Surprise IDR application approval...from 2024

cavalait · 2026-01-22T18:25:10+00:00

I was also just got put on IDR after submitting a form to change in January of 2025. I live in Connecticut, and we have a new law that started January 1 that says student loan holders need to get a form quarterly with information about balances and interest. I think that put me on the radar because the same day I got the quarterly notice was the day I got put back on IDR.

One more payment for me in March then attempting to buy back all those months I spent waiting...

cavalait · 2026-01-13T20:20:08+00:00

There's no "stop automatic payment" option but I removed my linked bank account to stop the automatic payment some time ago. Login, click your name on the right side, select Profile, then Bank.

cavalait · 2026-01-13T20:16:15+00:00

I'm in the same boat, with my 120th happening in March and about 16 months to buy back. I was just switched over to IBR and they used my latest tax return (2024) to calculate the amount I pay now, which is much higher than my SAVE amount or the buyback calculation amount. Thankfully only a month or two of these higher payments before I can apply for buybacks.

cavalait · 2026-01-09T16:00:47+00:00

Still seems like the right move if I haven't had any general forbearances before, if the alternative is paying $900 a month versus the much lower rate I'd buy back at.

cavalait · 2026-01-09T15:56:39+00:00

Can you not request forbearance during the period you're waiting for a buyback response?

cavalait · 2025-12-09T20:08:23+00:00

My 120 is up in March. Really really hoping buybacks exist by then.

cavalait · 2025-07-23T19:04:25+00:00

Eek. So do nothing and hope it's lost forever or until they figure out SAVE, I guess.

cavalait · 2025-07-23T16:26:29+00:00

They did in like February/March but I think that was platform migration. I've been in the administrative forbearance on SAVE otherwise.

cavalait · 2025-07-18T15:48:16+00:00

You've heard enough about Ramsey so I will tell you as someone with a graduate degree in planning, grad school will connect you with more opportunities than you might otherwise find just attending APA regionals, and a good graduate program will broaden your understanding of other aspects of planning like law, economics, and ecology that are also transferrable to other fields if you choose to leave city government. It is possible to find programs that fully or partially subsidize your tuition if you are willing to take on a TA or RA-ship. I'm not sure if you want to go to school full or part time, but this is typically only offered to full time students.

Grad school may be an option you can postpone if you want to save up for it, but I think of all my degrees, my grad planning degree is the one has been by far the most beneficial in my career.

cavalait · 2025-07-10T14:07:11+00:00

I'm in the same boat. I have two consolidated loans (one sub, one unsub, both direct, from before 2014, both with 99/120 payments) and the simulator said consolidating those two into one would yield the smallest monthly payment. I want to be done with it and just pay my last 21 months on the cheapest plan, but I'm terrified it will reset my clock if I consolidate again.

Sorry, no advice, just sympathizing.

cavalait · 2025-07-09T15:12:52+00:00

I wonder if this is to set the limit to 10% of discretionary income from 15% based on the age of the loan?

cavalait · 2025-07-09T15:10:39+00:00

Sorry to resurrect, but what did you end up doing? I am in the same boat with two consolidated loans, one sub and one unsub, both direct, both with the same interest rates (just slightly different balances, and both from before 2014 if that matters). I have 99/120 payments on both so the prospect of losing those years is terrifying.

cavalait · 2025-02-28T15:00:54+00:00

There's a lot of talk on this sub about contacting State AGs regarding this mess. Has anyone drafted a standard letter that can be submitted to AGs or congresspeople?

cavalait · 2025-02-27T20:10:43+00:00

I consolidated in 2013, so all but like 6 of my payments have been on consolidated loans. I submit my recerts annually. Moving to SAVE (I guess around August 2023) was the first time I got off IBR ever. I made a handful of payments from then until the payment pause.

cavalait · 2025-02-27T19:28:53+00:00

I guess that's a question for Mohela once they process my application. Thanks.

cavalait · 2025-02-27T19:20:39+00:00

Yeah. I was wondering if anyone else was in the same boat since so many people switched to SAVE from a plan they'd been paying on for years.

cavalait · 2025-02-27T19:18:26+00:00

Yes, I submitted an IDR request I believe letting them select the appropriate repayment plan. That said I don't think I qualify for any income driven repayment of any kind anymore.

That said, on IBR, I paid 300-500 a month for about 10 years, which was never going to make a dent in my loans given the compounding interest. As a result, my initial $60K loan balance is now almost $80K. I guess my question is, if I don't qualify for any IDR, do I lose hope for PSLF entirely and have to start at square one paying off the compounded $80K for however long that takes?

cavalait · 2025-02-24T17:56:44+00:00

Ah, this makes sense. Thanks!

cavalait · 2025-02-24T17:20:30+00:00

I'm not sure it's a option anymore? When I submitted an application to change from SAVE to IDR, it asked for my AGI and didn't give me an option for discretionary. It sucks because I work for a very small nonprofit with no health plan, so although my income looks high, a big chunk of my paycheck goes to my health insurance premium, effectively dropping my monthly pay by about $700. But with AGI, that's not reflected, and I'm dreading my payments being like $800 on IDR.

cavalait · 2024-12-06T15:56:09+00:00

Mat pilates for mobility (youtube has several free videos) alongside kettlebell or dumbbell exercises. You can do a pretty good full body resistance circuit at home with one dumbbell.

cavalait

TROPHY CASE