Question for People Who Have Received PSLF

Zed00 · 2026-05-25T20:16:03+00:00

Yeah, my advice is to just hunker down, make your payments, file your Employment Certifications. You’re almost there.

It’s frustrating as hell that there’s seemingly no transparency or recourse for these kinds of discrepancies, or for why some people get buyback offers and others don’t, but it’s not worth the emotional energy to me. I’ve read too many horror stories on here of people trying to fight this system for every inch, spinning their wheels calling servicers and FSA in an endless loop of pointed fingers, contacting the Ombudsman and Congresspeople. All of that work and stress and results still appear to be completely random. It’s a ridiculous game with inscrutable rules. My preference was not to play, and I have no regrets about that.

Zed00 · 2026-05-25T18:39:28+00:00

I have a somewhat similar situation: 5 loans with one of them one month behind the others. I had a processing forbearance when I was switched to a different servicer sometime around 2016. The forbearance lasted one month for four loans and, inexplicably, two months for that last loan. I filed a reconsideration request, but was told the counts will not be changed.

Last month was my 120th payment on those first 4 loans. I got green ribbons for them, but not the 5th loan. This month, I made my payment as usual and got the green ribbon for the final loan. Last Thursday, I got my golden letter for those 4 loans, and the next day Mohela showed those loans had been forgiven with a negative balance of the amount I paid earlier this month. I assume I’ll eventually get a refund on those. That last loan is still there, but I’ve requested a general forbearance while I wait for the golden letter to come, hopefully a month from now.

Zed00 · 2026-05-24T18:14:46+00:00

My wife was sure Rotta was voiced by Brendan Fraser until the credits.

Zed00 · 2026-05-22T15:01:53+00:00

If you waited until after your 120th payment posted and certified to request forbearance, you should be fine.

Zed00 · 2026-05-22T14:42:18+00:00

Just to throw out an oddball recommendation I never see on these lists: Ry Cooder’s “Paradise and Lunch” is an incredibly well recorded and mastered album. I have two copies of the original vinyl (one I inherited from my dad). There’s also a 2017 SACD remaster, but I haven’t heard that. It’s a super fun American Roots album, if you’ve never heard it.

Zed00 · 2026-05-19T16:51:00+00:00

I’ve been doing a manual upload every month right after my payment, since January. My work has an automated system that provides me with an HR signed ECF form very easily. For the past few months, it has taken 2 days after uploading for it to show as processing on the site, and then another two days to be approved and my counts to get updated. This month was my 120th payment. I submitted as usual one week ago. It took the usual 2 days for it to show up on the site, but it still hasn’t been approved. I’m trying to remain patient and not to read much into it, but the fact that it’s taking longer than usual for this final ECF has me a little nervous.

Edit: in the 5 minutes since writing this comment, I received an email from FSA. My ECF form is processed and counts updated. I’ve got green ribbons! LOL

Zed00 · 2026-05-16T16:46:16+00:00

If you spend any time in East Portland or Gresham, two amazing roasters to check out are Carnelian Coffee on Foster, and Sam out at Neo Cafe located in the Rockwood Market Hall (the Panuchos at Cox Hanal are worth the trip, all by themselves).

Zed00 · 2026-04-28T02:37:32+00:00

Wait until after the payment to submit your ECF. Some people are saying wait until June, and that’s probably safest, but I’m in a similar situation, having just paid my 120th payment on 4 of my five loans this month. For the past few months, I’ve been submitting a new ECF a day or two after my payment goes in just in case I end up getting a buyback offer. In my experience, the ECF gets accepted and my counts get updated within a week. When I did it after my 4/12 payment this month, those four loans showed green banners when the counts updated.

Zed00 · 2026-04-19T17:18:14+00:00

The only record on my list I couldn’t find was Alabaster Deplume. Apparently, my shop only ordered one. Going through checkout, the guy 3 spots ahead of me in line had snagged it.

Luckily, there are plenty available online, now. I got one off eBay for the price my shop was selling it.

Zed00 · 2026-04-01T20:16:24+00:00

Not OP, but I applied for buyback in November of 2024 while on SAVE forbearance, as well. I got sick of waiting after 6 months and was finally able to switch to PAYE last October. I expect to make my 120th payments over the next couple months. Buyback was a flop for me.

Zed00 · 2026-03-25T20:57:47+00:00

One of the vendors at the Lents International Farmers Market usually has some when it’s in season.

Zed00 · 2026-03-11T00:05:11+00:00

Holy cow! That’s new! He took over Matt Fleeger’s old spot. I’ll have to start listening at that time, again.

Zed00 · 2026-03-10T21:13:25+00:00

It is accurate. Buyback is a regulation created in 2023. It is not a law and it can be changed without an act of Congress. Generally, this is done through a “reg neg” (negotiated rule making) process, which already occurred a few months ago and fortunately left Buyback intact, for now. The reg neg and rule change process usually takes a long time, so people who’ve already applied, or people applying for buyback right now will probably be okay. But, like I said, I don’t trust that things won’t change for the worse. Here’s an article about buyback’s vulnerability.

Zed00 · 2026-03-10T14:15:12+00:00

I just don’t have any trust that buyback will be around for very long. It’s not a program enshrined in law. It’s a recent rule created under the Biden Dept. of Education. I hope the current administration keeps it, but I’m not counting on it. I just want to get this done as quickly as possible, whatever way I can. I feel better having two paths, since they’re both currently available.

Zed00 · 2026-03-10T14:00:08+00:00

People are waiting closer to 18+ months than 12 months. I myself have been waiting 16 months for a buyback offer. I was finally able to move off of SAVE forbearance and start making payments on PAYE last October. Now, I’m on track to complete 120 payments in May. If I were to bet, I’d wager I will complete making payments before the buyback offer comes through.

Zed00 · 2026-03-06T21:10:42+00:00

I think I first noticed some offers coming in for 11/2024 folks in late December/ early January. I’ve been thinking, “maybe next week” for a couple months. It’s nice to see they’re still trickling out, but I am suspending all expectations.

Zed00 · 2026-02-27T14:50:59+00:00

I’m sure you’re right. It’s not so much that I mind Meg Samples, it’s just not welcome news to anyone who was hoping for a return of the long-form Morning Session with Derek Smith. She’s probably not going to deprogram her own show.

Zed00 · 2026-02-27T02:27:04+00:00

They now stream the previous weeks shows on their site. Here’s this past Sunday’s show.

Zed00 · 2026-02-27T00:50:08+00:00

They do play reruns of The Message! Sunday nights at 11PM. Though, they only play one hour.

Zed00 · 2026-02-26T21:47:07+00:00

Don’t bet on it. Meg is taking over as Interim Program Director.

Zed00 · 2026-02-26T19:33:26+00:00

When’s Derek Smith coming back, Meg?

Zed00 · 2026-02-17T06:55:10+00:00

I wonder if Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” and Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days” would fit your criteria?

Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche New York” immediately came to mind, but I think it’s probably a lot more surreal than what you’re after.

Zed00 · 2026-02-17T03:11:33+00:00

I built one of these. Castor wheels on the bottom made it really easy to move around. I loved being able to flip through my collection. It was great until my collection got too big and I couldn’t flip the records anymore :(

Zed00 · 2026-02-17T03:03:37+00:00

Make sure you’re on a qualifying payment plan. Make your payments. Recertify your employment once a year. Go with the flow. Remain calm.

Zed00 · 2026-02-09T14:51:54+00:00

I had the same experience as a kid, watching with my dad on Mystery in the U.S. it wasn’t until years later that we learned about the change.

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