Education Department Reopens IDR Applications After Court-Mandated Pause

Borrowers can now apply for older repayment plans, but the SAVE plan remains blocked as legal battles continue.

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.