{
  "data_version": "1",
  "schema": "https://whatledto.com/data",
  "id": "federal-student-aid",
  "name": "Federal Student Aid",
  "kind": "regulator",
  "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/federal-student-aid",
  "description": "",
  "same_as": [],
  "timelines": [
    {
      "slug": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "title": "Student Loans After SAVE: From the Court Block to the Repayment Assistance Plan",
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul.json",
      "role": "Education Department office that operates the federal loan portfolio, publishes portfolio data, manages borrower transitions, and directs servicers.",
      "entries": 27,
      "updated_at": "2026-10-19T04:13:24.467271+00:00"
    }
  ],
  "entries": [
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1795,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1795",
      "date": "2026-10-01",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Paper IDR application with RAP enrollment option becomes available",
      "summary": "A revised paper income-driven repayment application with an option to enroll in the Repayment Assistance Plan became available. The Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project reported that the form was released on October 1, 2026.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "National Consumer Law Center",
        "Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Repayment Assistance Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "national-consumer-law-center",
        "student-loan-borrower-assistance-project",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "repayment-assistance-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://studentloanborrowerassistance.org/?eventDisplay=past",
          "outlet": "Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, National Consumer Law Center",
          "published": "2026-10-01",
          "quote": "“Note: The new IDR paper application that allows you to enroll in the RAP plan was just released today, October 1, 2026.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1794,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1794",
      "date": "2026-10-01",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Former SAVE borrowers receive final 30-day plan-selection notices",
      "summary": "Some former SAVE borrowers received notices directing them to select a repayment plan within 30 days. The notices were sent after initial SAVE-transition windows for borrowers initially notified around July 1 had expired.",
      "type": "response",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "SAVE Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "save-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/student-loan-borrowers-save-deadline-extra-month-new-repayment-plan-2026-10",
          "outlet": "Business Insider",
          "published": "2026-10-01",
          "quote": "“If you do not take immediate action to select a repayment plan, we will place you into a repayment plan in 30 days.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://studentaid.gov/articles/save/",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-10",
          "quote": "If you don’t act within that 90-day period, your servicer will send you a final 30-day notice."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/student-loan-borrowers-timeline-transition-off-save-new-repayment-plan-2026-10",
          "outlet": "Business Insider",
          "published": "2026-10-13",
          "quote": "Now, borrowers have told Business Insider that as their deadline approached at the end of September, they received a 30-day \"final notice\" to select a new plan, which extended their deadline by one month."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1994,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1994",
      "date": "2026-10",
      "date_precision": "month",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid says SAVE forbearance does not count toward PSLF",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid told borrowers that time spent in the SAVE forbearance does not earn credit toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and that months already credited before entering it are not removed. Borrowers who reach 120 months of qualifying employment can buy back certain ineligible months, the SAVE forbearance among them.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "SAVE Plan",
        "Public Service Loan Forgiveness"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "save-plan",
        "public-service-loan-forgiveness"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://studentaid.gov/articles/save/",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-10",
          "quote": "However, you may buy back certain months you spent in an ineligible deferment or forbearance, including the SAVE forbearance, when you already have 120 months of qualifying employment."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1993,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1993",
      "date": "2026-10",
      "date_precision": "month",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid says pending SAVE applications will be denied",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid said loan servicers will deny pending SAVE Plan applications. Borrowers who do not choose another plan after the denial and final notice process will be returned to the repayment plan they held before applying for SAVE.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "SAVE Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "save-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://studentaid.gov/articles/save/",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-10",
          "quote": "Your loan servicer will deny your SAVE Plan application."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1779,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1779",
      "date": "2026-09-30",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "FSA briefing reports about 1,800 institutions above 25% nonpayment",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid's fiscal 2023 briefing put about 1,800 institutions at or above a 25 percent nonpayment rate, below the roughly 2,100 the department had reported eight days earlier from updated data.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-30/fy-2023-official-national-student-loan-cohort-default-rate-briefing",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-30",
