Still show that I am in forbearance with Aidvantage and haven’t gotten the dreaded July 1st email still. Anyone else holding with me until we get a concrete deadline for the new payment plan update?

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2026/07/12/student-loans-rap-late-payment.html

Seeing this particular part for the first time. How about you?

They must have added $1,000 in interest to my loans in the past few weeks while I was deciding on a payment plan. It's been awful. My loans are at an interest rate of 6.8%, and they are from 2009. That seems awfully high. I'm so sorry I ever went to school years ago. If I could do everything over, I never would have gone, Navient, Sallie Mae, Aidvantage, or whatever place you want to switch my loans to cheat me out of money.

Can anyone else relate? Please feel free to share your story.

I applied for RAP because of the lower payment, but I plan on sending in $100 instead of the minimum $10. I'll see if I can get on autopay so that I won't be late.

Edit: I've decided to just pay the minimum. Thank you all for the advice!

My wife is looking to switch into nursing in the near future, and it looks like these are our 2 main options:

1. Private Accelerated Bachelors in Nursing (ABSN) ~$80K: 16 month ABSN with totals costs of $80K all in (tuition, program fees, textbooks, exam prep, etc.) for the program. This program is significantly easier to get into compared to the ADNs in option 2, and has a NCLEX (nursing certification exam) pass rate of ~90%

2. Various Public Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN) ~$20K: Various public in-state ADN programs; each are relatively similar 24 month programs with total costs of about $20K all in (covers everything similar to the above). These programs are more competitive to get into, and have NCLEX pass rates between 80% - 90%.

Some relevant facts about our financial situation:

1. Both late 20s / early 30s, no kids and renting, but want to buy a house and have kids in the future (4 - 6 years)
2. I make ~$200K a year, wife is currently finishing nursing pre-reqs and is a full time student
3. Spend $7-8K a month in a HCOL, we have ~2K excess cash month after investing $2.8K a month (maxing 2 Roth IRAs, Family HSA, and putting 6% into 401K to get employer match)
4. Net worth of $174K

240K Assets: (211K Invested, $29K value of car, $15K cash)

$80K Debts ($51K federal student loans avg. rate of 3%, $29K car loan 1% rate)

5) Both have credit scores >770 which seem to qualify us for private loans with rates between 4-6%

We are currently saving the $2K excess cash each month, and I expect that we will be able to mostly cash flow an ADN program, but not the Private ABSN program. My wife is still in the process of applying, however there is a solid chance that she gets into both the private ABSN as well as one of the public ADN's.

Assuming that she gets into both, are we crazy for considering the Private ABSN given the $60K sticker difference? Our rationale is the following:

1. $50K made up by finishing faster: Starting wages in nursing are $40-$50 an hour in our HCOL west coast city, assuming she can begin working 8 months earlier under the ABSN, she would earn ~50K after tax during these 8 months:

($45/hour x 1560 working hour in 8 months = $70,200 x 0.7 (1.0 - assumed 30% tax rate) = $49,140)

2) No need for ADN - BSN bridge: In the future my wife would like to get a Bachelors in nursing, going straight to an ABSN would remove the need for her to do an ADN - Bachelors bridge program, saving potential future time and money (although I have heard that employers often sponsor this, so the money factor may be greatly diminished)

3) Possible student loan employer assistance: Multiple employers in the area have advertised student loan assistance programs based on working for them for 2 years. My understanding is that most of these settings are in generally less desirable med-surge positions, and she would like to maintain career flexibility, therefore it is definitely not a guarantee we will receive any employer assistance.

4) She has a desire to be done with school as soon as possible: Getting done with school 8 months earlier and moving on to a new life stage would be preferable

If you made is this far thanks so much for reading my ramblings, would appreciate any advice and happy to provide other relevant info if requested.

Hello all, I am sorry but I am unsure what to do in this situation. I am a graduate student who has been receiving Grad PLUS loans for 3 years, I qualify for the exemption under the new act. My school is telling me that the DoE has generated an eligibility code indicating that I do not qualify. I contacted FSA who ensured me multiple times that I do qualify. What do I do? I genuinely have no idea on how to navigate this and need these loans.

