Student Loan Blog

Expert guides, tips, and updates on federal student loan repayment, forgiveness programs, and 2026 changes that affect your loans.

May 2026 • 9 min read

Does RAP Count Toward PSLF? How Repayment Assistance Plan Payments Work for Public Service Loan Forgiveness in 2026

Yes — on-time payments under the new Repayment Assistance Plan count toward PSLF's 120 qualifying payments, and switching to RAP does not reset your count. But there is a catch: RAP credit toward PSLF is not the same as credit toward legacy IDR forgiveness. Here is how RAP and PSLF fit together, the RAP payment formula, and a checklist to protect your progress.

May 2026 • 10 min read

Should I Consolidate My Student Loans Before July 1, 2026? The Deadline That Locks In Your Plan Options

A Direct Consolidation Loan is treated as a new loan, and under the RISE rule that means consolidating on or after July 1, 2026 locks you into RAP and cuts off IBR. But consolidation also usually resets your qualifying payment count to zero. Here is when consolidating before the deadline is smart, when it destroys years of forgiveness credit, and a 5-step decision checklist.

May 2026 • 11 min read

RAP to IBR Switch-Back 2026: Why Your RAP Payment Credits Don't Transfer and How to Choose the Right Plan the First Time

The RISE final rule confirmed that payments made under the new Repayment Assistance Plan do not count toward IBR forgiveness if you switch back. Here is exactly how the one-way credit rule works, the four scenarios where it costs the most, and a four-question checklist for picking the right plan before the 90-day transition window closes.

May 2026 • 10 min read

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates 2026-27: New Stafford and Parent PLUS Rates Effective July 1

The May 12 Treasury auction set the rates for federal student loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026: 6.52% undergrad Stafford, 8.07% grad Stafford, and 9.07% Direct PLUS. Each is up about 13 basis points from 2025-26. Here is what the increase actually costs, who is affected, and how the new rates interact with RAP and Tiered Standard.

May 2026 • 12 min read

Student Loan Wage Garnishment 2026: How to Stop It Before the Collections Pause Ends

The Department of Education paused all involuntary collections on defaulted federal student loans on January 16, 2026, but the pause has no end date. Here is the precise window for rehabilitation, consolidation, and a hardship hearing, plus the 5-step playbook for the 5.5 million borrowers currently in default.

May 2026 • 11 min read

PSLF Employer Eligibility 2026: What the "Substantial Illegal Purpose" Rule Means for Your Forgiveness

The Department of Education's final rule lets the Secretary disqualify employers from PSLF starting July 1, 2026. Here is exactly what "substantial illegal purpose" means, the five activity categories, the 10-year disqualification window, why your already-made payments are protected, and a 5-step checklist before the rule takes effect.

May 2026 • 11 min read

SAVE Plan Interest Capitalization 2026: Which Switch Triggers It, Which Doesn't, and How to Minimize the Damage

Roughly 9.5 months of unpaid interest has accrued on every SAVE forbearance loan since August 2025. The plan you switch to in 2026 decides whether that interest gets folded into your principal or stays separate. Here is the exact map of safe and unsafe exit paths and how to keep that interest out of your principal.

May 2026 • 10 min read

PAYE Closes to New Applicants July 1, 2026: The Last-Chance Window SAVE Borrowers Should Not Miss

The RISE final rule locks in July 1, 2026 as the last day to apply for the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan. For a meaningful slice of SAVE borrowers, PAYE is still the cheapest legal monthly payment available. Here is who qualifies, how it compares to RAP and IBR, and what to do in the 51 days remaining.

May 2026 • 12 min read

IDR Application Backlog 2026: How the 60-Day Processing Forbearance Works and How to Survive a Stalled Application

More than half a million IDR applications are sitting in the federal queue this spring. Here is how the 60-day processing forbearance works, what happens when it expires, the five-step escalation playbook, and how to keep your PSLF and forgiveness clocks running while you wait.

May 2026 • 11 min read

Student Loan Forbearance Limits 2026: The New 9-Month Cap Coming July 2027 and How to Use Forbearance Strategically Right Now

The RISE final rule caps borrower-requested forbearance at 9 months in any rolling 24-month window starting July 1, 2027. Here is exactly how the new limit works, who it applies to, and a 4-question checklist for deciding whether to pause payments before the cap arrives.

May 2026 • 10 min read

PSLF Buyback in 2026: How to Buy Back SAVE Forbearance Months Under the New Calculation Rule

PSLF buyback got more expensive on March 31, 2026, when the Department of Education stopped using the SAVE formula to price non-qualifying months. Here is exactly how the program works now, what your buyback bill will look like, and how to apply without losing months to the 88,000-application backlog.

