental reforms to student loan policies and an end to the student debt crisis. Learn more here.