Student Loan Repayment Guide: Every Plan, Every Option, and What to Do Right Now
The student loan repayment landscape changed more dramatically on July 1, 2026 than it has in a generation. Two brand-new repayment plans launched. The SAVE plan — which covered 7.5 million borrowers — ended. Two legacy income-driven plans stopped accepting new enrollments. And millions of borrowers are now being notified they must make a decision about their repayment plan within 90 days.
This guide is your complete starting point for every student loan repayment decision in 2026. It covers every federal repayment plan currently available, explains the July 2026 changes in plain language, and routes you to a dedicated guide for every subtopic where you need to go deeper.
One sobering reality before you begin: according to a 2024 CFPB Student Loan Report, 42% of federal student loan borrowers have only ever been on the Standard Repayment Plan — and 31% of them did not know they could choose a different one. If that is you, the right plan for your situation could save you hundreds of dollars per month.
The right student loan repayment plan can save you hundreds of dollars per month — but choosing it requires understanding what changed on July 1, 2026.
Student Loan Repayment Guide: Topic Overview
Use this table to jump directly to the full spoke guide most relevant to your situation right now.
| Topic | What You Will Learn | Start Here If… | Full Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAFSA explained | How FAFSA works and what it determines | You are applying for federal aid for the first time | Full guide → |
| Federal vs. private loans | Key differences and which protections you have | You are comparing loan types or considering refinancing | Full guide → |
| Forgiveness programs | PSLF, IDR forgiveness, and eligibility requirements | You are working toward loan forgiveness | Full guide → |
| IDR plans explained | How every income-driven plan calculates your payment | You want a deep dive on IBR, PAYE, ICR, or RAP | Full guide → |
| Default consequences | What happens when loans go into default and how to recover | You have missed payments or received collection notices | Full guide → |
| Pay off loans fast | Strategies to eliminate student debt ahead of schedule | You want to pay off loans as fast as possible | Full guide → |
| Refinancing decision | When refinancing makes sense and what you give up | You are considering refinancing to a private lender | Full guide → |
| College budgeting | How to budget during school to minimize borrowing | You are currently enrolled and want to borrow less | Full guide → |
What Are the Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans Available in 2026?
The most important thing to understand about this list is that not all plans are available to all borrowers. Which plans you can access depends primarily on when your loans were disbursed and whether you take out new loans or consolidate after July 1, 2026.
| Plan | Payment Formula | Forgiveness | PSLF Eligible? | New Enrollments? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAP (new Jul 2026) | 1–10% AGI; $10 min; $50/dependent reduction | 30 years | Yes | Yes — new and existing borrowers |
| Tiered Standard (new Jul 2026) | Fixed; based on balance (10/15/20/25 yr tiers) | None | No | Yes — new borrowers and SAVE transition |
| IBR | 10–15% discretionary income | 20–25 years | Yes | Yes — expanded (no hardship req.) |
| PAYE | 10% discretionary income | 20 years | Yes | No new enrollments after Jul 2026 |
| ICR | 20% discretionary income or 12-yr fixed | 25 years | Yes | No new enrollments after Jul 2026 |
| Standard | Fixed payment over 10 years | None | No | Yes — always available |
| Graduated | Increases every 2 years over 10 years | None | No | Yes — always available |
| Extended | Fixed or graduated over 25 years | None | No | Yes — requires $30K+ balance |
| 📅 All plan details reflect the OBBBA changes effective July 1, 2026. Verify current enrollment rules at StudentAid.gov/plans before enrolling. IBR = Income-Based Repayment. AGI = Adjusted Gross Income. | ||||
How Do You Choose the Right Student Loan Repayment Plan?
Track 1 — If Your Loans Were Borrowed Before July 1, 2026
You have the broadest range of options — but they come with one critical rule: do not take out a new federal loan or consolidate any of your loans after July 1, 2026, or you will lose access to every legacy plan for your entire portfolio.
If you take out even one new loan or consolidate any of your existing loans after July 1, 2026, you will lose access to IBR, PAYE, ICR, and all legacy repayment options for your entire loan portfolio — including loans borrowed before July 1, 2026. You will be limited to only RAP or the Tiered Standard Plan. This is irreversible.
