The US Department of Education has halted the cancellation of student loans in Income-Based Repayment plans, prompting concern among borrowers that their loans will not be forgiven anytime soon.

The Department of Education is temporarily forgoing student loan forgiveness for borrowers under the Income-Based Repayment plan, also known as IBR. The department issued guidance stating that IBR forgiveness is paused while payment records are being updated.

Many student loan borrowers could see their monthly bills more than double now that the Biden-era Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan is defunct.

Key Points ・Parent PLUS borrowers with loans issued after July 1, 2026 will lose access to income-driven repayment plans. ・Existing Parent PLUS borrowers must consolidate by June 30, 2026 to keep IDR and PSLF access.