7 Million SAVE Plan Borrowers Have 90 Days Starting July 1 to Pick a New Repayment Plan

Starting July 1, 2026, the Department of Education is launching a formal exit process for the roughly 7 million borrowers currently in SAVE Plan forbearance — and you have 90 days to choose a new repayment plan before the government makes that decision for you. SAVE has been in legal limbo since courts blocked the Biden-era plan, leaving millions in a payment-paused gray zone with interest implications that vary by situation. The 90-day window means you need to act by roughly October 1, 2026, and your options include income-driven plans like IBR, PAYE, and standard repayment — each with different monthly payment amounts and long-term forgiveness timelines. If you do nothing, the Department will likely move you to a plan automatically, which may not be the lowest-payment or best forgiveness-eligible option for your loan type. Log into studentaid.gov now to review your loan details and use the Loan Simulator to compare plans before the window closes.