- Do not consolidate without fully understanding this consequence first
- Do not take out a Parent PLUS loan for a child if you want to keep your existing IDR access
- If you are considering consolidation, consult a student loan advisor before proceeding
For Track 1 borrowers, the best plan depends on three variables: your income relative to your loan balance, whether you are pursuing forgiveness (PSLF or IDR), and how long you plan to repay. IBR is now the strongest income-driven option for most Track 1 borrowers — it has been expanded to no longer require a partial financial hardship and offers 20–25 year forgiveness with full PSLF eligibility.
If your family size has recently changed or you are expecting a baby, note that the number of dependents in your household directly reduces your RAP payment by $50 per dependent per month. See the guide to financial planning for a baby for how student loan repayment interacts with your broader family financial plan.
Track 2 — If Any of Your Loans Were Borrowed On or After July 1, 2026
Your options are clear and limited to two: the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or the Tiered Standard Plan. RAP is the income-driven option — your payment is based on 1–10% of your AGI with a $10 minimum and a $50 reduction per dependent per month. Tiered Standard is the fixed-payment option — your payment is determined by your loan balance across 10, 15, 20, or 25 year tiers.
For Track 2 borrowers pursuing PSLF, RAP is the only qualifying income-driven option available. Enroll in RAP, not Tiered Standard, if public service forgiveness is your goal.
What Is Your Repayment Situation? Five Borrower Profiles
Five Profiles — Find Yours and Go to Your Section
- Profile 1 — SAVE Plan Borrower: You were enrolled in SAVE and received (or expect) a transition notice from your servicer. Go to the SAVE transition section — you have a 90-day deadline to act.
- Profile 2 — New 2026 Borrower: All your loans were disbursed on or after July 1, 2026. You have two options: RAP or Tiered Standard. Go to the RAP section for your decision.
- Profile 3 — PSLF Borrower: You are working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness with existing payment count. Go to the PSLF section before switching any plan.
- Profile 4 — Behind or in Default: You have missed payments or received a collections notice. Go to the default section immediately — collections and wage garnishment are active in 2026.
- Profile 5 — Parent PLUS Borrower: You borrowed Parent PLUS loans. Go to the Parent PLUS section — your options changed significantly in 2026.
What Is the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) — and Who Does It Help?
📅 New Plan — Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) — Launched July 1, 2026
RAP was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law July 4, 2025. Key features verified at StudentAid.gov:
- Payment = 1–10% of AGI based on graduated income brackets
- Minimum payment: $10 per month regardless of income
- Dependent reduction: $50 per dependent per month off your payment
- Unpaid interest waived each month if you make your required payment
- Principal matching: lender applies a matching payment toward your principal each month you pay on time
- Forgiveness: after 30 years of qualifying payments
- PSLF eligible: yes — qualifies as an IDR plan for PSLF purposes
📅 RAP implementing regulations are still being finalized. Verify current payment brackets at StudentAid.gov/RAP before enrolling.
How Much Will You Pay Under RAP at Different Income Levels?
| Annual AGI | No Dependents | 1 Dependent (-$50) | 2 Dependents (-$100) | 3 Dependents (-$150) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | ~$21/mo | $10/mo (min) | $10/mo (min) | $10/mo (min) |
| $40,000 | ~$117/mo | ~$67/mo | ~$17/mo | $10/mo (min) |
| $55,000 | ~$183/mo | ~$133/mo | ~$83/mo | ~$33/mo |
| $75,000 | ~$375/mo | ~$325/mo | ~$275/mo | ~$225/mo |
| $100,000 | ~$625/mo | ~$575/mo | ~$525/mo | ~$475/mo |
| 📅 Estimates based on RAP 1–10% AGI formula with $50/dependent reduction. Actual payments depend on final implementing regulations and your certified AGI. Use the StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator for a personalized calculation before enrolling. | ||||
Does RAP Count Toward PSLF or IBR Forgiveness?
RAP payments count toward PSLF forgiveness. However, RAP payments do NOT count toward IBR, PAYE, or ICR forgiveness. If you are currently on a path to IBR's 20–25 year forgiveness and you switch to RAP, your IBR forgiveness clock resets to zero. You would need to complete 30 years on RAP to receive forgiveness — 5 to 10 years longer than IBR.