Am international and currently attending community to save money and planning on transferring to a university after this year. I’m gonna be the first person in my family to attend college so don’t really know how student loans work, any advice or suggestions on how to start?

I have two loan sets. 1 set on ICR and 1 set on SAVE. the ICR loans ARE consolidated (mixed of graduate loans and parent plus loans). The ICR loans are still in forbearance. To move the ICR loans to IBR I believe I must make one payment first. So, here are the questions/advice I need.

1. If i apply for IBR for the SAVE loans, will the application get rejected because I have an ICR loan in forbearance that has not had a payment since 7/2024 (previous payments were before 7/24)? I guess my question is: how will the loan servicer know that the application is only for moving the SAVE loans not doing anything with the ICR loans yet?

2. If there isn't a way for me to identify that the application is only for the SAVE loans, should I attempt to get the ICR loans out of forbearance first, make a payment, and then do the application? What are the steps to get loans out of forbearance?

In an ideal world, I'd like to just get the SAVE loans moved to IBR first. Once that is settled and finalized then I'd move the ICR to SAVE as well.

**Edit: Accidentally hit the "post" button while typing the body.

Hello,

Apologies in advance if this is something that has frequently come up. I am not the most financially literate person, so please bear with me.

I graduated in 2014 and have my own federal loans, and my mother consolidated her Plus loan years ago, so she only has the direct consolidation with Aidvantage. I have been making the payments for years. Her payment up until the time of recertification back in May was $116. Now, it appears her monthly payment is going up to $900, which is not remotely feasible for either of us. I make around $43k per year (the total she owes is...much higher), and she is recently retired and on a low, fixed income.

Here's the timeline:

• Letter from Aidvantage dated 5/17/26 reminds her that her IDR recertification application is due 5/28/26.
• We submitted the application using her tax return, Studentaid.gov confirmed receipt on 5/24/26. Three plans were presented as options, all had a $0 monthly payment, and we selected ICR.
• Aidvantage confirmed receipt of the application on 5/26/26 and has not been charging a monthly payment the last month or two.
• A letter from Aidvantage dated 7/2/26 states the $900 payments will begin 9/2. Her account says it's currently in forbearance. Her Studentaid account shows no record of the application and says the recertification date is now 7/2.
• My mom called and spoke with someone at Aidvantage twice this week. She said before she could get through to a person, an automated message said her application had been received and nothing further was needed. Then, the representative said our application had been canceled because we were supposed to select two plans instead of one. This is the first we'd heard of this - there's no mention of it in any letter, email, account, etc. I also can't find any information about selecting two plans - most results pertain to the new SAVE options.
• The representative said she'd be emailing my mom a link to a new application in 24 hours. She never received anything, so she called back, and a new person said it would be in her Aidvantage inbox. The last thing in her inbox is the letter dated 7/2 saying she'll owe $900.

My questions:

• Is submitting an entirely new application advisable? That is what's proposed in the last letter she received from Aidvantage.
• Is this just a case of servicer incompetence? My loans are through Nelnet, I'm on PAYE, I recertified around the same time and have had zero issues whatsoever.
• Would we be better off contacting the number for Studentaid to figure out what's going on?

Any help is majorly, majorly appreciated, because I'm about to throw up.

I have two Direct Consolidation Parent PLUS loans on ICR—one serviced by EdFinancial and one by Nelnet.

I submitted an electronic IDR application using IRS/Federal Tax Information (FTI). The Federal Student Aid website calculated my ICR payment at $1,391.15.

After processing, Nelnet reduced its payment to $529, but EdFinancial is still billing me the full $1,391.15, resulting in a combined monthly payment of about $1,920.

EdFinancial told me that I need to submit a paper IDR application because they say they cannot correctly calculate the payment using the electronic FTI application, even though they also state they obtain my other federal loan balances from NSLDS to prorate the payment.

Has anyone else had loans with two different servicers and successfully had one ICR payment correctly prorated between them?

