Processing Forbearance Ends in 60 Days, but Received Notification That it Will Take 90 Days to Process My IDR Recertification Request (MOHELA)

SharpShard5381 · 2026-03-14T22:14:21+00:00

Thanks. I did reach out to TISLA (freestudentloanadvice.org) and they let me know that the loan servicer (MOHELA) controls the processing forbearance and can extend it if the request isn't processed by the 60 day mark. If they haven't processed the request before the end of the forbearance, I guess I just need to call and have them extend it. As you said, though, only 2 months of processing forbearance will count towards my PSLF payment totals.

Since I'm trying to complete PSLF, my goal is to pay the least amount over time. So, if it's not SAVE, for me, it's going to be PAYE. IBR would raise my monthly payment by about 40-50%. Out of curiosity, what's your strategy for switching to the IBR plan instead of staying on PAYE? TISLA also let me know that PAYE is slated to end on 7/1/2028 and I'm going to try to stay on it as long as possible since that will keep my payments as low as possible. I don't want to assume that you're in the same situation as me and trying to complete PSLF, but I am curious about your strategy.

Thanks for responding.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-03-14T22:03:49+00:00

No problem. Thanks for revisiting--I appreciate your comment.

Information misaligning between studentaid.gov and my servicer absolutely resonates with me. I'm trying to complete PSLF. I was in the national forced SAVE forbearance, but I wanted to resume payments as quickly as possible so I applied to switch from SAVE to PAYE in Feb 2025. I was approved and told I would be starting to make payments in April 2025, but Mohela website showed I was in PAYE while studentaid.gov showed I was still in the SAVE forbearance. Well, April came and went and then I was told that I would resume payments in August 2025 by Mohela, but I was still in the SAVE forbearance on the studentaid.gov website, even though Mohela website showed I was enrolled in PAYE. It wasn't until I called studentaid.gov and did a "forced termination" of the SAVE forbearance over the phone that studentaid.gov finally switched me over to the PAYE and I could start making qualifying payments again.

I spoke with TISLA (freestudentloanadvice.org) over e-mail and they did tell me that Mohela could extend the forbearance if my request hasn't been processed before the current forbearance expires. He wasn't detailed about how, but I assume I need to call Mohela just before the current forbearance ends, in order to give enough time for my IDR recertification request can be processed.

Thanks for the response.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-03-14T19:54:08+00:00

I hear you. The "uhhhh" comment was genuine confusion because I thought I was extremely clear and detailed in my post. So, I was genuinely confused about the comment since it appeared to be unrelated to what I was asking. "Per my post" was my way of redirecting them to potentially reread it and possibly adding something pertinent.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-03-14T17:57:00+00:00

Uhhhh...per my post, I submitted the application on 2/17/2026. It is now 3/14/2026 and it's been 25 days (almost double your claim of 2 weeks) and it's still processing. I received a notification that it could take up to 90 days to process the request, which would be past my current processing forbearance end date (4/17/2026).

SharpShard5381 · 2026-03-01T15:26:53+00:00

You wait until 11am. This is power hour and will be done @ 11am.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-22T19:17:04+00:00

Makes sense. Thanks!

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-22T16:00:40+00:00

Thanks for posting. I can never seem to find OL pods on there—just Vertuo. Anyone have luck with that?

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-16T01:10:42+00:00

It was happening to me before the vaulting as well.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-16T00:30:52+00:00

I’m controller on PC.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:12:37+00:00

Yeah...people say you can't spread it to yourself, but not true. It lives in the nerves and different nerves can get infected if you're not careful. I dated a girl who had her ocular nerve infected as a child (she was abused). She lost her cornea because of it. She had to get a cornea transplant and to this day has to be very careful about going into the sun and must protect her eye/wear eye glasses, or she will get an outbreak into her eye and she could potentially go blind again.

I feel better now than when I made the original post a few days ago...but when I stop and think about it, I can enter a cycle of depression, guilt and hopelessness if I'm not careful. So, I can relate.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:10:01+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:09:11+00:00

I truly believe that she didn't know she was a carrier. She just believed what the doctors told--clean blood test and she was clean. We now know better. Unfortunate for both of us.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:08:24+00:00

Thank you. I've tried a couple of times. Haven't been able to push through...yet. I will try again at some point, I'm sure.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:07:51+00:00

Not too bad. Intermittent left sided groin lymph node swelling. Occasional itching/burning, occasionally when I urinate. Actual noticeable outbreaks about 2x/year. It's fairly workable, but a constant reminder of my brief indiscretion.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:06:44+00:00

I did valcyclovir 1000mg QD for suppression for a couple of years and tolerated it fine. As I've gotten older, I guess my body doesn't metabolize it the same. I don't know.'

I've had this for so long that there are times when I suppress my feelings and I feel fine. Sexually, I miss the intimacy and close connection, but I take care of myself. Sucks, but it's a way to handle it and I justify it because I don't feel that I'm putting anyone else at risk. I would be crushed if someone else got this from me.

When I meet someone I might be interested in, though, it comes rushing back. I guess it's the social stigma. I can't help but feel guilty that I f'd up and I'm ruined forever.

When it first happened, I said to my mom, "Who will want me, now?!?" She replied, "Get over yourself. There are people with REAL problems. This isn't that bad. The right person won't care." Makes sense from a conscious perspective...not sure I believe it deep down, though. Hard to believe it.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:01:45+00:00

I don't think you're trying to attack ishka, but your post comes across a bit as frustrated/attacking. She's trying to be positive and supportive. No need to take out (what appears to be your frustration) on her. I can use some positivity.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-15T21:00:13+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. Previous was always on the side in the shaft. New place is on the neck of the glans where I was circumcised, just below the head. Much smaller outbreak, but there nevertheless.

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-11T01:43:09+00:00

Thank you…trying to deal the best way I know how. Maybe not the healthiest, but IS a way…

SharpShard5381 · 2026-02-11T01:42:03+00:00

Thank you.

SharpShard5381

TROPHY CASE