SAVE no longer exists. After years of litigation, the plan ended in court in March 2026 and the Education Department stopped enrolling borrowers. Former SAVE borrowers must choose another plan — RAP, IBR or a standard plan — within 90 days of their servicer’s notice. If you don’t choose, the servicer moves you to a plan it selects, which may have a much higher payment.
SAVE plan timeline
Dates per BestColleges (updated June 2026) and Tate Law (updated October 2026). Exact dates in your notice may differ — the 90 days run from the date your servicer contacts you.
Your options after SAVE
- RAP — 1%–10% of AGI, $10 minimum, interest waived, forgiveness after 30 years. Counts for PSLF.
- IBR — 10% of income above 150% of the poverty line (15% for pre-2014 loans), capped at the standard payment, forgiveness after 20/25 years. Available if all your loans predate July 1, 2026.
- Standard plan — fixed payments with no forgiveness. Good if your income is high relative to your balance.
- PAYE or ICR — closing; both end by July 1, 2028, so few borrowers should choose them now.
Reports differ on the default: BestColleges says borrowers who miss the deadline go to the Tiered Standard plan or another plan the servicer specifies; Tate Law says borrowers with only pre-July-2026 loans may land on the 10-year Standard plan. Either way, the payment is likely higher than an income-driven option.
SAVE vs RAP vs IBR payments
Single borrower, no dependents. SAVE figures as reported by Saving for College; RAP and IBR calculated with 2026 rules and the 2026 poverty guideline:
| AGI | SAVE (old) | RAP | IBR (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $0 | $42 | $9 |
| $40,000 | $50 | $100 | $134 |
| $90,000 | $467 | $600 | $551 |
Almost everyone pays more than they did under SAVE. Low earners see the biggest jump in percentage terms because SAVE allowed $0 payments up to 225% of the poverty line, while RAP charges at least $10 and IBR shields only 150%.
Budget for the new paymentCheck what your take-home pay looks like with a RAP or IBR payment instead of $0.
Checklist for former SAVE borrowers
- Log in to StudentAid.gov and your servicer account; make sure your email and address are current so you don’t miss the notice.
- Use the official loan simulator to compare RAP and IBR with your latest tax return.
- If you are pursuing PSLF, pick the lowest-payment income-driven plan and look at the PSLF buyback for SAVE forbearance months.
- Consolidating or taking a new loan after July 1, 2026 removes IBR as an option for the new loan — think before you consolidate.
- Set up auto-debit as soon as the first bill arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SAVE plan over?
Yes. SAVE ended in March 2026 after court rulings, and the Education Department no longer enrolls borrowers in it.
How long do SAVE borrowers have to pick a new plan?
90 days from the date their servicer notifies them. Servicers began sending notices around July 1, 2026.
What happens if I don’t choose a plan after SAVE?
Your servicer places you in a plan — reportedly the Tiered Standard or Standard plan — which usually has a higher payment than an income-driven plan.
Is RAP more expensive than SAVE?
For most borrowers, yes. For example, a single borrower with $40,000 AGI paid about $50 a month on SAVE but pays $100 on RAP.
Can former SAVE borrowers choose IBR?
Yes, if all their loans were disbursed before July 1, 2026. IBR no longer requires a partial financial hardship.
Related student loan guides
- RAP explainedPayment chart, $50 match, 30-year forgiveness
- IBR vs RAPWhich income-driven plan is cheaper
- PSLF basics 2026120 payments, tax-free forgiveness
- Tiered Standard plan10, 15, 20 or 25 years by balance
- Is forgiveness taxable?The 2026 IDR tax bomb
- Extended vs graduatedOptions for pre-2026 loans
- Monthly payment on $30,000 in student loansEvery plan, 2026-27 rates
- Monthly payment on $50,000 in student loansEvery plan, 2026-27 rates
- Monthly payment on $80,000 in student loansEvery plan, 2026-27 rates
Payments by balance
Sources & methodology
- BestColleges, “SAVE Plan Ending: What Borrowers Need to Do Next” (updated June 1, 2026); Tate Law, “PSLF Changes in 2026” (updated Oct 29, 2026).
- U.S. Department of Education, “Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Simplifying Student Loan Repayment” (ed.gov, page reviewed June 11, 2026).
- NerdWallet, “What Is the New Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)?” (updated July 30, 2026) — RAP AGI brackets.
- FSA Dear Colleague Letter GEN-25-04, “Federal Student Loan Program Provisions Effective Upon Enactment Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (July 18, 2025).
- U.S. HHS (ASPE), 2026 Poverty Guidelines, 48 contiguous states.
- Saving for College, “How Will Your Student Loan Payment Change With RAP?” (updated July 30, 2026) — SAVE comparison figures.
- Payments use standard amortization with monthly interest. RAP and IBR projections are our simplified models (income +3%/yr, single loan, on-time payments) — your servicer’s figures will differ. Information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules checked 2026-11-03.