Appearing in The New York Times on Jan. 2, 2026, Ann Carrns talks to Abby Shafroth, managing director of advocacy at NCLC about how millions of borrowers who are behind can expect the government to tighten repayment options this year. Any why experts say take action now to get help.
What’s more, an additional seven million or so borrowers in the doomed SAVE plan will probably be required to choose a new plan and start repaying sooner than many expected. Payments for SAVE borrowers have been paused for more than a year because of litigation, and borrowers may struggle to readjust to making payments, said Abby Shafroth, managing director of advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center. “They’ll be at risk.
SAVE borrowers who are pursuing loan forgiveness through an income-driven repayment plan, and who have made 25 years (300 months) of qualifying payments, should consider asking to switch to I.B.R. or I.C.R., because they will now be eligible to have their loans canceled in those plans, the National Consumer Law Center advised.
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