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Student Loans
IMPORTANT NOTICE
On July 18, 2024, a federal court issued a stay preventing the Department of Education (ED) from operating the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. As a result, SAVE plan borrowers are being placed in administrative forbearance. If you are enrolled in the SAVE plan, you will not need to make loan payments and your loans will not accrue interest during this time. Loan servicers and/or ED will contact borrowers with more information. Additional updates will be posted at https://www.ed.gov/save or StudentAid.gov.
Student Loans
Student Debt Relief and Loan Forgiveness
The federal student loan payment pause ended because of legislation passed by Congress. For most borrowers, the first payment after the payment pause ended was due in October 2023. See more information on how to resume payments on your student loan. Borrowers can lower their payments, even to $0, by enrolling in the new SAVE Plan.
If you are a federal student loan holder in default, Fresh Start can help. Run by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Fresh Start allows borrowers to get out of default and to keep automatic benefits, such as access to federal student aid, long-term. The Fresh Start opportunity ends in September. Borrowers must apply for a Fresh Start by September 30, 2024 to be eligible.
If you have ever worked for a government or 501c3 organization, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs. Depending on your profession, you may also qualify for state repayment assistance programs. Please review Important Notice for Employees with Student Loan Debt to see if you may be eligible for programs and how to apply.
- Learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
- Learn more about other federal student loan cancellation programs.
- Learn more about State loan cancellation programs.
Were you a Berkeley College student prior to January 1, 2019 and owed tuition or fees to Berkeley? Learn about DCWP's settlement with Berkeley including $20 million in debt relief.
How to Avoid Student Loan Debt Distress
Read tips before enrolling in a school or training program
Read tips before taking out student loans for yourself or a child
Read tips once you have student loans
Advocacy Work to Help Student Loan Borrowers
Additional Help
Make a plan to manage your debt. Get free in-person help
Learn about other resources for student loans