          "quote": "“The newly released nonpayment rate data shows that approximately 1,800 institutions have nonpayment rates at or exceeding 25 percent.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-22/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-22",
          "quote": "“The newly released nonpayment rate data shows that approximately 2,100 institutions have nonpayment rates at or exceeding 25 percent, an increase of approximately 100 institutions since the May 2026 report.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1778,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1778",
      "date": "2026-09-30",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid releases FY 2023 cohort-default-rate results",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid published its official national cohort default rate briefing for fiscal 2023, with the rates attached to the announcement.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "NASFAA"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "nasfaa"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-30/fy-2023-official-national-student-loan-cohort-default-rate-briefing",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-30",
          "quote": "“The Official National Student Loan Cohort Default Rate Briefing for FY 2023 official cohort default rates (CDRs) is attached.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/todays-news",
          "outlet": "NASFAA",
          "published": "2026-10-01",
          "quote": "“The FY 2023 national rate is 0.4%, up from 0% for FY 2022, as was expected as pandemic-era borrower protections ended during the cohort’s default measurement window.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1641,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1641",
      "date": "2026-09-29",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Education Department extends auto-pay discount enrollment deadline",
      "summary": "The U.S. Department of Education extended the deadline to enroll in auto pay for the temporary 1-percentage-point interest-rate reduction to December 31, 2026. Borrowers enrolled by that date, or already enrolled, will receive the reduction through June 30, 2028.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Federal student-loan borrowers",
        "NASFAA"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "federal-student-loan-borrowers",
        "nasfaa"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-extends-enrollment-period-student-loan-interest-rate-reduction",
          "outlet": "U.S. Department of Education",
          "published": "2026-09-29",
          "quote": "“Borrowers who enroll in auto pay by December 31, 2026, or those who are already enrolled, will benefit from the interest rate reduction through June 30, 2028.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/39918/ED_Extends_Interest_Rate_Reduction_Initiative_Deadline_for_Borrowers_to_Enroll_In_Auto_Pay",
          "outlet": "NASFAA",
          "published": "2026-09-30",
          "quote": "“On Tuesday, ED announced that interested borrowers now have until December 31, 2026, to enroll in auto pay and receive this benefit.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1640,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1640",
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid distributes FY 2023 cohort-default-rate notices",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid distributed FY 2023 official cohort default rate notification packages to eligible domestic and foreign schools. Federal Student Aid said the school-specific packages were scheduled for public release on September 30, 2026, with appeals beginning October 6.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Eligible domestic and foreign schools"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "eligible-domestic-and-foreign-schools"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-29/distribution-fy-2023-official-cohort-default-rates-and-appeal-timeline",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-29",
          "quote": "“On Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, Federal Student Aid (FSA) distributed the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) official cohort default rate (CDR) notification packages to all eligible domestic and foreign schools.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1558,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1558",
      "date": "2026-09-22",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid announces Perkins servicing transfer to GCR",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid announced that servicing of federally held Perkins Loans would transition from ECSI Federal Perkins Loan Servicer to GCR Servicing. The agency said the transition would occur over the following months.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Federal Perkins Loan Program",
        "ECSI Federal Perkins Loan Servicer",
        "GCR Servicing"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "federal-perkins-loan-program",
        "ecsi-federal-perkins-loan-servicer",
        "gcr-servicing"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-22/federal-perkins-loan-servicer-change-school-transition-information",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-22",
          "quote": "We will transition the servicing of federally held Federal Perkins Loan Program loans (Perkins Loans) over the next few months from the current servicer, ECSI Federal Perkins Loan Servicer (ECSI), to GCR Servicing (GCR)."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1557,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1557",
      "date": "2026-09-22",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid defers RAP enrollment reporting to next quarter",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid said enrollment reporting for the Repayment Assistance Plan would be available in the next quarterly report. The agency said RAP was introduced in July 2026, after the quarter covered by the data cycle ended.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "NASFAA",
        "Repayment Assistance Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "nasfaa",
        "repayment-assistance-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-22/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-22",
          "quote": "Enrollment reporting in the new IDR plan—the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), which was introduced in July 2026—will be available next quarter."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/39895/New_FSA_Data_Shows_Increase_in_Institutional_Nonpayment_Rate_Borrowers_in_Default",
