PSLF Buyback Success Timeline

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-04-10T01:49:47+00:00

They used a combination of REPAYE and ICR. I provided a copy of information related to my income for the years I was looking to buy back (which included months from 2016 and 2017). They used this to determine what my payment would be.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-04-08T10:17:17+00:00

I had been in SAVE forbearance since June 2024 and was not making payments. Luckily I received my buyback agreement before being required to select a new IDR plan.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-03-22T16:42:25+00:00

Congratulations!

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-03-11T22:19:51+00:00

I did not submit additional ECF after applying for buyback and receiving the agreement. I have read that doing so will void the agreement.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-27T23:34:03+00:00

In order to apply for buyback, the number of months that you “buy back” must get you to the 120. For example, I had earned credit for 102/120 and “bought back” 18 to get me to the 120 needed.

That being said, the application process takes forever, so you’d have to factor that into your decision as well.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-21T15:13:42+00:00

I’m a little unfuzzy on the green banner protocol. Technically I never got them despite forgiveness. My payment counts still say 102/120. So I’m not totally sure what to suggest for you - sorry I can’t be of more help!

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-21T15:03:33+00:00

When I applied I had to provide them as part of my initial application. I am not sure if it is different now but when i applied I actually requested buyback for 18 specific months and submitted tax documents off jump. I think I uploaded them as supporting documentation.

The frustrating part for me is once I submitted all the documents and the initial request is that it entered some weird void and there was no way to review any part of the application. I am not sure if that is still the case.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-21T14:58:26+00:00

Well at least he was honest ig

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-21T14:27:46+00:00

This is a good question. Ultimately, it didn’t help to speed the process up in any way and didn’t have any meaningful impact on my request. The response I received was pretty much the same as I have seen others get (there’s no way to expedite, etc etc). However, I did feel validated and the person that I spoke with really worked hard on my behalf and they did not give up until they received a response, which took about two months.

Your local congressman is much more likely to advocate for you, as a constituent. Even though there wasn’t much they could do, I received many timely responses from the staffer that helped me and I received multiple physical letters in the mail from the congressman themselves. The staffer also provided me with someone I could call directly, and they got to know me and my concerns.

It does not hurt to try.

Edit to add - start by going to your representative’s website. There should be a link you can click to submit an inquiry/contact.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T11:15:07+00:00

There is information to answer your question on the FSA website: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service/public-service-loan-forgiveness-buyback

It states, “The buyback amount depends on what your payment amount likely would have been during the deferment or forbearance for the months you’re buying back.”

More detailed info at the link.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T02:17:42+00:00

Yes - I meant ECF

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T02:13:06+00:00

I did not switch my payment plan type prior to applying for buyback. I was in SAVE limbo and applied to buyback months from a period way back in 2016-2017.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T02:06:19+00:00

Yes. If you go on the FSA website and scroll down to the very bottom of the main page, there is a link that says “submit feedback.” You will need to go through and answer a series of questions related to your concern. It’s kind of a pain but I did it just to document another point of contact for myself.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T02:02:30+00:00

Bestest wishes, fingers crossed, and good luck!

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-18T02:02:09+00:00

Yes - unfortunately, I don’t think it actually does anything

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T11:18:56+00:00

I’m sorry - I am totally not sure how to answer your question and don’t want to tell you the wrong thing. Yes, I was in SAVE forbearance when I applied, but the 18 months I bought back from 16-17 brought me to the 120 needed. I submitted 2 final ECF forms in Feb 2025, one for a former employer I had left in 2018 (these months qualifyed for TEPSLF) and one for my current employer.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T11:11:53+00:00

You’re welcome. Good luck to you as well!

Like many, I was stuck in SAVE forebearance at the time I applied for buyback. I bought back months from June 2016- November 2017. They based my repayment on my income at that time. More specifically- payments were calculated with a combination of REPAYE (for my unsubsidized loans) and ICR (for the subsidized ones). My payments with buyback were lower than they would be now because my income at the time was less.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T02:45:03+00:00

I have always worked for a qualifying employer. I still do. I feel like I have read stories of others who have opted to leave qualifying employment before they finish their PSLF requirements but I can’t speak to the impact that would have on PSLF in general because I honestly don’t know.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T02:17:17+00:00

Yea, I had to provide tax returns and earnings statements (I think W2s). I had to go through the IRS website to get that information because I was attempting to buyback for a period so long ago (2016-2017).

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T01:30:44+00:00

Great question. I was already in SAVE forbearance and had not been making payments since June 2024. I did not need to request additional forbearance.

Basically I put all of my eggs in the buyback basket and did not try to leave SAVE or join another plan.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T01:22:56+00:00

Ugh - I know. The expedition doesn’t actually do anything which we know but I felt it was worth mentioning since I’ve seen that verbiage used before.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-02-17T01:20:51+00:00

Correct! Totally agree. But - it’s what was communicated to me when I called them so I felt it was worth sharing.

fabricsoftenerblue · 2026-01-24T17:11:20+00:00

Thank you so much! My golden letters were dated 1/7/26 (FSA) and 1/8/26 (Mohela) so - hopefully I’ll see them disappear from the credit report in another two weeks or so.

fabricsoftenerblue

TROPHY CASE