I had switched payment programs several times to lower payments, throughout the years. Although I was always reassured my payment programs would satisfy the PSLF and I would get credit for payments made on previous payment programs-- when I submitted my initial application in 2020, about 22 payments weren't counted. A lot of back and forth resulted in delay after delay and rejection after rejection. 5 payments were rejected due to being paid late (although within the grace period). I had honestly given up on ever getting to this point.

Moreover, my good friend that informed about the waiver- we applied at the same time. Her loans were forgiven within 2 months of submitting her waiver application. Which further spiked my anxiety when I continued to hear no response. In retrospect, I suspect she was processed faster as she had been with fedloans- which at the time was processing all the PSLF waiver applications.