# SAVE borrowers face a September 29 repayment deadline

> About 6 million SAVE borrowers still need to choose a new student loan repayment plan before deadlines begin hitting.
- Title: SAVE borrowers face a September 29 repayment deadline
- Summary: About 6 million SAVE borrowers still need to choose a new student loan repayment plan before deadlines begin hitting. Former SAVE borrowers should compare…
- Keywords: save plan, student loans, department of education, september 29 deadline, repayment plans, standard repayment, income-driven repayment, public service loan forgiveness, trump administration, biden administration, loan servicers, billing errors
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/key-student-loan-deadline-is-approaching-for-6-million-borrowers-12447038
- Published: 2026-09-15T21:29:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: save plan, student loans, department of education, september 29 deadline, repayment plans, standard repayment, income-driven repayment, public service loan forgiveness, trump administration, biden administration, loan servicers, billing errors
## Six million still waiting
Roughly 1.5 million former SAVE borrowers have picked a new repayment plan. About 6 million others still need to switch as the first deadline arrives September 29.
## Payments are coming back
The change is not just the end of SAVE. Many borrowers are being pushed back into monthly bills under plans that may look very different from what they paid before.

> The biggest alteration is not simply the end of one repayment plan, but the return of actual monthly payments
## SAVE is ending
SAVE lowered payments for many borrowers by using income and family size, with paths to forgiveness and limits on unpaid interest. The Trump administration ended it after court fights.
## The clock started July 1
Loan servicers began sending notices on July 1. Each borrower gets 90 days to choose a new plan, with the first group reaching that deadline on September 29.
## Doing nothing can cost
Borrowers who miss their deadline can be moved into a Standard or Tiered Standard plan. Those options may bring higher monthly bills and slow progress toward forgiveness.

> Borrowers who do not choose a new plan will be automatically moved into a new repayment plan
## Forgiveness credit matters
Some borrowers have switched early so payments can count toward income-driven repayment forgiveness or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Others appear to be waiting for official notices.
## Errors added confusion
Some borrowers reported wrong bills or notices saying they were delinquent or near default. The Education Department said it resolved the issues, but borrowers still face a messy transition.

> expect continued uncertainty and stress
## Key takeaway

Former SAVE borrowers should compare repayment options before their 90-day deadline, or they may be moved into a costlier plan automatically.