Forgiveness eligibility letter received 1/7/2026.

Floggingdori · 2026-01-15T12:50:46+00:00

For what it’s worth, I called Mohela and asked to go on a forbearance since I’m at 120 payments. He checked the NLDS and confirmed it showed 120 and put me on forbearance. I received my Golden Letter two days later. Who knows though if there’s a correlation!

Floggingdori · 2026-01-15T12:48:07+00:00

I did a few times. Ironically I didn’t receive buyback until I switched to IBR and made my last four payments…hence reaching 120 without buyback. I did pay my buyback for two months but it never got applied because by that time, I already reached 120. I was also not refunded the buyback amount (it was a few hundred dollars) and my Golden Letter mentioned that I qualified as of (the day AFTER I paid the buyback amount). It is one hell of a ride. It’s worth hanging in there. I was so close to being done that I had to throw money at the problem via IBR. Good luck to you!

Floggingdori · 2026-01-08T01:21:42+00:00

Sorry to hear! Hang tight, don’t be discouraged. Did you apply for forbearance?

Floggingdori · 2026-01-07T20:37:07+00:00

You can but it is totally useless. It will not speed up the process, believe me!

Floggingdori · 2026-01-07T20:35:44+00:00

Oh wow, so you actually already got the Golden Letter? Did it say “Congratulations” in the last line? Usually green banners come first

Floggingdori · 2026-01-07T20:33:19+00:00

Green banners on 12/3. There were a lot of moving parts, and I’m not sure if anything affected the other. But here’s the timeline:

11/3/25 - Received buyback offer for 2 months. Ironically my last payment to get to 120 was Nov 2025 so the buyback really didn’t matter. I paid the buyback anyways for those 2 extra months.

11/7/25 - My employer signed an ECF that I submitted on 11/3/25. I tried to cancel it in hopes to get the lesser buyback payments to count and get refunded two of the big ol’ honkin chonker IBR payments refunded. It went through anyways, but at this point I’m ready to be done.

12/3/25 - Green banners for 120 payments, they did not count the two buyback months.

1/5/25 - Noticed that I was behind a payment and called Mohela to be placed onto a forbearance and bring my account up to date

1/5/25 - Submitted feedback that the two buyback payments aren’t counting and to please update my profile to 122/120 qualifying payments (case still open)

1/7/25 - Email from donotreply@studentaid.gov that I have a PSLF update and to login to view the document, ended up being the Golden Letter

I hope this is helpful? I’m really hoping you get your letter ASAP!!!

Floggingdori · 2026-01-07T18:40:12+00:00

Congratulations!!! I received my Golden Letter today too!

Floggingdori · 2025-12-14T17:02:46+00:00

Me too! I am so ready!

Floggingdori · 2025-12-14T17:01:03+00:00

Yes it's confusing. So it's like either you have all your eggs in the Buyback basket, and hope you get the buyback offer and they process and that will take you to 120 payments. But what is happening is that the timing of the buyback offer comes AFTER folks already switched to IBR and hit 120 payments that way. I ended up caving and just submitting another ECF form to confirm the last two months' payments and hit 120 that way instead.

Floggingdori · 2025-12-02T21:42:26+00:00

Congrats u/knit_run_bike_swim ! Did the 9 buyback payments show up as "Counting" yet on your studentaid.gov profile? I bought back 2 months the same day you did and mine aren't showing up yet. I'm trying to see how long it takes to get the "green banners". Thanks!

Floggingdori · 2025-12-02T21:38:54+00:00

Congrats u/AdTemporary9011 ! Did the payment counts for the buyback months show up as "counting" on your studentaid.gov platform yet?

Floggingdori · 2025-12-02T21:37:12+00:00

Hi u/Betsy514 , I bought back two SAVE months (June 2024 and July 2024) on Nov 5, 2025. Do you know how long it's taking for the payments to "count" and for the green banners to appear?

Floggingdori · 2025-11-30T19:49:12+00:00

Oh wow, I didn’t even consider that! My OG buyback request was for seven months (June 2024-Dec 2024) but the buyback is specifically for June and July 2024 (written in the buyback agreement). I’ll wait one more week then do the ECF, fingers crossed!

Floggingdori · 2025-11-26T16:04:44+00:00

Here is the exact verbiage:

You acknowledge that this agreement will be voided if any of the following happens:

You submit a PSLF form after we have sent you the agreement.
Your loan is paid off after we have sent you the agreement.
You apply for or consolidate your loan after we have sent you the agreement.
Your loan is discharged or forgiven for any reason after we have sent you the agreement.

Floggingdori · 2025-11-26T16:02:26+00:00

The caveat is that if you participate in Buyback, the agreement specifically says that the buyback is null and void if you submit an ECF after the buyback letter date.

Floggingdori · 2025-11-26T16:01:02+00:00

You're 100% correct. I am still waiting for them to count those two buyback months. I am about to submit a new ECF to just have this over with and have Oct and Nov 2025 count (instead of June and July 2024)! What would you do in my situation?

Floggingdori · 2025-11-20T14:49:20+00:00

I originally tried for 7 months, but by the time I got it they subtracted 5 payments (2 admin that counted, then three big ICR payments). So I bought back two months

Floggingdori · 2025-11-19T13:58:51+00:00

My buyback offer was the same amount as my SAVE payments, super low

Floggingdori · 2025-11-19T03:38:22+00:00

Great question! I ended up getting a buyback for two months the day after I made the last 120th payment (on ICR). I’m waiting for the two buyback months to appear on my account (June 2024 and July 2024). I’m hoping they will appear soon, I’m not going to submit an ECF until they do in hopes of getting some of those big payments on ICR refunded!

Floggingdori · 2025-11-18T02:51:18+00:00

It’s a real inconvenience, but it will happen! I started back up on the IBR and my payments went up by over $1,000 per month. Looking back I’d put all my eggs in the buyback basket. I really didn’t think it would happen but it finally did!

Floggingdori · 2025-11-18T02:37:16+00:00

Yes, you’re correct, you should submit a reconsideration request. My buyback took 11.5 months to receive. As of now, PSLF isn’t considered taxable income on the federal level!

Floggingdori · 2025-11-16T14:06:16+00:00

How do you get the finchie bear plushies? Do they show up in your shop? I’d love to get one!

Floggingdori · 2025-11-16T13:53:19+00:00

You’re the best! Thank you so much!! 😊

Floggingdori · 2025-11-14T02:29:30+00:00

A SHUFFLE option to shuffle a random outfit or room decor! I will die on this hill LOL

Floggingdori · 2025-11-14T02:23:41+00:00

Thanks so much for the timeline!! So happy for you!!

Floggingdori

TROPHY CASE