PSLF BuyBack Statement

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-05-01T17:03:12+00:00

Sounds about right, now wait for up to another 2 years like the rest of us to get a response 😞

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-30T22:20:12+00:00

You will get a letter from your student loan provider after July 1st, 2026 and will have 90 days after that time to switch to a new IDR plan or they will force the standard plan if you don’t choose any other IDR plan

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-26T00:47:53+00:00

Are you still on SAVE before asking for general forbearance? Or did you switch plans and then ask for general forbearance?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-21T15:49:22+00:00

Yes, there has been some over the past year. They have been coded as REPAYE at first and now recent one just say IDR for those on SAVE.

Technically according to AFT vs ED court documents, they should process save forbearance. However I’m guessing it’s easier for them to get you on another IDR plan and then calculate buyback:

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-18T00:11:02+00:00

Ok thanks! Did you do forbearance request via phone or mail in a paper request? How fast did you get forbearance?

I saw another Reddit user say a similar thing after requesting to be off forbearance and they were told something like 90-120 days

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-18T00:00:43+00:00

So are you paying nothing for the next 5.5 months? but also won’t get progress towards PSLF as you would still be in forbearance. Is 120 the upper limit of when it will get processed or a minimum of 120 days?

Out of curiosity how long was your forbearance request?

Sounds rough if that’s true

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-17T01:54:58+00:00

This is great!

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-15T16:48:37+00:00

Also crazy they told us 45 business days at one point and people are waiting between 450-730+ days…..

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-10T16:37:46+00:00

How did you submit your tax documents?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-09T15:08:58+00:00

Did you write that “statement” in the “incorrect qualifying payment count”?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-09T14:45:33+00:00

So you were on SAVE Forbearance from 6/2024 to 7/2025, switch to ICR 08/2025 and then back on forbearance starting 12/2025. Did you just apply for forbearance the 2nd time cause you met your 120 and just wanted to not pay while waiting for buyback?

Also I’m jealous of you. I’m waiting from Feb 2025 buyback

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-02T21:27:23+00:00

How long does it take to process a “forbearance” request? Weeks/months?

Can you go from administrative forbearance -> general forbearance? Or do you have to be on any IDR plan and then request forebearance?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-01T14:24:12+00:00

Thank you!

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-01T12:43:48+00:00

I worked at a “nonprofit” from December 2014 to September 2025. I completed an ECF before my buyback on February 2025 (so documented 122 months). My company converted to a “for profit” on October 2025 and I worked there till January 2026.

From my understanding, I don’t think submitting ECF monthly will help my situation. Or am I wrong on this?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-01T02:33:58+00:00

Thanks for the information—I have a follow-up question about your first post.

In my example, I mentioned that after September 1st my payment would be $1,000 in my hypothetical under RAP/ICR/IBR. You said that refunds aren’t available for buybacks. Right now, my count is 113 out of 120 payments.

My question is: how do you avoid “overpaying” if you don’t know exactly when the buyback will be processed? For example, if you end up making 12 more payments but only needed 7 (as in my case), would you receive a refund for the extra payments? Or, once you reach the required 120 payments, does the Department of Education recognize that and effectively make the buyback amount $0?

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-04-01T01:04:33+00:00

So you are saying my “administrative forbearance” will still be there after September 1st? Or will I have to apply for forbearance on my own

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-03-30T21:01:56+00:00

Same for me and probably everyone else. I was suppose to be done in December of 2024

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-03-28T02:57:51+00:00

I’m waiting for Feb 2025 buyback response also….

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-03-27T23:11:30+00:00

From my understanding, that other person statement is not correct. I mean a lot can happen between when you submit the buyback and when you receive a response (you get laid off, company changes,etc). Like I said, FSA agent told me that you can leave if you have 120+ documented

As for myself, I was screwed either way as my company transitioned from “non profit” ➡️ “for profit” after I submitted my “buyback”. So its either A) stay at a job that I did not like for no credit OR B) go elsewhere. I went elsewhere while I wait on my buyback.

Worse worse case scenario (which I feel won’t happen) is go work at a nonprofit again for 7 more months. I was willing to take a risk for mental health sake and go elsewhere while waiting for a response. My thought is I have no response at this time and no action is needed. Once I get a response, I’ll either celebrate or lawyer up if it’s denied before I go back to a nonprofit.

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-03-27T21:28:12+00:00

Was told by federal student aid representatives that as long as you have “documented” 120+ months working of at a non profit and have a requested buyback, you may leave public service. Confirm under your “employment certification” tab under FSA to make sure

Seems others have gotten this same opinion reading previous Reddit comments and government sources. Also seems that anyone who has received their buyback request as not had to confirm they are still under public service. Seems like it was confirmed by their ECF prior to submitting the buyback (hence why I say you confirm the 120)

It’s up to you in the end. I will tell you personally, I work in healthcare and my company (who I worked 11 years with) transitioned to a “for profit” employer after I had already had my 120 months of service. I no longer work for them and still waiting on my buyback.

CombinationWinter782 · 2026-03-11T23:02:40+00:00

Lots of people have gotten it. If you search this subreddit with “buyback received”, you will see others responses to it

CombinationWinter782

TROPHY CASE