As the U.S. grapples with changing policies, many federal student loan forgiveness programs have been paused or overhauled. Here’s your complete, refreshed guide to Income-Based Repayment (IBR) and other key plans.
✅ What Is IBR (Income‑Based Repayment)?
IBR caps your monthly payments at either 10 % or 15 % of your discretionary income.
If you first borrowed after July 1, 2014, payments = 10 % → forgiveness after 20 years.
Otherwise, payments = 15 % → 25-year forgiveness.
Requires annual income/family size recertification.
Only available for federal Direct and FFEL loans (excluding Parent PLUS unless consolidated).
🔑 The big plus? IBR was enacted by Congress in 2007—unlike newer, administratively created plans—and is not affected by recent court injunctions .
đź•“ Forgiveness Still Active Under IBR
Payments made under other IDR plans like PAYE, SAVE, or ICR will count toward IBR forgiveness if you switch to IBR .
You can still enroll in IBR, even though some IDR applications are temporarily paused .
IBR remains the only IDR plan whose forgiveness feature is active.
⚠️ What’s On Pause or Blocked?
1. SAVE Plan: Blocked by the 8th Circuit Court in Feb 2025 for exceeding authority. Borrowers are in forbearance, with time not counting toward forgiveness . No payments or progress allowed. 2. PAYE & ICR: Applications were temporarily suspended following court rulings. However, they reopened in late March 2025, though forgiveness under these plans remains halted .
2. Online Applications: The Department removed online portals for IDR enrollment and consolidation in early 2025. Paper applications are still available .
🔄 What You Can Do Now
Enroll in IBR (online if available, or via paper application).
Switch from SAVE/PAYE/ICR to IBR so your past payments apply toward IBR forgiveness.
Recertify income annually to stay enrolled and maintain qualification.
đź“Ś Big Picture: What Borrowers Need to Know
IBR stands strong—eligible, enrollable, and forgiveness-active.
Other IDR plans are in limbo: blocked, paused, or paused for processing.
If you’re nearing forgiveness under another IDR plan, switch to IBR to preserve your timeline.
Keep an eye on policy changes; Congress or courts may further update rules through 2025.
📆 Timeline Summary
Plan Status Notes
IBR Active Enroll, payments count, forgiveness intact
SAVE Blocked since Feb 18, 2025 In forbearance; time doesn’t count
PAYE/ICR Applications paused → reopened Forgiveness still blocked
IDR Portals Offline since early 2025 Use paper forms
🔚 Bottom Line
If you want to save time and stress less, move to IBR now. It’s fully functional and forgives what’s left—where others stall. Time on IDR plans like SAVE or PAYE can still go to waste unless you act quickly.
How to Apply for IBR
- Log in to studentaid.gov
- Select “Income-Driven Repayment Application”
- Choose IBR and submit income documentation
- Recertify each year to stay on the plan