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Student loan repayment plans are changing. Here are key dates, things to know

Student loan repayment plans are changing. Here are key dates, things to know
As the government resumes collection on debt from millions of default student loans, experts warn scammers could be looking to take advantage of borrowers. So if you get *** call from *** debt collector about student loans, here's what you should know. First, ensure the person calling you is legitimate. Check the status of your loan and whether it was turned over to collection by verifying directly with your student loan servicer. Next, know that debt collectors are legally required to provide you with information in writing. Ask for *** validation notice of your debt, which must include the amount owed, the name of the creditor, and *** statement of your rights. If you fall into default, collections may include wage garnishment or tax refund seizure. Contact your loan servicer as soon as possible to explain your situation and discuss your options. And finally, the Department of Education says you should never have to pay for help on your federal student aid. So if you're contacted by *** company asking you to pay for an enrollment, maintenance or subscription fee to help manage your loans, you should walk away. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lowe.
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Updated: 10:11 AM CDT Jul 21, 2025
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Student loan repayment plans are changing. Here are key dates, things to know
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Updated: 10:11 AM CDT Jul 21, 2025
Editorial Standards
Changes are coming to the student loan repayment system, with several key dates for new and current borrowers to remember.President Donald Trump signed his tax bill into law earlier this month, which introduced several changes to the student loan repayment system. At the same time, the SAVE plan — introduced by President Joe Biden in 2023 — has been held up in courts.The next upcoming change occurs to borrowers on the SAVE, or Saving on a Valuable Education, plan. On July 9, the U.S. Department of Education announced the accrual of interest on loans under the SAVE plan would resume on Aug. 1.Can't see the charts? Click here for the best viewing experience.Here’s the timeline of what’s happened and what to expect:Aug. 1: Loans under SAVE to resume interest accrualLoans under the plan have been placed into forbearance and a 0% interest rate since July 2024, the first time an appeals court blocked the implementation of the SAVE plan. The ruling doesn’t mention interest explicitly, but borrowers on the SAVE plan were notified last week about interest restarting.About 7.8 million borrowers are on the SAVE plan, adding up to almost $440 billion in debt. This accounts for more than a third of the country’s student loan debt. SAVE is an income-driven repayment plan that lowered the monthly payments of many, sometimes to $0.Borrowers under SAVE may make payments toward their interest without switching plans, but cannot pay toward principal and are not considered to be in repayment. For borrowers working toward forgiveness, time spent on SAVE does not count toward time needed.July 1, 2026: New repayment plans, caps on graduate loans beginPresident Trump’s tax bill introduced two new payment plans — a revised standard plan and an income-driven plan. These plans will become available July 1 of next year and become the repayment options for a loan disbursed starting that date. Here's what those plans look like: The new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) cancels loans after 30 years of payments. Base payments are calculated as a percentage of adjusted gross income depending on income. The base rate is divided by 12 with $50 subtracted for each dependent to calculate the monthly payments. The minimum monthly payment is $10.In addition to the plan changes, the new law introduced caps on direct unsubsidized loans taken out. The total lifetime maximum allowed per student for all loans, excluding the parent PLUS loan, is $257,500.Graduate and professional students are also capped at a lifetime maximum of $100,000 and $200,000, respectively. The law also gets rid of direct PLUS loans for graduate and professional students, which helps cover the remaining costs after financial aid. July 1, 2028: Current borrower deadline to choose a new plan, if necessaryThe passing of the One Big Beautiful Act also sunsets income-contingent repayment plans, consequently getting rid of the SAVE, REPAYE AND PAYE. Borrowers with loans disbursed before July 1, 2026 who are on the ICR, SAVE, PAYE and REPAYE plans must switch plans by July 1, 2028 or will be automatically enrolled in the new RAP plan.Current borrowers will retain access to the current standard, graduated and extended plans in addition to one of two remaining income-based repayment plans under the condition of not taking out any more student loans.

Changes are coming to the student loan repayment system, with several key dates for new and current borrowers to remember.

President Donald Trump signed his into law earlier this month, which introduced several changes to the student loan repayment system. At the same time, the SAVE plan — introduced by President Joe Biden in 2023 — has been held up in courts.

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The next upcoming change occurs to borrowers on the SAVE, or Saving on a Valuable Education, plan. On July 9, the announced the accrual of interest on loans under the SAVE plan would resume on Aug. 1.

Here’s the timeline of what’s happened and what to expect:

Aug. 1: Loans under SAVE to resume interest accrual

Loans under the plan have been placed into forbearance and a 0% interest rate since July 2024, the first time an appeals court blocked the implementation of the SAVE plan.

The ruling doesn’t mention interest explicitly, but borrowers on the SAVE plan were notified last week about interest restarting.

About 7.8 million borrowers are on the SAVE plan, adding up to almost $440 billion in debt. This accounts for more than a third of the country’s student loan debt. SAVE is an income-driven repayment plan that lowered the monthly payments of many, sometimes to $0.

Borrowers under SAVE may make payments toward their interest without switching plans, but cannot pay toward principal and are not considered to be in repayment. For borrowers working toward forgiveness, time spent on SAVE does not count toward time needed.

July 1, 2026: New repayment plans, caps on graduate loans begin

President Trump’s tax bill introduced two new payment plans — a revised standard plan and an income-driven plan. These plans will become available July 1 of next year and become the repayment options for a loan disbursed starting that date.

Here's what those plans look like:

The new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) cancels loans after 30 years of payments. Base payments are calculated as a percentage of adjusted gross income depending on income. The base rate is divided by 12 with $50 subtracted for each dependent to calculate the monthly payments. The minimum monthly payment is $10.

In addition to the plan changes, the new law introduced caps on direct unsubsidized loans taken out. The total lifetime maximum allowed per student for all loans, excluding the parent PLUS loan, is $257,500.

Graduate and professional students are also capped at a lifetime maximum of $100,000 and $200,000, respectively. The law also gets rid of direct PLUS loans for graduate and professional students, which helps cover the remaining costs after financial aid.

July 1, 2028: Current borrower deadline to choose a new plan, if necessary

The passing of the One Big Beautiful Act also sunsets income-contingent repayment plans, consequently getting rid of the SAVE, REPAYE AND PAYE.

Borrowers with loans disbursed before July 1, 2026 who are on the ICR, SAVE, PAYE and REPAYE plans must switch plans by July 1, 2028 or will be automatically enrolled in the new RAP plan.

Current borrowers will retain access to the current standard, graduated and extended plans in addition to one of two remaining income-based repayment plans under the condition of not taking out any more student loans.