A major student-loan forgiveness program is facing changes — and delays.
Student-loan borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments, have found that their payment counters have not updated to reflect payments that put them at the forgiveness threshold.
For example, some borrowers who made their 120th payment over the past few months are still waiting for their payment counter on Federal Student Aid to reflect that they qualify for relief. The delay means borrowers must choose between continuing to make payments they might not owe or stopping payments and risking being flagged for delinquency.
The Education Department did not comment on the delay or when it will be resolved, and a spokesperson said that the agency “remains committed to ensuring that every qualifying payment is properly credited to a borrower’s account.”
The processing delays are not the only challenge borrowers pursuing PSLF face. President Donald Trump’s student-loan repayment overhaul implemented stricter rules on determining a qualifying PSLF payment, and the Department of Education is fighting in court to implement its plan to narrow eligibility for the program. Some borrowers also had some of their PSLF payments rescinded, which the administration cited to code errors.
Beyond PSLF, borrowers have been navigating Trump’s overhaul and the higher bills it has brought. The administration has said that its changes are intended to simplify a complex repayment system and compel colleges to lower their tuition. Still, borrowers have reported administrative errors and inaccurate account statuses, putting their budgets in limbo.
Ayelet Sheffey covers all things student debt, from the latest Education Department news to stories of borrowers navigating their loans. To stay up to date on her coverage, sign up to get email alerts for her new stories here.
What’s ahead for PSLF borrowers
Following Trump’s repayment changes, the stakes are higher for borrowers to be exactly on time with their payments. Prior to the changes, borrowers were given a 15-day grace period to make a payment so it would count toward PSLF progress. Now, a borrower must make a payment exactly on the day it is due; making a payment even one day late will not count toward PSLF.
Federal Student Aid’s guidance said that a payment qualifies if it is made “on or before the due date,” and that payments don’t need to be consecutive to qualify. This change applies to both the new income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan created under the overhaul, as well as existing repayment plans.
Eligibility for the program is also in litigation. The administration planned to implement a rule on July 1 that would have narrowed PSLF eligibility, excluding employers that do not meet its definition of “public service.” Courts blocked the rule following lawsuits filed by nonprofits.
The Education Department appealed the ruling at the end of August, and the case will not progress through the DC Circuit. There are no immediate changes to PSLF while the court makes another determination.
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