          "outlet": "NASFAA",
          "published": "2026-09-25",
          "quote": "FSA noted that data on enrollment in the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will be available in the next quarterly report, since the RAP was not available to borrowers until July 1, 2026, after the quarter for this data cycle ended."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1556,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1556",
      "date": "2026-09-22",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid reports 2,100 institutions above 25% nonpayment",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid reported that approximately 2,100 institutions had nonpayment rates at or above 25%. The agency said this was an increase of approximately 100 institutions from its May 2026 report.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "NASFAA"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "nasfaa"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-22/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-22",
          "quote": "The newly released nonpayment rate data shows that approximately 2,100 institutions have nonpayment rates at or exceeding 25 percent, an increase of approximately 100 institutions since the May 2026 report."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/39895/New_FSA_Data_Shows_Increase_in_Institutional_Nonpayment_Rate_Borrowers_in_Default",
          "outlet": "NASFAA",
          "published": "2026-09-25",
          "quote": "Notably, FSA’s nonpayment rate data show that roughly 2,100 institutions have nonpayment rates at or above 25%, an increase of approximately 100 institutions since FSA’s previous update."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1555,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1555",
      "date": "2026-09-22",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid reports more than 9.3 million default recipients",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid reported that the cumulative number of recipients in default increased by about 400,000 to more than 9.3 million. NASFAA separately reported the same increase from the updated Federal Student Aid data.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "NASFAA"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "nasfaa"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-09-22/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-09-22",
          "quote": "This quarter, the cumulative number of recipients in default increased by approximately 400,000 to more than 9.3 million."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/39895/New_FSA_Data_Shows_Increase_in_Institutional_Nonpayment_Rate_Borrowers_in_Default",
          "outlet": "NASFAA",
          "published": "2026-09-25",
          "quote": "The updated data also show an increase in borrowers in default, with the cumulative number rising by roughly 400,000 to more than 9.3 million."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1453,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1453",
      "date": "2026-09-21",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Colleges apply different interpretations of PLUS grandfathering",
      "summary": "Inside Higher Ed reported that colleges used different interpretations of the expected-time-to-credential exception for continuing students. Texas Christian University used completed credit hours in one Parent PLUS determination, while Loyola Marymount University said it would use years enrolled pending written Federal Student Aid guidance.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Texas Christian University",
        "Loyola Marymount University",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Parent PLUS",
        "Grad PLUS"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "texas-christian-university",
        "loyola-marymount-university",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "parent-plus",
        "grad-plus"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2026/09/21/students-and-colleges-grapple-new-loan-limits",
          "outlet": "Inside Higher Ed",
          "published": "2026-09-21",
          "quote": "But not all colleges see the department’s clarification, delivered via a webinar, as binding."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1452,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1452",
      "date": "2026-09-17",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "NASFAA advises legal review of expected-time-to-credential guidance",
      "summary": "NASFAA advised financial-aid administrators to seek legal counsel over uncertainty in Education Department guidance on the expected-time-to-credential exception. NASFAA said the August 12 webinar used completed credit hours after earlier written guidance directed schools to use time enrolled, while the Department said its clarification was not a policy change.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Grad PLUS",
        "Parent PLUS"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "national-association-of-student-financial-aid-administrators",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "grad-plus",
        "parent-plus"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/39831/_Expected_Time_to_Credential_Q_A",
          "outlet": "National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators",
          "published": "2026-09-17",
          "quote": "In this uncertain environment, NASFAA advises that financial aid administrators consult with legal counsel to assess risk and determine the best course of action."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2026/09/21/students-and-colleges-grapple-new-loan-limits",
          "outlet": "Inside Higher Ed",
          "published": "2026-09-21",
          "quote": "ED has said the clarification didn’t represent a change in policy."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1451,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1451",
      "date": "2026-08-12",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid uses credit hours for Grad PLUS grandfathering",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid instructed schools to calculate continuing borrowers’ expected time to credential using completed credit hours rather than time enrolled. The calculation determines how long grandfathered borrowers may retain access to Grad PLUS after new borrowing closed on July 1, 2026.",
