SAVE is ending

Your student loan deadline is real.
Here's exactly what to do.

Servicers began mailing SAVE termination notices on July 1, 2026. Each one starts a 90-day clock. Answer eight questions and see what every plan costs you, what happens if you do nothing, and the traps that can quietly cost you your forgiveness credit.

7.5M
borrowers still enrolled in SAVE when the wind-down began
90 days
from the date on your notice to pick a plan
$0 → hundreds
the jump many face if they let auto-enrollment decide
  1. Your loans
  2. Your income
  3. Your deadline
$

Principal you owe today across all federal loans.

%

If you have several loans, a rough weighted average is fine.

Loan type decides which plans you can legally enter. Check StudentAid.gov if you're unsure.

Want to see it filled in first? See a teacher chasing PSLF or a nurse with $120k.

Questions people actually ask

+What happens if I just ignore the notice?

You get placed on a plan automatically — Standard if all your loans predate July 1, 2026, or Tiered Standard if you have a newer loan or consolidated after that date. Both are fixed payments that ignore your income entirely. If you are working toward PSLF, time spent in Tiered Standard earns no credit at all.

+Is RAP always the right answer?

No. RAP charges a percentage of your full AGI rather than your discretionary income, so lower earners can pay more on RAP than on IBR. RAP does waive unpaid interest and guarantees $50 a month of principal reduction, which makes it strong for large balances. It depends on your numbers, which is what this tool works out.

+Why does consolidating matter so much?

Consolidating on or after July 1, 2026 permanently removes IBR from your options and leaves you with only RAP or Tiered Standard. If IBR is currently your cheapest path, consolidating first can cost you tens of thousands. Compare before you file the application, not after.

+Is forgiveness taxed?

PSLF forgiveness remains tax-free. The American Rescue Plan Act exclusion that made other income-driven forgiveness tax-free expired on December 31, 2025, so a balance forgiven through RAP or IBR now counts as ordinary federal income in the year it is forgiven. This tool estimates that tax and includes it in total cost.

+Do you store my information?

The comparison runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you choose to save a scenario or set a deadline reminder.

Straight answers