- If you are pursuing PSLF: RAP qualifies — it is a safe choice for new Track 2 borrowers
- If you have significant IBR forgiveness progress: do NOT switch to RAP — stay on IBR
- If you are undecided: run both scenarios through the StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator before deciding
Read the full guide to income-driven repayment plans for a complete breakdown of how RAP, IBR, PAYE, and ICR each calculate your payment and forgiveness timeline.
Watch this video guide covering the 2026 federal student loan repayment changes, including the new RAP plan, the SAVE transition, and how to choose the right repayment option for your situation.
What Are the Income-Driven Repayment Plans Still Available in 2026?
What Is IBR — and Can You Still Enroll in 2026?
Yes. Income-Based Repayment (IBR) remains fully available for enrollment in 2026 and is the strongest legacy IDR option for most existing borrowers. Under the OBBBA, the requirement to demonstrate partial financial hardship was removed as of December 2025, meaning far more borrowers can now enroll regardless of income level.
IBR payments are 10% of discretionary income if you are a new borrower (first borrowing on or after July 1, 2014) or 15% if you are an older borrower. Forgiveness comes after 20 years for new borrowers or 25 years for older borrowers. IBR fully qualifies for PSLF.
Are PAYE and ICR Still Available — and Should You Stay on Them?
If you are currently enrolled in PAYE or ICR, you may stay on your current plan until July 2028. No new enrollments were accepted after July 1, 2026. Both plans will fully end in July 2028 — at which point existing enrollees will need to switch to RAP, IBR, or another available plan.
If you are on PAYE or ICR and approaching your forgiveness date, staying put until forgiveness is the generally recommended approach. If you are far from forgiveness and your payments would be lower on IBR, consider switching. Run the comparison at StudentAid.gov before making any change.
What Is the Difference Between RAP and IBR?
| Factor | RAP (New — July 2026) | IBR (Legacy — Expanded Dec 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Payment formula | 1–10% of AGI (graduated brackets) | 10–15% of discretionary income |
| Minimum payment | $10/month | $0 if income is very low |
| Dependent reduction | $50/dependent/month off payment | Dependents reduce discretionary income |
| Interest waiver | Yes — unpaid interest waived monthly | Partial interest subsidy in some cases |
| Principal matching | Yes — lender matches on-time payments | No principal matching |
| Forgiveness timeline | 30 years | 20 years (new borrowers) / 25 years (older) |
| PSLF eligible? | Yes | Yes |
| Counts toward IBR forgiveness? | No — RAP time does not count toward IBR forgiveness | Yes |
| Who can enroll? | All federal borrowers | All federal borrowers (hardship req. removed) |
| 📅 Comparison based on OBBBA implementing guidance as of July 2026. Verify enrollment rules at StudentAid.gov/plans. | ||
I Was in the SAVE Plan — What Do I Need to Do Right Now?
The SAVE plan was legally vacated by a federal court order on March 10, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, federal loan servicers started issuing transition notices to all 7.5 million SAVE plan enrollees. Each notice includes a specific 90-day deadline by which you must choose a new plan.
What Happens if You Miss the 90-Day Transition Deadline?
You will not lose your loans, and your payment history will be preserved. However, your servicer will automatically enroll you in either the Standard Repayment Plan or the Tiered Standard Plan — both of which calculate payments based on your loan balance rather than your income. For most borrowers, this means a significantly higher monthly payment than any income-driven option.
You can still switch to an income-driven plan after automatic enrollment — but every month you spend on a higher-payment plan costs money you cannot recover. Act before your specific deadline.
How Do You Switch From SAVE to a New Plan at StudentAid.gov?
5-Step SAVE Plan Transition Guide
- Log into StudentAid.gov at studentaid.gov/login using your FSA ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, create one first — it takes 1 to 3 business days to verify.
- Check your current plan and balance under "My Aid." Note your loan servicer's name — you will receive your 90-day notice from them, not from StudentAid.gov directly.
- Run the Loan Simulator at studentaid.gov/loan-simulator. Enter your income, family size, and loan balance to see estimated monthly payments under RAP, IBR, and every other option side by side.
- Apply for your chosen plan at studentaid.gov/idr. The application takes approximately 10 minutes. You will need your most recent federal tax return AGI or a pay stub if your income has changed significantly.