      "type": "response",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Grad PLUS"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "grad-plus"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/86922/ed-changes-grad-plus-rule-credit-hours/",
          "outlet": "The College Investor",
          "published": "2026-09-20",
          "quote": "ED now counts credit hours, not time, for Grad PLUS uncapped grandfathering."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://seam.jhu.edu/financial-aid/one-big-beautiful-bill-act/legacy-borrowers/",
          "outlet": "Johns Hopkins University Student Enrollment and Account Management",
          "published": "2026-09-03",
          "quote": "Based on current guidance (August 12, 2026) from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), we calculate expected time to credential (ETTC) based upon the number of credits required to complete your current program of study, the number of credits you completed for your program as of June 30, 2026, and the University’s definition of full-time enrollment for an academic year."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/Loan%20Limits%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20May%2020.%202026%205%20p.m_.pdf",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-05-20",
          "quote": "To calculate a student’s expected time to credential, determine the difference between the program length in weeks, months, or years (as defined by the institution) and the period of such program of study that such individual has completed prior to July 1, 2026."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 536,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n536",
      "date": "2026-07-13",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "GAO finds gaps in Education's servicer-change instructions",
      "summary": "The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that servicers faced implementation challenges because Education did not consistently provide clear advance instructions for program changes. GAO recommended criteria for early coordination with servicers, and the U.S. Department of Education disagreed with that recommendation.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Government Accountability Office",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-government-accountability-office",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107780",
          "outlet": "U.S. Government Accountability Office",
          "published": "2026-07-13",
          "quote": "“We found servicers faced challenges implementing program changes due to a lack of clear upfront instruction from Education.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 1272,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n1272",
      "date": "2026-07-01",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Education Department begins sending SAVE transition notices",
      "summary": "The U.S. Department of Education began sending 90-day notices to SAVE borrowers on July 1, 2026. The notices were sent in waves, and the earliest required move to a new plan was September 29, 2026.",
      "type": "launch",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/84520/education-department-asks-court-to-toss-final-lawsuit-blocking-save-plan-shutdown/",
          "outlet": "The College Investor",
          "published": "2026-07",
          "quote": "The Department of Education began sending 90-day notices on July 1, 2026, and the earliest a borrower can be required to move to a new plan is September 29, 2026."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://studentloanborrowerassistance.org/confused-about-the-save-plan-ending/",
          "outlet": "Student Loan Borrower Assistance / National Consumer Law Center",
          "published": "2026-09-02",
          "quote": "These notices are being sent in waves."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 528,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n528",
      "date": "2026-07-01",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "The Repayment Assistance Plan and Tiered Standard plan go live; Grad PLUS closes to new borrowers",
      "summary": "The law's main provisions took effect. RAP sets payments at 1 to 10 percent of income minus $50 per dependent with a $10 floor, waives unpaid monthly interest for on-time payers and adds up to $50 a month toward principal, with any balance discharged after 360 payments. The Tiered Standard plan runs 10 to 25 years by balance. New graduate borrowers face the $20,500 and $50,000 annual caps, and servicers began the 90-day exit notices to SAVE enrollees. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said nearly 46,000 borrowers applied for RAP on day one, after a weekend-long StudentAid.gov outage.",
      "type": "launch",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Repayment Assistance Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "repayment-assistance-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/fact-sheet-trump-administration-making-higher-education-more-affordable-expanding-opportunity-and-simplifying-student-loan-repayment",
          "outlet": "U.S. Department of Education",
          "published": "2026-07-01",
          "quote": "Effective today, July 1, 2026, key provisions of President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act (the Act) take effect, simplifying student loan repayment, making higher education more affordable, and expanding access to high-quality, short-term education and workforce programs. Choose Your New Student Loan Repayment Plan Today! Starting today, federal student loan borrowers can enroll in the new Tiered Standard repayment plan or the new income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/83679/nearly-46000-borrowers-applied-for-the-new-rap-student-loan-plan-on-day-one/",
          "outlet": "The College Investor",
          "published": "2026-07-01",
          "quote": "The Department of Education's new income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) officially launched July 1, and nearly 46,000 borrowers submitted applications to enroll on day one, according to Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 534,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n534",
      "date": "2026-06-30",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Judge Joun vacates the PSLF 'substantial illegal purpose' rule hours before it takes effect",
