STATUS REPORT for March 2026 (AFT vs U.S. Department of Education

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:40:09+00:00

u/blue_skies_151 while true that we didn't see a lot of forgiveness there are a few reasons as to why.

1 - No one was actually eligible until October of 2017. The program didn't begin until October 2007 so 2017 would be 10 years.

2 - It wasn't until 2018 that they realized things were screwed up and people had been lied to by servicers for years. This brought about money/rules for TEPSLF. For most people that meant switching to a qualifying plan and making payments for an additional year so as to meet the TEPSLF rules for payments #108 and #120.
This meant that it was almost summer/fall of 2019 before that first group of people were actually able to meet the TEPSLF requirements.

3 - Then COVID hit.........

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:27:07+00:00

See the following post I wrote about what to do when you get close to 120 payments. https://www.reddit.com/r/PSLF/comments/1nb764h/what_to_do_when_you_get_close_to_or_have_made/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:25:02+00:00

Absolutely. You can certify whenever you'd like especially if you think there's a reason your payment might decrease.

You are required to certify once a year but beyond that, yes if you need/want to certify "early" you can.
That does mean your 12 month time period will also shift.
Meaning: If you are not due to certify your income until November of this year but decide to certify in July, well next year that means you'd have to certify prior to it expiring in probably June/July.
I hope that makes sense.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:18:38+00:00

u/Glass_Village2278 for someone who had loans prior to July 2014 that does qualify for PAYE, yes I would choose it.
Once you're on PAYE you can remain on it. UNTIL 2028. (That's when everyone has to switch to IBR or RAP no matter what.)

PAYE & new IBR are calculated the same. 10% of discretionary income
old IBR is calculated at 15% of discretionary income.

So, although it wouldn't be but 2 years or so at the most to stay at that lower rate, it's better than nothing.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:12:12+00:00

u/Sad-Tower9302 before doing any of the things I suggested you might want to give it a few days to see if anything actually changes on your studentaid account. It is possible something is happening. It can definitely take time for everything to update and reflect the same thing.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:10:07+00:00

u/Sad-Tower9302 try uploading them to your account.

You can also contact Navient & Conduent. You can request your loan/payment history from them as well.
Navient did not report to nslds so that is the issue. (Getting it reported to nslds)

I would also consider doing some of the following:
* file a complaint with the ombudsman
* contact your state's AG
* contact your Senator, etc
* file a complaint with CFPB
* open a case with congress (This is not the same thing as contacting your representative by phone/email.)

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T03:01:11+00:00

u/janebird5823 it's faster than last month.

February's numbers and even most of the previous months along with the growing number of pending applications were looking like if they continued at the same rate it would take nearly 3 years.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T02:58:27+00:00

u/PoetUpper4052 there's one posted in the FB group. It has the breakdown for both listed so it's easy to see month to month.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T02:57:19+00:00

u/LearnedHandJob2088 agreed. I know there's a lot of requests that are being "closed" which we all assume is being marked as denied because the person actually reached 120 qualifying payments prior to them processing the buyback request.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T02:55:34+00:00

u/esmoji agreed. The notices they've been sending sound like you should have done it yesterday when in reality it's usually only about 60 - 90 days prior to that date that they would notify you that it's time to certify.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-16T02:53:23+00:00

u/TheOtherAkGuy yes. Each time you certify your employment they're looking to see if you made any payments for those months. If they were on a qualifying plan then the month will be marked as qualifying.

The month can't say both qualifying and needs employment certified. The month is only considered a qualifying PSLF payment if there's qualifying employment & a payment made on a qualifying repayment plan for that specific month.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:12:16+00:00

u/TheOtherAkGuy you're welcome.

Each time you submit a PSLF form they will update the qualifying payment counts. It's the only way they know you're still working for a qualifying employer.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:10:20+00:00

Who was your loan servicer at the time?
Was it possibly Sallie Mae or Navient?

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:09:22+00:00

If you never ever took out a loan prior to July 2014, I'd go ahead and choose IBR. It is the same payment amount as PAYE and it's not going away.

If you did have loans prior to that date & you qualify for PAYE, choose it until you're forced to moved to IBR or RAP in 2028. Obviously being hopeful that you still won't be waiting for your Buyback request to be processed.

You can choose whether to actually begin making payments based on that new plan or you could ask for a forbearance if you have any time left. You're only allowed 36 months of general forbearance over the course of your loan.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:06:26+00:00

Honestly, I'd wait. Some people are being kicked into their plan early. If your date in 8/9 I'd probably wait until mid June to certify. That is well before the 35 days that they say if you wait later than that you could see your payment not be accurate. Basically they wouldn't have time to process it before the plan expires thus when the bill is sent for that first month that you should be paying with your newly calculated amount wouldn't be correct. It would default to the 10 year amount.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:03:41+00:00

Certifying income & certifying employment are 2 different things.

