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The Student Loan Restart Federal student loan payments are set to resume in October 2023, more than three years after they were paused because of the pandemic. Millions of borrowers have questions, and we have answers.
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The Student Loan Restart

Student loans for parents can be a debt trap. But there's a loophole
Delphine Lee/NPR

Analysis

Student loans for parents can be a debt trap. But there's a loophole

Until July 2025, parent PLUS borrowers can paperwork their way into a kinder, gentler repayment plan.

Student loans for parents can be a debt trap. But there's a loophole

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How new borrowers can prepare for their first student loan payment

A Spelman College graduate waves during the school's 2023 commencement ceremony on May 21. Recent college graduates are due to make their first student loan payments in the coming weeks. Paras Griffin/Getty Images hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Analysis

How new borrowers can prepare for their first student loan payment

When student loan bills begin coming due in October, new borrowers will take their first steps on the long road to paying off their debt. These tools and tips can help ease the journey.

Federal student loan borrowers prepare to resume repaying their loans

For more than three years, no one had to pay their federal student loans. Payments are due again in October, but some borrowers are seeing their debts eliminated.

Federal student loan borrowers prepare to resume repaying their loans

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Student loan borrowers are spending a lot of time on hold, says federal watchdog
Hanna Barczyk for NPR

Student loan borrowers are spending a lot of time on hold, says federal watchdog

The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says many borrowers are struggling to get through to the companies that get paid to answer their questions.

Student loan borrowers are spending a lot of time on hold, says federal watchdog

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A big group of student loan borrowers are learning their debt has been forgiven

Federal student loan borrowers are expected to resume payments this fall. But more than 800,000 borrowers are finding out that their loans have suddenly been forgiven.

A big group of student loan borrowers are learning their debt has been forgiven

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Student loan borrowers who've been repaying for about 20 years got some good news

Federal student loan borrowers are expected to resume payments this fall. But more than 800,000 borrowers are finding out that their loans have suddenly been forgiven.

Student loan borrowers who've been repaying for about 20 years got some good news

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Borrowers can now apply for new, income-based student loan repayment

College graduation cap and gown made of $100 bill LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

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Borrowers can now apply for new, income-based student loan repayment

More than 20 million borrowers are eligible under the new repayment plan, and many will see lower payments.

Borrowers can now apply for new, income-based student loan repayment

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The new Biden plan that could still erase your student loans
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Milli

Planet Money

The new Biden plan that could still erase your student loans

This summer, the Supreme Court struck down Biden's plan to forgive student loan debt for millions of borrowers. Except, on the same day Biden first announced that plan, he also unveiled another, the SAVE plan. And though SAVE sounded less significant than Biden's big forgiveness pledge, it's still alive and could erase even more student debt.

The new Biden plan that could still erase your student loans

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More than 800,000 borrowers are eligible to benefit from student loan forgiveness

The Biden administration has announced it will forgive debts held by 800,000 federal student loan recipients for low-income borrowers.

More than 800,000 borrowers are eligible to benefit from student loan forgiveness

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More than 800,000 borrowers will receive federal student loan forgiveness

The debt erasure applies to long-time borrowers who should have qualified for loan forgiveness under the rules of the government's income-driven repayment plans, but haven't received it.

More than 800,000 borrowers will receive federal student loan forgiveness

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Student loan forgiveness is on the way for more than 800,000 borrowers
LA Johnson/NPR

Student loan forgiveness is on the way for more than 800,000 borrowers

The loan forgiveness comes after past mishandling of income-driven repayment plans, which were designed for low-income borrowers. The move will erase $39 billion in federal student loan debt.

Student loan forgiveness is on the way for more than 800,000 borrowers

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You could still be eligible for student loan forgiveness under this plan

Graduates attend Tennessee State University's commencement ceremony in Nashville on May 7, 2022. Under a new repayment plan, millions of student loan borrowers will see their monthly repayment amounts cut in half or more. Jason Davis/Getty Images hide caption

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You could still be eligible for student loan forgiveness under this plan

The Supreme Court may have struck down a sweeping plan for student loan debt forgiveness, but under President Biden's new income-driven repayment plan, SAVE, borrowers stand to pay thousands less.

What the Supreme Court's rejection of student loan relief means for borrowers
María Hergueta for NPR

What the Supreme Court's rejection of student loan relief means for borrowers

The court has struck down President Biden's plan to discharge federal student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans. Here are five takeaways for borrowers and the country.

What the Supreme Court's rejection of student loan relief means for borrowers

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Supreme Court strikes down Biden's student debt forgiveness program

Millions of federal borrowers will not see their debts decreased or erased. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans will have to restart loan payments as soon as September.

Supreme Court strikes down Biden's student debt forgiveness program

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Exclusive: New Biden student loan plan unveiled amid agency funding crisis
LA Johnson/NPR

Exclusive: New Biden student loan plan unveiled amid agency funding crisis

The Office of Federal Student Aid has a lot on its plate in 2023, including implementation of an ambitious new student loan repayment plan. Now it just needs money to pay for it.

Exclusive: New Biden student loan plan unveiled amid agency funding crisis

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Millions of student loan borrowers' debt unnecessarily spent years in forbearance

While the Supreme Court is yet to decide on President Biden's student loan relief plan, the Department of Education is reviewing millions of borrower accounts and could cancel debts for some.

Millions of student loan borrowers' debt unnecessarily spent years in forbearance

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