Trump Administration Removes Access to Student Loan Repayment Applications

Millions of borrowers face uncertainty as the Department of Education halts online and paper applications for income-driven repayment plans following a court ruling.

• The Department of Education has removed online and paper applications for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and loan consolidations, leaving borrowers unable to apply or manage these programs.
• This action follows an 8th Circuit Court ruling that blocked the Biden administration's SAVE plan, though critics argue the removal of all IDR applications was not mandated by the court.
• More than 12 million borrowers enrolled in IDR plans are now unable to recertify their incomes or make adjustments to their repayment plans, creating widespread confusion.
• The SAVE plan, which aimed to simplify repayment and offer loan forgiveness, remains paused due to ongoing litigation brought by Republican-led states.
• Borrower advocates and experts warn that this decision could cause significant financial strain for borrowers seeking affordable repayment options or nearing loan forgiveness eligibility.

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