      "summary": "Judge Myong J. Joun of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs and vacated the Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer-eligibility rule on June 30, the day before its July 1 effective date. On July 13 Federal Student Aid said it was removing the employer attestation it had just added to the PSLF form to comply with the order.",
      "type": "legal",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
        "Myong J. Joun",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "Public Service Loan Forgiveness"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-district-court-for-the-district-of-massachusetts",
        "myong-j-joun",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "public-service-loan-forgiveness"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/massachusetts/madce/1%3A2025cv13242/291142/127",
          "outlet": "U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts",
          "published": "2026-06-30",
          "quote": "“The Final Rule is VACATED.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/federal-registers/2026-07-13/comment-request-public-service-loan-forgiveness-pslf-temporary-expanded-pslf-tepslf-certification-and-application",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-07-13",
          "quote": "“The Department is now removing the attestation from the PSLF form in order to comply with the court order.”"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1%3A2025cv03860/286525/47",
          "outlet": "U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, via Justia docket filing",
          "published": "2026-06-30",
          "quote": "“The court agrees and vacates the rule.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 527,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n527",
      "date": "2026-06-24",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Judge Howell stays the narrow 'professional degree' definition a week before the loan caps bite",
      "summary": "In consolidated suits led by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Judge Beryl Howell of the D.C. district court preliminarily stayed the part of the RISE rule that had limited the $50,000-a-year professional tier to 11 degrees, writing that 'Congress could not have been clearer'. Federal Student Aid responded with an interim list of more than 20 programs, adding nursing, physician associate and speech-language pathology degrees, while saying it would keep defending its definition.",
      "type": "legal",
      "entities": [
        "Beryl Howell",
        "American Association of Nurse Practitioners",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "beryl-howell",
        "american-association-of-nurse-practitioners",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-06-29/update-list-professional-degree-programs-due-court-order-updated-july-10-2026",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid (Electronic Announcement GENERAL-26-42)",
          "published": "2026-06-29",
          "quote": "On June 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in consolidated cases Nos. 26-1780, 26-1941, preliminarily stayed part of the U.S. Department of Education’s (the Department’s) professional degree definition contained in the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Final Rule published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2026."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 532,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n532",
      "date": "2026-06-23",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid reports about nine million borrowers in default",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid released portfolio reports containing data through March 31, 2026. The reports showed approximately nine million federally managed loan recipients in default, 8.4 million recipients in forbearance, and approximately 13 million borrowers in IDR plans.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "SAVE Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "save-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-06-23/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-06-23",
          "quote": "“This update refreshes more than 70 quarterly application, disbursement, and loan portfolio reports to include data through March 31, 2026.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 547,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n547",
      "date": "2026-06-16",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Glitches and bad payment estimates hit borrowers two weeks before the July 1 switch",
      "summary": "Borrower-assistance groups told CNBC that the department's online income-driven repayment application was showing wrong plan eligibility and monthly payment estimates, servicers were sending erroneous delinquency notices to borrowers still in forbearance, and some borrowers were being told to consolidate unnecessarily, as nearly seven million SAVE enrollees prepared to change plans with an agency that had lost close to half its staff.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/16/student-loan-borrowers-glitches.html",
          "outlet": "CNBC",
          "published": "2026-06-16",
          "quote": "But student loan borrowers are encountering technical issues and misinformation in the weeks leading up to the massive changes, advocates say."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 524,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n524",
      "date": "2026-03-27",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "7.5 million SAVE borrowers told to leave: 90-day windows from July 1, then automatic Standard-plan enrollment",
      "summary": "After the court entered final judgment, the department began sending guidance to every SAVE enrollee. From July 1 servicers would issue notices giving borrowers 90 days to choose a legal plan, including the new Repayment Assistance Plan; anyone who did not act would be placed in the Standard or Tiered Standard plan, typically with higher payments than an income-driven option.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Nicholas Kent",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "SAVE Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "nicholas-kent",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "save-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-next-steps-borrowers-enrolled-unlawful-save-plan",
          "outlet": "U.S. Department of Education",
          "published": "2026-03-27",