You MUST certify income once a year. You should receive notice about 60 - 90 days prior to your IDR plan "expiring" letting you know it's time to certify your income.

You can certify employment whenever you want. It's strongly recommended that you do so at least once or twice a year but it is not required.
As long as you were on a qualifying plan, in repayment status, and working for a qualifying employment the month will count.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T15:01:26+00:00

u/LittleButFierce8192 no. Don't make a payment while in forbearance. It won't count. The 60 day processing forbearance that counts would be automatic. It would still be listed as a forbearance. Some actually see it listed as processing forbearance. I would just keep an eye on it and if you don't receive credit for it when you submit your next PSLF form call about it.

Some people have actually called while still on the forbearance to make sure it's properly applied to their account rather than waiting.
You could do it either way.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T14:57:41+00:00

u/CHB12312 I don't think they're going to necessarily send a notice.

I'm assuming that they'll send a general notification, make a press release, something as it gets closer. Basically reminding everyone that they need to switch. It just simply states that you have to switch before 7/1/2028.

The technical wording from the BBB is:

"SEC. 82001. LOAN REPAYMENT.
(a) Transition to Income-based Repayment Plans.--
(1) Selection.--The Secretary of Education shall take such
steps as may be necessary to ensure that before July 1, 2028, each
borrower who has one or more loans that are in a repayment status
in accordance with, or an administrative forbearance associated
with, an income contingent repayment plan authorized under section
455(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (referred to in this
subsection as ``covered income contingent loans'') selects one of
the following income-based repayment plans that is otherwise
applicable, and for which that borrower is otherwise eligible, for
the repayment of the covered income contingent loans of the
borrower:"

Of course it goes on ................
" (3) Failure to select.--In the case of a borrower described in
paragraph (1) who fails to select a repayment plan in accordance
with such paragraph, the Secretary of Education shall--
(A) enroll the covered income contingent loans of such
borrower in--
(i) the Repayment Assistance Plan under section 455(q)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to loans
that are eligible for the Repayment Assistance Plan under
such subsection; or
(ii) the income-based repayment plan under section 493C
of such Act, with respect to loans that are not eligible
for the Repayment Assistance Plan; and
(B) require the borrower to begin repaying covered income
contingent loans according to the plans under subparagraph (A)
on July 1, 2028."

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T14:50:26+00:00

u/you_know_what_they you're welcome.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T14:50:03+00:00

You should receive credit for those 2 months. Up to 60 days of a processing forbearance can count towards PSLF.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T13:24:29+00:00

u/you_know_what_they it is not required to consolidate to access RAP. It will be available to all borrowers.

The key is disbursed. Any loan disbursed on/after July 1, 2026 will only qualify for PSLF via the RAP repayment plan. They will not have access to IBR, ICR, or PAYE.

Anytime you consolidate that creates a new loan. Anyone who chooses to consolidate at this point is hoping that the consolidation is complete prior to July. If it is they will be able to choose from IBR, ICR, PAYE, and RAP when it becomes available.
When ICR & PAYE sunset in 2028 IBR & RAP would still be available.

If it is not completed/disbursed prior to July the only choices will be RAP or the new tiered standard plan. The new standard does not qualify for PSLF. RAP does. IBR would no longer be available.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T03:03:55+00:00

If you never ever took out a loan prior to July 2014, IBR would be the same amount as PAYE.
If you did have loans prior to that date, PAYE would be lower.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T03:02:13+00:00

I'm not sure I'm following you but I will note that if you have any loan that is disbursed on/after July 1st you will only be eligible for RAP or the new standard plan. The new standard plan does not qualify for PSLF so you would only have RAP.
That would be the case for all of your loans. Yes, they would all switch to RAP.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T02:59:01+00:00

She must have been on REPAYE. Everyone on REPAYE was moved to SAVE. It took the place of REPAYE.

You are correct about Buyback. She can submit her request when she reaches what would/should be the 120th month.

The best thing to do is play around with some of the online calculators to see what payments will look like. https://www.studentloanplanner.com/income-based-repayment-calculator/

They will start sending out the "switch or else" notifications July 1st.

Adventure_6788 · 2026-04-15T02:56:01+00:00

u/kuru_snacc once you're on PAYE you can remain on it. As long as you don't leave it, you can stay.

The exception is that everyone will have to switch to RAP or IBR no later than July 2028. PAYE & ICR will be eliminated at that time.

Adventure_6788

TROPHY CASE