Your Student Loan Just Got Harder. Here's the One Decision That Actually Matters.

With 7.5 million borrowers receiving servicer notices starting July 1, this episode breaks down exactly what the end of the SAVE plan means for your federal student loan repayment — and what you need to do before the government makes the choice for you. The repayment landscape has changed significantly. New borrowers are now limited to two options, older plans like PAYE and ICR are on a sunset timeline, and anyone who was auto-enrolled in SAVE is now on a 90-day clock to select a replacement plan. This episode covers how to read that deadline, how to choose the right plan for your situation, and why the stakes are especially high for anyone pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness. - The SAVE plan ended March 10. Borrowers who paid nothing under SAVE now face balance-based payments under the default auto-enrollment option — often a more expensive outcome. - A three-question framework helps narrow the choice between RAP, IBR, and the Tiered Standard Plan, each suited to a different borrower profile and forgiveness timeline. - The Tiered Standard Plan disqualifies PSLF borrowers. Auto-enrollment into this plan stops the forgiveness clock with no warning letter — a silent but serious risk for nurses, teachers, and social workers. - studentaid.gov is currently showing glitches. PAYE is not appearing as an option for some eligible borrowers, likely connected to significant staff reductions at the Education Department. - A new employer eligibility rule takes effect July 1 and is currently being challenged in court by several cities. Affected nonprofit workers should submit employment certification before the deadline. If you have federal student loans, act before July 1. Log into your servicer account, review your options, and do not wait for the auto-enrollment default. The website may be glitchy — the deadline is not.