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Federal Loan Updates & Current Events

This page is designed to provide updates and a record of changes, both proposed and enacted, for federal student loans beginning in Spring 2025. Information will be posted in a timely manner as relevant new is made available. Note that information is subject to change and should not be considered guaranteed or binding. For the most up to date policies and procedures for federal loan repayment, review the Federal Student Aid website and consult with your assigned servicer. 

Managing federal student loans can be challenging as it is, however preparing for repayment or making adjustments to your strategy can get more complicated in times of uncertainity and the unknown. 

*LAST UPDATED: 03/26/25*

To better assist borrowers in navigating the current landscape of federal student loan programs and policies, this page will be updated with relevant news, proposed changes, and enactment of laws that will impact how borrowers navigate repayment and long-term management of their loans. For the most up to date information, borrowers should refer to their assigned federal loan servicer. 

  • March 26th, 2025- According to an announcement from the Department of Education, as of March 26, 2025, the online IDR application is once again available for eligible borrowers to apply for the Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) Plans. The online loan consolidation application is also available again.

    Although the IDR application is now available, loan servicers are still updating their systems in accordance with the court’s actions. Servicers will begin processing applications in the near future. We will continue to update this page when new information becomes available, including when servicers resume processing IDR applications.

  • February 28th, 2025- Based on a memo from the Department of Education to current Loan Servicers, applications for Income Driven Repayment Plans will not be accepted or processed for 3-months. This timeline is subject to increase or decrease.  
  • February 26th, 2025- The online application as well as the paper application for Income Driven Repayment Plans has been taken down from the Federal Student Aid website. 
    • Article in Reference:  Forbes 
    • Article was amended to reflect change in availability of both versions of Income Driven Repayment Plan applications.
  • February 24th, 2025- The online application for Income Driven Repayment Plans has been taken down. Borrowers can still submit a paper application via PDF upload directly to their servicer site. 
    • Article in Reference: Forbes
  • March 26th, 2025- According to an announcement from the Department of Education, the online loan consolidation application is available again.
  • February 27th, 2025- The Department of Education confirmed paper applications for Direct Loan Consolidation remain available for borrowers to download, complete, and upload directly to their loan servicer site. 
  • February 24th, 2025- The online application for Direct Loan Consolidation has been removed from the Federal Student Aid website. The PDF version of the form is still available for borrowers to complete and upload to their loan servicer site. 
    • Article in Reference: Forbes
  • March 10th, 2025- In a post to both X & LinkedIn, the Department of Education announced it was reviewing the executive order to revise the PSLF program. Additionally, "...ED is required by law to use the negotiated rulemaking process to develop new regulations for the Title IV programs, unless the Secretary determines that doing so is 'impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest'." Federal Student Aid has not stopped processing Employment Certification Forms (PSLF Help Tool). 
  • March 7th, 2025- In an executive order, President Donald Trump announced that the "...Secretary of Education shall propose revisions to 34 C.F.R. 685.219, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury as appropriate, that ensure the definition of 'public service' excludes organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose...".