The SAVE plan’s payment forbearance is supposed to stick around through 2028, but that’s looking unlikely. Here’s why we think the clock’s ticking on SAVE, what the latest lawsuit could mean for the plan’s future, and how new legislation is tightening the rules on forbearance across the board. You’ll find out what this shift means if you’re currently on SAVE, what counts (and what doesn’t) during this forbearance period, and what you need to know now to help you avoid surprises later. It’s a confusing time for borrowers, but this episode gives you a clearer path forward.

Key moments:

(04:54) Why almost nobody should stay in SAVE forbearance after August 1st
(10:08) Don’t panic about the “Big Beautiful Bill” changes — it isn’t great, but it’s not a total disaster either
(12:33) Parent PLUS borrowers may lose access to affordable repayment options after July 2026
(15:35) Why tax-smart income strategies matter more than ever

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Student loan lawyer Stanley Tate joins us to tackle the big question we’re all asking: what’s actually happening with student loans right now? We’re exploring the latest legislative changes, what they mean for your repayment strategy, and why Parent PLUS borrowers are especially freaking out. We talk through everything from the COVID payment chaos we all lived through to the potential collapse of graduate programs and the emotional toll of student debt policy.

What you’ll walk away with is information you can use, not just more anxiety. Whether you’re strategizing payments or just trying to stay sane, this episode helps you navigate what’s coming next.

Key moments:

(04:52) Future borrowers will see hard caps on how much they can borrow
(09:11) Parent PLUS borrowers must get on an income-driven repayment plan by July 2026
(13:55) Should SAVE borrowers hold on or switch? We share our strategies
(25:47) Resources to manage student debt exist, but you have to choose action over ignoring the problem
(31:47) Our predictions for what happens to graduate programs moving forward
(39:20) Student loans aren't a "set it and forget it" type of debt

Resources mentioned:
Connect with Stanley Tate

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
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Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?

• Try our free student loan calculator
• Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated
• Book your custom student loan plan
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!

If you’ve been riding the SAVE Plan forbearance wave, a big shift is headed your way. The Department of Education announced that the SAVE forbearance will officially end on August 1, 2025. That means interest starts ticking again, and borrowers will be pushed to switch repayment plans. Most will be steered toward the old Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, especially with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act set to overhaul everything in July 2026. But you’ve still got options.

Find out what the end of SAVE forbearance means for your loans, what the government is recommending (and why), and how you can make the smartest move for your student loans.

Key moments:

(04:01) Choosing between IBR and RAP depends on PSLF status, years in repayment, and forgiveness goals
(07:46) PSLF isn’t dead: why potential policy reversals don’t mean your forgiveness plan is doomed
(09:41) When paying off your loans might actually make more sense (and how to get a lower interest rate)
(14:50) After years of chaos, borrowers just want stable rules so they can actually plan their lives

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?

• Try our free student loan calculator
• Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated
• Book your custom student loan plan
• Get profession-specific financial planning

Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!