          "quote": "Starting on July 1, federal loan servicers will begin issuing notices to borrowers, instructing them to exit the illegal SAVE Plan and enroll in a legal repayment plan within 90 days. Borrowers who do not transition plans within the 90-day period communicated by their servicer will be automatically enrolled into either the Standard Repayment Plan, or the new Tiered Standard Plan that will be available beginning July 1."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 529,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n529",
      "date": "2026-03-13",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Federal Student Aid updates portfolio reports through December 2025",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid released updated portfolio reports containing data through December 31, 2025. The reports showed 7.7 million federally held loan recipients in default, more than 6.5 million borrowers in SAVE forbearance, and nearly 12.9 million borrowers enrolled in IDR plans.",
      "type": "report",
      "entities": [
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "SAVE Plan"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "federal-student-aid",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "save-plan"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2026-03-13/federal-student-aid-posts-updated-reports-fsa-data-center",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid",
          "published": "2026-03-13",
          "quote": "“This update refreshes more than 70 quarterly application, disbursement, and loan portfolio reports to include data through Dec. 31, 2025.”"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 510,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n510",
      "date": "2025-07-04",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "The One Big Beautiful Bill Act rewrites federal student lending: RAP, loan caps, Grad PLUS ends",
      "summary": "President Trump signed the reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21, later rebranded by the administration as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act). For student loans it created the Repayment Assistance Plan and a Tiered Standard plan, ended Grad PLUS for new borrowers and capped graduate ($20,500 a year, $100,000 total), professional ($50,000, $200,000) and Parent PLUS borrowing from July 1, 2026, sunset SAVE, PAYE and ICR by July 1, 2028, and allowed a second loan rehabilitation. Some provisions, such as dropping IBR's partial-financial-hardship test, took effect immediately.",
      "type": "regulatory",
      "entities": [
        "Donald Trump",
        "U.S. Congress",
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "donald-trump",
        "us-congress",
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/dear-colleague-letters/2025-07-18/federal-student-loan-program-provisions-effective-upon-enactment-under-one-big-beautiful-bill-act",
          "outlet": "Federal Student Aid (Dear Colleague Letter GEN-25-04)",
          "published": "2025-07-18",
          "quote": "On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) (OBBB) into law. The OBBB contains numerous provisions that amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and impact the administration of Title IV, HEA programs. Many of the changes under the OBBB will be implemented on July 1, 2026 and over the subsequent years."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 508,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n508",
      "date": "2025-04-21",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Collections on defaulted loans to restart May 5 for the first time since March 2020",
      "summary": "Secretary Linda McMahon announced that Federal Student Aid would resume collecting on the defaulted portfolio on May 5, 2025, through the Treasury Offset Program and later wage garnishment. The department said 42.7 million borrowers owed more than $1.6 trillion, more than five million were in default, four million more were in late-stage delinquency, and only 38 percent of borrowers were current on their loans.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Linda McMahon",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "U.S. Department of the Treasury"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "linda-mcmahon",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "us-department-of-the-treasury"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-begin-federal-student-loan-collections-other-actions-help-borrowers-get-back-repayment",
          "outlet": "U.S. Department of Education",
          "published": "2025-04-21",
          "quote": "The U.S. Department of Education today announced its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections of its defaulted federal student loan portfolio on Monday, May 5th. The Department has not collected on defaulted loans since March 2020."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "timeline": "student-loan-repayment-overhaul",
      "id": 507,
      "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/student-loan-repayment-overhaul#n507",
      "date": "2025-03-26",
      "date_precision": "day",
      "title": "Revised IDR application reopens with IBR, PAYE and ICR, but not SAVE",
      "summary": "Federal Student Aid put a rewritten income-driven repayment and consolidation application back online about five weeks after taking it down to comply with the Eighth Circuit injunction. Borrowers could again apply for Income-Based Repayment, Pay As You Earn and Income-Contingent Repayment, while SAVE stayed closed and the backlog of pending applications, then near two million, kept growing.",
      "type": "announcement",
      "entities": [
        "U.S. Department of Education",
        "Federal Student Aid",
        "James Bergeron"
      ],
      "parties": [
        "us-department-of-education",
        "federal-student-aid",
        "james-bergeron"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-revised-income-driven-repayment-plan-and-loan-consolidation-applications-borrowers",
          "outlet": "U.S. Department of Education",
          "published": "2025-03-26",
          "quote": "Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) reopened the online income-driven repayment (IDR) plan and loan consolidation applications for borrowers. The application was temporarily paused to comply with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals injunction issued last month, which directed the Department to cease implementation of the Biden Administration’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and parts of other IDR plans."
        }
      ]
    }
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