SAVE plan: what SAVE borrowers do now
The SAVE plan ended by court order on March 10, 2026. If SAVE was your plan, choose another repayment plan. If you don't choose a plan, you'll be assigned to Standard or Tiered Standard Plan.
- March 10, 2026A court order ended SAVE
- July 1, 2026The RAP plan opened
- You have 2 choices if the loan was made after RAP opened
SAVE plan update: the lawsuit and what happened
The SAVE Plan ended on March 10, 2026 under a court order. The order also ends payments calculated under the SAVE or REPAYE formula. Even if you were enrolled, SAVE plan student loans mean you need to pick a new plan.
What the SAVE plan ending means for your forbearance
Payments were paused for many SAVE borrowers during the case. The pause has now ended. You'll have to choose a new plan and begin paying again. Your servicer will tell you the due date for your first bill.
The clock for your forgiveness
When you log in at studentaid.gov, you'll see your count of qualifying payments. Review that count before you choose. Work full-time for an eligible employer and make 120 qualifying monthly payments, and PSLF forgives the Direct Loan balance that's left. RAP progress counts toward PSLF forgiveness.
After SAVE, choosing your next plan
RAP or IBR is what most SAVE borrowers choose. Consider this example. Marcus has 1 child and earns $55,000. RAP would mean about $179 a month for him. For a family of 2, IBR would cost him about $188 monthly. Try both plans with your own numbers before choosing.
| Plan | Still open? | Who can use it |
|---|---|---|
| RAP | Yes | Direct Loan borrowers can use it, but not parent PLUS loans or consolidation loans that paid off parent PLUS loans. |
| IBR | Yes, for older loans | For loans taken out earlier than july 1, 2026 |
| Tiered Standard | Yes | Every Direct Loan borrower can use it. It's the only option for parent PLUS loans first paid out on or after July 1, 2026. |
| PAYE and ICR | Until July 1, 2028 | If you're a current user, you have until June 30, 2028 to pick a new plan. |
How to move off SAVE
Use your FSA ID to log in at studentaid.gov.
In the income-driven repayment application, choose RAP or IBR.
Give your permission so the Department of Education can pull your tax data. It fills in your income automatically.
Enter how you file your taxes along with your family size.
Send it. Your new payment comes in a letter from the servicer.
Guides on related topics
Common questions
What's replacing the SAVE plan?
RAP became available on July 1, 2026. For most borrowers, it's the new income-driven plan.
What if I don't choose a plan?
The Standard Plan or the Tiered Standard Plan will be assigned to you. The date your loans were paid out is what counts.
Can I still receive a SAVE payment?
No. Payments based on the SAVE formula are stopped by the court order.
Sources: Federal Student Aid, IDR court actions, plus Nelnet, end of the SAVE plan.