• Did your servicers calculate it correctly?
• Did you have to submit a paper application?
• If so, why was a paper application necessary?

I have 55K in loans, I make 89K and filed taxes separately. I live in NYC and have expensive living costs and I also contribute to a Tax Deferred Annuity every month, so my actual take home is much less compared to my salary. Mohela is asking me to pay 492/month. When I apply for IBR all the simulations said I would be paying 300-350/month. Does this sound right? Did Mohela or I make a mistake?

Here to pass on some advice. If you are on auto pay, check to make sure that your loans are paid up to date.

2 years ago I made an extra payment to one loan group. It advanced my due date for that one group by one year. After that year the loan was never included in my auto payments and has accrued almost 1k in interest.

Under special payment instructions make sure that you check the box for “do not advance my due date”

I’ve filed a complaint but my hopes aren’t high this will be resolved in my favor.

It’s shady as hell.

Edit to correct timeframe as I misread last payment date.

I’m honestly at a loss and hoping someone has been in a similar situation.
I’m a senior at University with only my last year left before graduation. My mom was approved for a Parent PLUS Loan which she usually takes out for me, but Financial Aid told us I’ve reached my loan limit, so it wasn’t enough to cover everything Bec parent plus loans are smaller this year. We also applied for a Sallie Mae loan with my mom as my co-signer, but they said we would need an additional co-signer, which we don’t have. now left with about 12,000 that I need to cover my remaining housing costs to finish school. I recently started working as a receptionist, and I’ve already applied for emergency housing assistance, but I have no idea if I’ll qualify. Has anyone been in this situation? Were you able to find another way to pay for your last year? Are there any grants, appeals, lenders, or resources I should look into? Would the school be able to help me out at all being that I’m a senior? I’m honestly terrified because I’m so close to graduating and don’t want to lose everything over one year of housing costs. Any advice would mean a lot. Thank you. Commuting isn’t an option and we aren’t able to do the 12,000 by the end of August. Pls help Bec I’m so anxious 🫠

Hello! I’m a first generation college student so my parents and I are new to everything college.

Is it possible to get a loan to cover housing only? I have parent who will pay my tuition but say I’m on my own for housing. By the time I graduat, I will have roughly 11,000 saved up for housing but I’m not sure it will entirely cover. I’d use my loan to pay for housing then make an 11,000 payment.

Ok so right now I'm still in forbearance under the SAVE plan and I know the 90 day window has started to change plans. I'm assuming if I just wait then it will automatically move me to this new tiered standard plan. And right now my balance is $50,500. So that would put me in the 20 year plan right? Would I be better off making sure I'm under $50,000 so it puts me in the 15 year tier? I guess ultimately I can always pay it off faster if I want, just wondering if anyone knows if there's a set date where they "lock in" the tier each person is placed into.

So I’m in my last year of school after several years off. I have a job working for the state when I graduate that is eligible for PSLF. I was previously enrolled in SAVE but of course that ended and my payments are currently deferred since I’m in school. Once it’s time to start paying what is my best option? I want the payment to be a low as possible obviously, and want to make sure they all count towards PSLF which will be 10 years of payments. My total loan balance will be about $58k and I’m scared my monthly payment will be crazy.

Hey everyone, I am a recent graduate with $318k in student loan debt and my average interest rate is 7.8%. I am currently on the IBR plan and just started paying last month. I am considering switching to the RAP plan instead to reduce the interest growth. However, my long term plan is to go for the forgiveness route. I was curious what other people are doing in similar situations. Also is the forgiveness actually happening for people after the 20 year period. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi :')

I'm a 21-year-old Medical Laboratory Science student, currently in my last year (woohoo!). I honestly never thought I'd be making a post like this, but here we are lol.

I've been thinking about taking out a loan to pay for my tuition (it's around $800 USD) and I have absolutely no idea if that's a smart decision or if I'm just desperate at this point.

A little background: I moved away from home for school, so aside from tuition, I also have rent and bills to worry about. I'm lucky enough to have a government scholarship, but the stipend is always delayed, and when it finally arrives it basically just goes straight to my rent and utilities.

