Student debt news covering loan forgiveness, repayment plans, borrowing trends, and higher education finance reform.
The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) strips interest waivers and principal reduction matches if a payment is even one day late, eliminating the grace period of previous plans. Nearly 46,000 borrowers applied on launch day.
This commentary argues that parents should consider community college and blue-collar certification programs as a financially prudent alternative to expensive four-year degrees. It contends that the cost savings and reduced debt burden can significantly benefit the family's financial legacy, while also providing job security in the AI era.
This commentary argues that recent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act create significant obstacles for borrowers. It contends that the new Tiered Standard Plan does not count toward PSLF, parent PLUS borrowers are locked out, and former SAVE enrollees face a narrow window to preserve progress.
This commentary argues that the growing number of older Americans with federal student loan debt, compounded by interest and limited repayment options, is forcing many to delay retirement indefinitely. It highlights the case of a 60-year-old engineer whose balance ballooned from $114,000 to nearly $500,000, illustrating systemic flaws in student loan and retirement policy.
Millions of federal student loan borrowers have 90 days to switch repayment plans after the SAVE plan was ruled illegal. Borrowers who do not select a plan will be placed in a standard or tiered standard plan. Notices will be sent by the end of the year.