- Confirm enrollment with your servicer — log into your servicer's website (MOHELA, Nelnet, Aidvantage, or EdFinancial) within 2 to 3 weeks to confirm your new plan is active and your new payment amount.
What Are the Standard and New Tiered Standard Repayment Plans?
The Graduated Repayment Plan starts with lower payments that increase every two years over 10 years. It is designed for borrowers who expect their income to grow. Like the Standard plan, it does not qualify for PSLF.
What Is the New Tiered Standard Repayment Plan — and Who Is It For?
The Tiered Standard Plan is a new option that launched July 1, 2026 under the OBBBA. It assigns borrowers to a repayment term (10, 15, 20, or 25 years) based on their total loan balance, with fixed monthly payments within that tier. It was designed to provide predictable payments for new borrowers and serves as the default plan for SAVE borrowers who do not switch within their 90-day transition window.
The Tiered Standard Plan does not qualify for PSLF and does not offer forgiveness at the end of the repayment term. For most borrowers with income lower than their loan balance, an income-driven plan will produce lower monthly payments. Use the StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator to compare your specific payment under Tiered Standard vs. RAP or IBR before accepting a default enrollment.
Read the full guide to how to pay off your student loans faster if you choose a standard plan and want strategies to eliminate your debt ahead of schedule.
What Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness — and How Does It Work in 2026?
PSLF remains one of the most powerful student loan benefits available in 2026, though the plan changes have altered which repayment plans qualify for new borrowers.
Which Repayment Plans Qualify for PSLF in 2026?
| Plan | PSLF Eligible? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RAP | Yes | Only qualifying IDR for new (Track 2) borrowers |
| IBR | Yes | Best option for legacy borrowers pursuing PSLF |
| PAYE | Yes | No new enrollments after July 2026; grandfathered until July 2028 |
| ICR | Yes | No new enrollments after July 2026; grandfathered until July 2028 |
| Standard Repayment | No | Does not qualify — switch to an IDR plan for PSLF |
| Graduated Repayment | No | Does not qualify |
| Tiered Standard | No | Does not qualify — new borrowers pursuing PSLF must use RAP |
| 📅 Verify your employer's PSLF eligibility using the PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov before making any plan changes. | ||
What Happens to Your PSLF Progress if You Switch Plans?
Read the complete guide to student loan forgiveness programs for a full breakdown of PSLF eligibility, qualifying employers, the Limited PSLF Waiver legacy, and IDR forgiveness milestones.
Key Takeaway
The July 1, 2026 repayment changes created a Two-Track system that every federal student loan borrower needs to understand. If all your loans predate July 1, 2026, you have more options — but you must not consolidate or borrow new loans or those options disappear permanently. If any of your loans postdate July 1, 2026, your only income-driven option is RAP.
For the 7.5 million borrowers coming out of SAVE: you have a 90-day window to choose your next plan. Do not let that deadline pass and get defaulted into a higher-payment option. Log into StudentAid.gov, run the Loan Simulator, and make your choice. It takes less than 15 minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars per month.
What Happens If You Are Behind on Student Loans or in Default?
More than 5 million borrowers were in default when collections resumed in May 2025, and an estimated 4 million more may enter default in the months ahead. If you have received a collections notice or a garnishment warning, act now — do not wait for the situation to escalate.
Read the full guide to what happens if you default on student loans for a complete timeline, all consequences, and every recovery option.
What Is Student Loan Rehabilitation — and Has the OBBBA Changed It?
Loan rehabilitation removes your loan from default status after you make 9 voluntary, on-time monthly payments within a 10-month period. Your credit report's default notation is removed once rehabilitation is complete. Rehabilitation also stops active collections activity — including wage garnishment — as long as your payment plan is active.
📅 New Under OBBBA — A Second Rehabilitation Opportunity
Prior to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, federal law only allowed borrowers a single student loan rehabilitation opportunity. Under the OBBBA, borrowers now have a second chance to rehabilitate a defaulted loan even if they previously used their first rehabilitation opportunity and re-defaulted.
If you previously went through rehabilitation and then defaulted again — and believed you had no further options — this is a significant new benefit. Verify eligibility and next steps at StudentAid.gov/get-out-of-default.
How Do You Stop Wage Garnishment on Student Loans?