My family's financial situation also changed a lot over the last couple of years. We used to be able to pay my tuition without too much trouble, but now we're struggling just to keep up with installment payments. My mom is a teacher and she's pretty much the only stable source of income right now, so I really don't want to keep asking my parents for money when I know they're already stretched thin.

People always suggest getting a part-time job, and trust me, I would if I could. 😭 The problem is I'm doing clinical rotations for about 32 hours a week, plus classes, assignments, and studying. By the time I get home I'm usually exhausted. I know some people somehow balance work and school, but I honestly don't know how.

I've also applied for a couple of other scholarships/financial aid programs, but they're still being processed, so there's no guarantee I'll get them in time.

I'm just... stuck.

Part of me thinks taking out a loan is the only realistic option because I'm literally so close to graduating, and I'd hate for money to be the reason I don't finish. But the other part of me is scared of getting into debt, especially since I know nothing about loans or personal finance.

If you were in my position, would you borrow the money? Or is there something else you'd try first?

I'd also love to hear from anyone who got through college while dealing with something similar. And if you know any flexible side hustles that actually work with a busy student schedule, pleaaase tell me.

Thanks for reading my mini life crisis 😭

Would appreciate any experience/help/advice anyone has for my situation.

Yesterday morning I paid off my Nelnet loans in full on their website. I followed their instructions after talking to an agent and paid with a checking account on a non weekend/holiday weekday and before 4pm eastern time. After paying I have received no confirmation email or message in my Nelnet inbox and there is no record of payment activity on my account even though the payment went through and I saw a confirmation page.

I talked to a Nelnet agent this morning and they said there was no pending payment or record on their end and to check with the bank. I checked with the bank and they said they had no record either of money being taken out of the account. They said to wait a day to see if Nelnet requests payment in the meantime but I'm worried that if the agent I talked to is saying there is nothing on Nelnet's end that waiting will do nothing.

Does anyone have experience with this? If anyone on here has worked with a financial aid provider do payments just vanish like that? Obviously I want to get this debt settled before more interest accrues but I don't want to make a double payment. Thank you for any help!

I received my letter from Mohela today about needing to switch to a new repayment plan within 90 days. I fully intend to wait until almost the last moment before doing anything. Last Monday, the 13th, I submitted my application for Borrower Defense and requested forbearance while I await a decision. My question is, do I still need to pick a repayment plan if I am in forbearance?

Hello,

I recently qualified for my Federal student loans to be discharged. I know some have had luck getting their private student loans discharged due to their borrowers defense case being approved, even though borrowers defense is only for federal student loans. I wanted to see if anyone has been successful in getting their private student loans discharged through FirstMark Services? Originally my loan was through Wells Fargo, but then were bought out by Firstmark services. Any input is appreciated!! TYIA!!

Hello. I need to rant. I cry almost everyday because this shit is so frustrating, then I remember this is exactly what the republican administration wants. Us to fail. I recently have been admitted to a graduate program. Started summer classes so I could qualify for the program before the (big beautiful bill) BBB. Unfortunately I had loans that needed to be consolidated. I went through all the necessary steps called student aid EVERY DAY FOR WEEKS up till the July 1 date. Sent my application for a repayment plan. 5 days before July 1. Mind you this stupid ass company only take fax, as the “fastest method” like wtf in my opinion to slow down the process. They said the application been cancelled due to the BBB even tho I made it prior to that date. AND NO ONE felt the need to tell me that the 15 times I called before, just letting me waste my time. Now because they were slow to consolidate my loans I have limited funds for my graduate degree and will probably have to take out private loans. MIND YOUUUU the lady in the phone said I would qualify for the previous loan plan and unlimited student aid because I put in my application before July 1. Now they said I have to wait for a new repayment plan application that hasn’t been completed by the government yet. And said to keep a close eye on the fasfa website. This is all bull shit. I’m truly sick and tired of the this trash administration. I just want to work and make money like everyone else but being 25 in the apocalypse is HELL. TRULY HELL. Fascism at its finest