NEW YORK — Recent shifts in federal student loan policies under the Trump administration have left many borrowers scrambling for clarity amid halted applications for income-driven repayment plans. The changes, triggered by a February court ruling that suspended Biden-era initiatives, have disrupted access to programs designed to ease debt burdens based on income and family size.
The U.S. Department of Education has removed online and paper applications for these plans, complicating efforts for unemployed individuals—including federal workers—to adjust payments. “Just months ago, borrowers could enroll in $0 monthly payment plans if they lost income. Now, that lifeline is gone,” said Natalia Abrams of the Student Debt Crisis Center. Experts warn the move also muddies recertification requirements for existing enrollees, who must periodically prove eligibility.
Further strain comes from Department of Education staff reductions and a hours-long outage this week on StudentAid.gov, though officials insist services will continue. “It’s been relentless setbacks for student borrowers,” noted Aissa Canchola Bañez of the Student Borrower Protection Center.
Guidance for Affected Borrowers
- Contact Loan Servicers: Confirm recertification deadlines and alternative options if online forms are unavailable. Borrowers already in income-driven plans should retain access if they can recertify.
- Document Everything: Abrams advises screenshotting account details on StudentAid.gov for records.
- Seek State or Congressional Aid: State-specific resources and congressional caseworkers can assist with federal agency hurdles. Bañez suggests telling representatives, “I need help accessing affordable repayment options promised under law.”
- Explore Relief Measures: Despite CFPB cuts under Trump, servicers must still assess financial hardship. Borrowers might qualify for deferments or forbearance.
Borrowers Speak Out
Jessica Fugate, 42, a Los Angeles public employee nearing loan forgiveness via the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, applied in January to switch plans amid legal challenges to Biden’s SAVE program. “This was my affordable path to debt relief,” she said. While her application was received, approval timelines remain unclear. “After a decade in public service, I upheld my end. Where’s theirs?”
Debbie Breen, 56, a nonprofit worker in Spokane, Washington, fears rising payments after being placed in forbearance under SAVE. “I was months away from freedom. Now, I’m panicking,” she said, noting her children face similar struggles. “We’re not just numbers—this is paralyzing.”
Uncertainty Ahead
With income-driven plans in limbo and layoffs hampering federal responsiveness, advocates urge borrowers to stay vigilant. “Servicers must still work with you,” Bañez emphasized. Yet for many, trust in the system is fraying. “We’re stuck in a nightmare with no end,” Breen said.
As legal and bureaucratic battles persist, millions await resolution—and hope their payments still count toward a future beyond debt.