If your wages are being garnished due to a federal student loan default, you have three options to stop it:
- Enter rehabilitation — contact your loan holder or Default Resolution Group at myeddebt.ed.gov and arrange 9 rehabilitation payments. Garnishment typically stops once a payment plan is established and the first payment is made.
- Consolidate the defaulted loan — consolidating into a Direct Consolidation Loan and enrolling in an income-driven plan brings the loan out of default. Note: if you consolidate after July 1, 2026, you lose access to legacy IDR plans. Weigh this carefully before proceeding.
- Repay the loan in full — immediately stops all collection activity. Rarely practical but available.
What Are Your Options for Parent PLUS Loans in 2026?
The deadline to consolidate Parent PLUS loans and access income-driven repayment was April 1, 2026. This window has closed. Parent PLUS loans consolidated after this date are now only eligible for the Tiered Standard Plan — not RAP or any income-driven plan. If you missed this deadline, your options are the Standard Repayment Plan, Extended Repayment (if your balance exceeds $30,000), or the Graduated Repayment Plan. Consult a student loan attorney or CCSLP advisor to evaluate your specific situation.
For Parent PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, the situation is more restrictive: there is currently no income-driven repayment pathway and no path to PSLF for new Parent PLUS borrowers. If you are planning to borrow Parent PLUS loans in the future, consult a financial advisor about whether the loan amount is manageable under Standard Repayment before signing.
Should You Refinance Your Student Loans in 2026?
The case for refinancing has shifted in 2026. When SAVE offered potential $0 payments and accelerated forgiveness, refinancing to a private loan made little sense for most borrowers. With SAVE ended and RAP offering a longer 30-year forgiveness timeline, some borrowers — particularly those with high income, no forgiveness goals, and large loan balances — may find that a lower private interest rate saves more money than staying federal.
Before refinancing, confirm: (1) you are not pursuing PSLF or any IDR forgiveness program, (2) you have at least 3 to 6 months of emergency savings, and (3) your private rate offer is at least 1 to 2 percentage points below your current federal rate. Read the complete guide to whether refinancing your student loans makes sense in 2026 for a full cost comparison and decision framework. Also understand the full difference between federal and private student loans before converting.
What Tax Benefits Do Student Loan Borrowers Get in 2026?
One critical 2026 tax interaction: if you are married and on an income-driven repayment plan, your tax filing status directly affects your monthly payment. Filing jointly increases your IDR payment because your spouse's income is counted. Filing separately preserves your individual income for IDR purposes but forfeits the student loan interest deduction and other joint-filing benefits. This is the exact trade-off covered in the marriage and money guide — see the IDR and tax filing section for a full worked-dollar analysis.
Your 2026 Student Loan Repayment Action Checklist
Find your situation below and work through your specific action items.
If You Were in the SAVE Plan
- Log into StudentAid.gov and check your servicer's name under My Aid
- Watch for your servicer's 90-day transition notice — it began going out July 1, 2026
- Run the Loan Simulator at studentaid.gov/loan-simulator to compare RAP vs. IBR for your situation
- Apply for your new plan at studentaid.gov/idr before your specific 90-day deadline
- Confirm new plan and payment amount with your servicer within 2 to 3 weeks
If You Are Choosing a Plan for the First Time
- Determine your track: were all your loans disbursed before July 1, 2026 (Track 1) or after (Track 2)?
- Track 1: compare IBR vs. RAP payment using the Loan Simulator
- Track 2: compare RAP vs. Tiered Standard using the Loan Simulator
- If pursuing PSLF: enroll in RAP (Track 2) or IBR (Track 1) — do not choose Standard or Tiered Standard
- Do not consolidate after July 1, 2026 unless you fully understand you will lose all legacy plan access
- Certify your income annually at studentaid.gov to keep your IDR payment current
If You Are Behind or in Default
- Contact your loan holder or Default Resolution Group at myeddebt.ed.gov immediately
- Ask about rehabilitation — 9 payments stops collections and restores your repayment options
- If you previously rehabilitated and re-defaulted, ask about the new OBBBA second rehabilitation opportunity
- Do not consolidate a defaulted loan after July 1, 2026 without first confirming you will not need IBR access
- Contact TISLA (freestudentloanadvice.org) for free guidance on your specific situation
Where to Start With Your Student Loan Repayment in 2026
The borrowers who navigate the 2026 repayment changes most successfully will not be the ones with the smallest balances or the highest incomes. They will be the ones who understood the Two-Track System, chose their plan before the automatic-enrollment deadline, and avoided the two critical traps: the consolidation trap and the RAP forgiveness counting trap.
