I got a SAVE notice. What do I actually do?

Last verified August 11, 2026 · sources and methodology

Your notice started a 90-day clock to select a new repayment plan. Confirm the date on your own letter, pull your loan detail from StudentAid.gov, compare the plans you are actually eligible for, certify PSLF employment if that applies to you, then file the application with time to spare — processing takes weeks.

Step one: find your real deadline

The 90 days run from the date printed on your notice, not from a date that applies to everyone. Servicers began mailing around July 1, 2026, so most deadlines land in late September or October — but yours is yours.

Step two: find out what you actually hold

Pull "My Aid" from StudentAid.gov and check loan types, disbursement dates and balances. Eligibility turns entirely on these fields — whether a loan is Direct or FFEL, whether you first borrowed before July 2014, whether anything was disbursed on or after July 1, 2026.

Guessing here produces a confident answer to the wrong question.

Step three: decide before you consolidate

If you are thinking about consolidating, do it after the comparison, not before. Consolidating on or after July 1, 2026 permanently removes IBR from your options.

Step four: file early, then verify it posted

The income-driven repayment application takes weeks to process. Filing near your deadline can leave you in limbo even though you did everything right.

After filing, go back and confirm your servicer shows the new plan. A submitted application is not the same as being enrolled.

Common follow-ups

What if I never received a notice?

If you were enrolled in SAVE, contact your servicer rather than waiting. Notices go astray, and the clock is not generous.

Can I just stay on SAVE?

No. SAVE is being wound down. Staying put is the same as choosing whatever your servicer assigns you.