May 2026 • 11 min read

RISE Final Rule Published: Every Federal Student Loan Change Locked In for July 1, 2026

On May 1, 2026, the Department of Education published its final regulation implementing every major student loan provision in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Here is what is now locked in, what stayed the same from the proposed rule, and what borrowers should do in the 58 days before July 1.

May 2026 • 11 min read

IBR Plan 2026: How the End of Partial Financial Hardship Changes Everything (and How to Apply Now)

The 2025 reconciliation law removed the partial financial hardship test, opening IBR to every borrower with loans disbursed before July 1, 2026. Here's the new IBR formula, when it beats RAP, and exactly how to apply with your servicer.

May 2026 • 10 min read

Tiered Standard Repayment Plan 2026: How It Works and Who Should Choose It

The new Tiered Standard Plan launches July 1 with fixed payments over 10 to 25 years based on your balance. Learn how payment tiers work, see a side-by-side comparison with RAP, and use a 4-step framework to pick the right plan.

April 2026 • 12 min read

Class of 2026 Student Loan Repayment Guide: What New Graduates Need to Know

Graduating this spring? Your loan landscape looks different than any class before you. From your grace period to the new RAP plan, here's everything you need to know before your first payment is due.

April 2026 • 11 min read

How to Get Student Loans Out of Default in 2026: Rehabilitation vs. Consolidation

9.2 million borrowers are in default as collections resume. Learn how loan rehabilitation and consolidation work, step-by-step instructions to stop wage garnishment, and which option is right for your situation.

April 2026 • 11 min read

Married Filing Separately vs Jointly for Student Loans in 2026: How to Decide

Your tax filing status can change your student loan payment by hundreds of dollars a month. Learn how MFS vs MFJ affects RAP, IBR, and PAYE payments, what tax benefits you lose, and a 5-step framework to find the option that saves you the most.

April 2026 • 10 min read

Grad PLUS Loans Are Ending July 2026: How to Pay for Graduate School Under New Borrowing Limits

More than 440,000 graduate students per year relied on Grad PLUS loans. Starting July 1, that option disappears. Here's what's replacing it, who's affected, and six strategies to bridge the funding gap.

April 2026 • 11 min read

SAVE Plan Is Dead: How to Switch Repayment Plans Before the 2026 Deadline

Over 7 million borrowers are stuck in SAVE forbearance while the clock ticks. Step-by-step guide to choosing between RAP, IBR, and Standard repayment — plus why waiting could cost you thousands in lost forgiveness progress.

April 2026 • 11 min read

How to Lower Your AGI to Reduce Student Loan Payments in 2026

Your Adjusted Gross Income determines your monthly payment under RAP, IBR, and other income-driven plans. Learn 7 proven strategies to legally reduce your AGI and save hundreds per month on student loan payments.

April 2026 • 11 min read

Parent PLUS Loan Consolidation Deadline June 2026: Act Now or Lose IDR Forever

Parent PLUS borrowers must consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan before June 30, 2026 to preserve income-driven repayment eligibility. Learn the step-by-step process, key deadlines, and what happens if you miss the cutoff.

April 2026 • 9 min read

How to Get a 401(k) Match for Student Loan Payments in 2026 (SECURE 2.0)

Your student loan payments can now earn employer 401(k) matching contributions under SECURE 2.0. Learn how the student loan match works, who qualifies, 2026 contribution limits, and how to enroll.

April 2026 • 11 min read

Should You Refinance or Stay on Income-Driven Repayment in 2026?

Not sure whether to refinance your student loans or stick with a federal IDR plan? This complete decision guide walks through the key trade-offs, real-world scenarios, and a 5-question framework to help you choose.

April 2026 • 10 min read

How to Lower Your Student Loan Payments in 2026: 5 Strategies That Actually Work

Struggling with your monthly payment? Learn 5 proven strategies to reduce what you owe each month, from income-driven repayment plans and employer benefits to refinancing and tax deductions.

April 2026 • 10 min read

Student Loan Tax Bomb 2026: How to Prepare for Taxable Loan Forgiveness

IDR loan forgiveness is taxable again starting 2026. Learn what the tax bomb means, estimate your potential tax bill, and discover 6 strategies to prepare before your loans are forgiven.

April 2026 • 12 min read

RAP Repayment Plan 2026: Complete Guide to the New Federal Repayment Option

The RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan) is replacing the SAVE plan in 2026. Learn how it calculates payments based on discretionary income tiers, who qualifies, and how it compares to IBR and standard plans.

April 2026 • 10 min read

PSLF Qualifying Payments: 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid in 2026

Over 30% of PSLF applications get rejected. Discover the 7 most common mistakes borrowers make, from wrong loan types to employment certification errors, and how to ensure your payments count.

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