Overview

• The U.S. Department of Education has reopened applications for Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans after a month-long suspension.
• The suspension followed a February court ruling that blocked the Biden administration's SAVE plan and parts of other income-driven repayment programs.
• The SAVE plan, which offered lower monthly payments and faster loan forgiveness, remains unavailable due to ongoing legal challenges.
• Borrowers may face processing delays as loan servicers update their systems to comply with the court's directive.
• Advocacy groups, including the American Federation of Teachers, continue to push for broader access and clarity for borrowers affected by the disruptions.