Federal student-loan changes take effect July 1
New federal student-loan repayment options, borrowing limits and an automatic-payment interest reduction began taking effect July 1, 2026.
Student Loans
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GAO: Education Has Addressed One of 10 Priority Recommendations
The Government Accountability Office says the Education Department implemented only one of eight priority recommendations identified in 2025, while three more concerns were added in June 2026.
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Education rule sets Aug. 31 reporting date as colleges face new earnings-based loan limits
A new Education Department rule will measure college programs against graduate-earnings benchmarks and can restrict federal Direct Loan access after repeated failures.
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Federal student-loan borrowers can receive a 1% interest-rate reduction through autopay beginning July 1
Federal student-loan borrowers who enroll in autopay by Sept. 30, 2026, or were already enrolled, can receive a 1% interest-rate reduction through June 30, 2028.
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Federal student-loan borrowers can get a temporary 1% autopay rate cut starting July 1
Eligible federal student-loan borrowers enrolled in automatic payments can receive a temporary 1% interest-rate reduction beginning July 1, 2026. The enrollment deadline is Sept. 30.
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Federal data show rising credit stress among households struggling to get by
A Federal Reserve survey and updated CFPB credit dashboards show higher credit-card balances, payment difficulty and affordability pressures across U.S. households.
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New federal student-loan repayment plans and borrowing limits take effect nationwide
Federal student-loan borrowers and prospective students face new repayment choices, revised borrowing limits and a new pathway for short-term workforce programs to qualify for Pell grants.
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New federal student-loan plans and Workforce Pell take effect nationwide
New repayment options for federal student-loan borrowers and a pathway for short-term workforce programs to seek Pell Grant eligibility began July 1, 2026.
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New federal student-loan repayment plans take effect as borrowers leave SAVE
The Repayment Assistance Plan and Tiered Standard Plan are now available, while more than 7.5 million former SAVE borrowers must move to another legal repayment option.
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CFPB credit-card dashboard shows 8.6 million new cards and 15.6% annual growth
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has updated its national Consumer Credit Trends dashboards with data on credit originations, inquiries and borrower risk across four major lending markets.
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Federal student aid is shifting toward Treasury. What borrowers should know
A three-phase Education-Treasury agreement targets defaulted-loan collections first, while staffing cuts and new repayment rules raise accountability questions.
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Graduate loan caps are in effect. Colleges now decide what students pay
Federal graduate-loan caps took effect July 1, while colleges weigh lower limits, institutional aid and private credit to cover remaining education costs.
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What the end of SAVE means for millions of student loan borrowers
SAVE borrowers are receiving notices to choose new repayment plans. Here are the deadlines, options and steps to avoid missed payments or automatic placement.
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New federal student-loan limits take effect for 2026-27
New federal rules now limit some graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing, end new Grad PLUS loans and create new repayment options for affected borrowers.
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Student-loan defaults surged as borrowers face new repayment rules
Federal data show about 9 million borrowers in default, while AP finds roughly 9.5 million. New plans offer options, but default risks remain.
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Nevada has one of the nation’s highest student-loan default rates. About 93,000 borrowers are more than 360 days behind
About 93,000 people living in Nevada are more than 360 days delinquent on federal student loans, owing more than $2 billion. Here is what default can mean and which federal options may help.
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House Panel Advances 10 Bills to Shift Education Programs to Other Agencies
A House committee advanced 10 bills that could move selected education programs to Labor, Treasury and HHS, but the proposals have not changed federal law.
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New Federal Loan Limits Are Now in Effect for Graduate Students and Parents
Federal loan limits changed July 1 for graduate students, professional programs and Parent PLUS borrowers. Some continuing students may keep older rules.
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Student loan defaults are rising after pandemic protections ended—what “default” means
AP reports a surge of federal student-loan borrowers entering default after pandemic protections ended. Here’s what “default” means for budgets.
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SAVE plan exit starts July 1: avoid default risk and confirm your next payment
If you were in the unlawful SAVE plan, servicers start July 1 notices—then you have 90 days to change plans and avoid 90+ day delinquency reporting.
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ED seeks comments on proposed IDR form changes (RAP option; due Aug. 7, 2026)
United States Education and Civil Rights Policy – ED/FSA seeks public comment on a proposed IDR Plan Request form update, due Aug. 7, 2026.
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Student loan repayment changes take effect July 1, 2026: What borrowers need to know now
New federal student-loan repayment options begin July 1, 2026. Here’s what to check on StudentAid.gov before your first payment updates.