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Student Loan Help
IMPORTANT: The SAVE Plan is no longer available. Starting July 1, 2026, borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan will begin to receive notifications from their student loan servicer and will be given 90 days to determine which plan is most affordable for them and switch to a different repayment plan. Borrowers who do not enroll within this 90-day window will be automatically placed into the Standard Plan or the new Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, which generally have higher payments than income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. Learn more about Key Changes in Federal Student Loan Repayment.
Student Debt Relief That’s Not a Scam
The City of New York offers free, confidential, personalized guidance to lower student loan payments.
No strings attached. No surprise charges later. We keep your information safe and will never sell it.
In Person or By Phone
Through our NYC Financial Empowerment Centers, you can work with a financial counselor to manage your student loans along with your other expenses and debts.
To be eligible, you must be at least 18 and live or work in NYC. Income and immigration status do not matter.
Click the button below or call 311 to book your Financial Empowerment Center appointment.
Beware of Student Loan Scams
You NEVER have to pay for free federal and state programs, including loan forgiveness. If you are a victim of a scam, file a complaint online.
More Student Loan Help
Important Information Regarding the 2026-2027 FAFSA
The 2026-2027 FAFSA form opened on October 1, 2025, with new rules requiring students to complete identity verification to qualify for financial aid. This applies to first-time title IV applicants, immigrant students and those flagged for additional review. The new process aims to improve security and speed up access to financial aid. More updates can be found on the student aid FAFSA support website.
Important Information Regarding SAVE Plan
In March 2026, a federal court order ended the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The U.S. Department of Education has begun sending notices to borrowers indicating that they must switch to a new repayment plan. Starting July 1, 2026, federal loan servicers will begin issuing 90-day notices to borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE Plan, instructing them to enter an available repayment plan. Borrowers must enroll in another income-driven repayment (IDR) plan to remain eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). For more updates, visit studentaid.gov.
Read Commissioner Levine's op-ed in City Limits on how DCWP can help borrowers for free.
Learn How to Avoid Student Loan Distress
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
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.
Advocacy Work to Help Student Loan Borrowers