The U.S. Department of Education has recently removed critical student loan forgiveness and repayment applications. This move comes amidst growing national concerns over student loan debt and the continued challenges facing struggling borrowers.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) tool, which allows student loan borrowers who work in public service to determine their eligibility for loan forgiveness, is notedly absent from the Department’s website. Similarly, the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) application, which offers repayment options based on the borrower’s income, has been removed.
Despite these removals, the Department of Education has yet to issue an official explanation or note of redirection for users. The lack of communication has resulted in confusion and concern for student loan borrowers who rely on these tools.
The abrupt elimination of these critical applications comes after President Biden’s Administration proposed extending a freeze on federal student loan payments through August 31, 2022. The current outstanding student loan debt is estimated to be $1.7 trillion, affecting nearly 43 million Americans.
Higher education advocates, including The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), have voiced concerns over the absence of these essential tools. In a statement, TICAS vice president Diane Cheng noted, “While changes to the system are necessary, they must be done in a way that does not negatively impact borrowers.”
The move also follows a recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) indicating that student loan servicer errors and information gaps are prolonging borrower’s time in debt.
Despite the Department’s actions, there are existing platforms such as StudentAid.gov where one can find information about managing student loans. However, the specific conditions surrounding loan forgiveness and income-related repayments have become less accessible, causing worry for students nationwide.
Last modified: February 25, 2025
