5 Strategies To Cope With Student Loan Uncertainty When the Rules Keep Changing

If you've been feeling overwhelmed by constant student loan rule changes, you're not alone. Over the past few years, federal student loan borrowers have had to navigate a payment pause, a canceled loan forgiveness attempt, and the introduction (and elimination) of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan. 

This constant back-and-forth can take a serious emotional toll and make it hard to plan for your financial future. That doesn't mean inaction is the best choice, though. You can still be proactive about managing your student loans amid all this uncertainty. 

We’re breaking down the past and upcoming policy changes and providing a roadmap to help you navigate your student loan journey. 

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What's changed with student loans in recent years? 

There have been a lot of student loan policy changes in the past few years, and another overhaul is on its way due to the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” 

“These shifts have created confusion, delayed forgiveness timelines, and caused many borrowers to question which repayment strategy is best for them,” says Dr. Sonia Lewis, founder of The Student Loan Doctor LLC, a company that helps educate borrowers about student loan debt and repayment. 

Here's a closer look at some of these changes. 

Federal student loan forbearance

In March 2020, federal student loans were placed in an emergency interest-free forbearance to give borrowers relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. This forbearance almost expired several times, but it got a few last-minute extensions, creating a nerve-racking cycle for borrowers. 

The payment pause officially ended in September 2023, and payments resumed in October of that year. You still can apply for temporary forbearance if you run into financial hardship or have another qualifying reason, but interest will accrue on your loans during this time. 

Mass federal student loan forgiveness

In summer 2022, then-President Joe Biden announced that his administration would forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for qualifying borrowers. The Department of Education provided an official form on its website, and more than 26 million borrowers applied. 

However, the plan was blocked due to legal challenges and ultimately struck down by the Supreme Court in June 2023. 

The SAVE Plan

Biden's SAVE Plan was also blocked by the courts. This plan offered lower payments and a faster path to forgiveness than other income-driven repayment plans. 

More than 7 million borrowers had their loans placed into an interest-free administrative forbearance in July 2024 while the legal challenges played out. However, SAVE Plan loans began accruing interest again in August 2025. 

New rules taking effect in 2026

If all those changes weren't enough, there will be a major overhaul to federal student aid starting on July 1, 2026. Some of these changes include: 

• Fewer student loan repayment plans: The existing student loan plans will be replaced by the following two plans for new borrowers: a revised Standard Repayment Plan and the new income-based Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). The SAVE, PAYE, and Income-Contingent Repayment plans will be phased out by July 2028, while the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan will still be available to those who took out loans prior to July 2026. 
• New borrowing limits: New graduate students will face a lower total borrowing limit for Direct Unsubsidized Loans after this date ($100,000 aggregate), while students in professional programs like law and medical school will have slightly higher limits ($50,000 per year; $200,000 aggregate). Parent PLUS loans will have a new annual limit of $20,000 per year per dependent, with an aggregate limit of $65,000.
• No more grad PLUS loans: The grad PLUS loan program is going away for new borrowers. If you already have grad PLUS loans prior to July 2026, you can keep borrowing for up to 3 years or the end of your program, whichever comes first. 
• Restrictions on deferment and forbearance: Loans disbursed after July 1, 2027, won't be eligible for economic hardship or unemployment deferments. The forbearance time frame will also be shortened to 9 months within any 24-month period for loans disbursed on or after that date. 

These rules primarily affect new loans on or after July 1, 2026. If you already have student loans, you can retain access to most current loan programs and repayment plans, at least temporarily. 

How to make informed decisions when student loan rules keep changing 

It can be tough to stay informed of all the changing student loan policies, but these steps can help. 

1. Keep up with the latest news 

Follow updates from the Department of Education, your loan servicer, and trusted news outlets, but be wary of news you hear on social media. 

“It’s been pretty difficult for borrowers to keep up with all of the changes in recent years,” says Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA). "The best thing they can do is keep an eye on StudentAid.gov and be sure to read all of the correspondence they receive from their loan servicers," she explains.

Taking a proactive approach ensures you receive information directly from the source. 

2. Identify your student loan servicers

You can find out who your loan servicers are in your Federal Student Aid account. Once you know who your servicer is, sign in to your account on your loan servicer's website and update your personal information. That way, you can manage your payments and won't miss any important communications. 

You can also contact your loan servicer if you need help navigating repayment plans or applying for hardship relief. 

3. Review your student loan balances and interest rates  

Once you've signed in to your loan accounts, review key details like your balances, interest rates, and repayment plans. You'll also see your loan status, whether it's in active repayment, forbearance, or even default. Contact your loan servicer if you spot discrepancies or are confused about anything you find. 

4. Compare repayment plan options 

Use the Federal Student Aid loan simulator to compare your monthly payments and interest costs on various repayment plans. This tool can help you find the right repayment plan to match your goal, whether that's paying off your loans quickly, getting the lowest monthly payment, or qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. 

5. Document everything along the way 

Keeping records of your student loan payments can protect you if servicing errors occur along the way. Save all your important documents, such as payment confirmations, repayment plan enrollments, communications with your loan servicer, and any progress you've made toward loan forgiveness. 

How to protect your finances while student loan policies remain uncertain

Changing student loan policies doesn't have to derail your financial plan. Here are some ways to protect your personal finances while managing student loans. 

Avoid making rash decisions based on headlines 

First, try not to panic when you see troubling news. 

“I’m seeing some borrowers panicking over election results or suggested policy changes that haven’t been written into law and making decisions that are harmful to them that can’t be reversed,” says Mayotte. “Consumers need to stay informed but also fight the urge to make such quick decisions.”

If you'd like extra guidance, speak to your loan servicer or a student loan counselor from a reliable organization. 

“Borrowers should verify updates directly through StudentAid.gov or trusted experts before making changes,” says Lewis. “Decisions should be based on their long-term financial goals, not temporary news cycles.”

Check in on your student loans periodically 

You don't need to revisit your student loans every day, but do review them every few months to confirm your status. If your financial circumstances change, it may be time to apply for a different repayment plan or recertify your income on an income-driven plan. 

Build flexibility into your budget in case your student loan payments change 

Your monthly payments could change in the future if you're on SAVE or another income-driven plan that will be eliminated in the next few years. Review your budget and look for ways to create a payment buffer in case your student loan bills increase. 

Having some flexibility in your budget, if possible, can help avoid financial strain if your student loan payments go up. 

Stay organized, informed, and flexible to make smart student loan choices 

You can't control federal student loan policy, but you can control how prepared you are. By staying organized, informed, and flexible, you can make smart choices about your student loans, even if you have to adapt to changing policies along the way.