If you are a SAVE borrower, your most important action is the same as the first step on the checklist above: log into StudentAid.gov today, run the Loan Simulator, and apply for your new plan before your servicer's 90-day window closes. Everything else can wait. That one action cannot.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the most important income-driven plan question:
Income-Driven Repayment Plans Explained →
Frequently Asked Questions: Student Loan Repayment in 2026
What repayment plan should I choose in 2026?
It depends on when you borrowed. If all your loans predate July 1, 2026, compare IBR and RAP using the StudentAid.gov Loan Simulator — IBR is stronger if you have significant forgiveness progress, RAP may offer a lower payment otherwise. If any loan was disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, your only income-driven option is RAP. If pursuing PSLF, always choose an IDR plan over any standard option.
What is the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)?
RAP is a new federal repayment plan that launched July 1, 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Payments are 1% to 10% of your AGI with a $10 minimum and a $50 reduction per dependent. Interest is waived each month you pay on time, and lenders make a matching principal payment. Forgiveness comes after 30 years. RAP qualifies for PSLF but does not count toward IBR forgiveness.
What happens if I do not switch from the SAVE plan?
If you do not choose a new plan within the 90-day window your servicer communicates, you will be automatically enrolled in the Standard Repayment Plan or the new Tiered Standard Plan. Both are based on your loan balance rather than your income and typically produce higher monthly payments than income-driven options. You can switch to an IDR plan afterward, but you will have overpaid in the interim.
Does IBR still exist in 2026?
Yes. Income-Based Repayment (IBR) remains fully available in 2026 and was expanded under the OBBBA to remove the partial financial hardship requirement — meaning more borrowers can now enroll. IBR pays 10% or 15% of discretionary income, offers 20–25 year forgiveness, and qualifies for PSLF. It remains the strongest legacy IDR option for most existing borrowers.
Will my RAP payments count toward student loan forgiveness?
RAP payments count toward PSLF forgiveness (120 payments with a qualifying employer). However, RAP payments do NOT count toward IBR, PAYE, or ICR forgiveness timelines. If you have built up payment history toward IBR's 20–25 year forgiveness, switching to RAP resets that clock. You would need 30 years on RAP instead of the remaining years on IBR. Run both scenarios before switching.
What happens if I consolidate after July 1, 2026?
If you consolidate any of your existing loans or take out a new federal loan after July 1, 2026, you permanently lose access to IBR, PAYE, ICR, and all legacy repayment plans for your entire loan portfolio. You will be limited to only RAP or the Tiered Standard Plan. This is irreversible. Do not consolidate without fully understanding this consequence and ideally consulting a student loan advisor first.
Can I refinance my federal student loans and keep federal protections?
No. Refinancing federal loans into a private loan permanently converts them. You lose all federal repayment plan options including RAP and IBR, all forgiveness programs including PSLF and IDR forgiveness, and all federal deferment and forbearance protections. Refinancing only makes sense if you are not pursuing any forgiveness program and a private lender offers a meaningfully lower interest rate than your current federal rate.
How do I get out of student loan default in 2026?
The fastest path out of default is loan rehabilitation: 9 voluntary on-time monthly payments within 10 months removes your loan from default and stops collection activity including wage garnishment. Under the new OBBBA, borrowers who previously used their one rehabilitation opportunity and re-defaulted now have a second chance. Contact the Default Resolution Group at myeddebt.ed.gov or call 1-800-621-3115 to start the process.
Editorial Note This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed, edited for accuracy, and approved by the FocalEvents team before publication. Student loan policy is changing rapidly in 2026 — this page is updated as developments occur. All plan details should be verified at StudentAid.gov before making any repayment decision.
Affiliate Disclosure No affiliate or sponsored links appear in this article. All external links go to primary sources including StudentAid.gov, ED.gov, CFPB.gov, IRS.gov, NCLC StudentLoanBorrowerAssistance.org, TISLA FreeStudentLoanAdvice.org, and myeddebt.ed.gov.