Trump Wins: What Does That Mean for Student Loan Forgiveness?

• Your granted forgiveness is likely safe, but future forgiveness programs may face restrictions or tighter eligibility requirements.

• There’s no need to make immediate changes to your student loan plans—watch for updates as the new administration takes office.

• Expect potential slowdowns or shifts in forgiveness options, as the Department of Education’s priorities may change under Trump’s leadership.

With former President Donald Trump winning the presidential election, borrowers across the country are asking one pressing question: What will happen to student loan forgiveness programs?

Programs like the one-time account adjustment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and the SAVE Plan have offered hope for debt relief, but Trump’s policies could bring substantial changes.

In this article, we’ll tackle the key questions borrowers are asking, starting with the immediate impact on existing forgiveness programs. Let’s dive into the specifics, beginning with the question on many borrowers’ minds:

Answer: At this point, we don’t know if Trump’s administration will cancel the one-time account adjustment. No official decision has been made, and since this adjustment was implemented under current Department of Education guidelines, there’s no immediate indication that it’s at risk.

I’ve been in contact with the Department of Education and other advocates, who have confirmed that this adjustment has already been applied for some borrowers, though it’s not visible publicly yet.

The department ensures the data is fully accurate before making it accessible, preventing unnecessary confusion.

What This Means for Borrowers

Trump’s campaign has hinted at policy shifts that could impact borrowers and future students significantly. While his platform hasn’t provided a detailed plan for existing forgiveness programs, his previous administration focused on cutting or restricting relief efforts.

The president-elect has also stated he intends to reduce or even eliminate the Department of Education, a move that would affect everything from college affordability initiatives to income-driven repayment plans for current borrowers.

Additionally, a roadmap known as Project 2025, supported by close allies, outlines several measures that would scale back federal involvement in student debt relief and eliminate Pell Grants.

Even though Trump has distanced himself from certain aspects of the project, his administration could still adopt key pieces that make repayment more challenging for borrowers.

Should You Change Plans Now?

Right now, there’s no need to make changes. While it’s tempting to adjust repayment plans or take other action, these decisions can impact both your progress and monthly affordability as you wait for updates.

The best approach for now is to stay informed and watch for official announcements, knowing that current adjustments are on track to be applied.

As of now, it’s uncertain how Trump’s administration will handle ongoing student loan litigation.

Many of these lawsuits were filed by states, not by Trump’s previous administration. Although some officials involved may share Trump’s political affiliation, these lawsuits primarily focus on state concerns over taxpayer spending and whether large-scale forgiveness programs are the best use of those funds.

This focus on state fiscal responsibility makes the lawsuits less about who is in office and more about economic priorities.

That said, with a Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, there may be less support for guidance that prioritizes or defends broad forgiveness efforts.

If the Department of Education, under new leadership, decides not to push as hard in defense of these programs, it could weaken the federal stance in ongoing litigation.

The current SAVE Plan and other large-scale relief measures might lack legislative backing if Congress doesn’t pass laws to protect or reinstate them, creating a larger uncertainty for borrowers.

Additionally, “Plan B” forgiveness programs—alternative initiatives proposed by President Joe Biden in cases of hardship or runaway interest—are unlikely to survive under Trump, but this may not be entirely due to the new administration.

Even if Vice President Kamala Harris had won, for instance, the political motivation to maintain these large forgiveness initiatives would likely wane, given the cost.

Student loan borrowers represent a small segment of the overall population, and without broad public pressure, there may not be the political will to continue such big-ticket relief initiatives moving forward.

Could Loan Forgiveness Be Reversed if You’ve Already Received It?

For those who have already received forgiveness, the risk of having it reversed is as close to impossible as one can get. Once forgiveness is granted, “unringing the bell” would be an exceptionally complex and unlikely move.

My larger concern is around future forgiveness initiatives and eligibility requirements.

We’re more likely to see restrictions on who can qualify moving forward or tighter controls on new forgiveness programs, which could limit relief for borrowers who haven’t yet received it.

Trump will almost certainly appoint new leadership for the Department of Education, but that’s not unique to his administration—it’s common practice for any new administration to appoint members who align with its priorities.

That said, in Trump’s last term, he appointed Betsy DeVos, who actively worked to reduce and even dismantle certain forgiveness pathways, most notably the Borrower Defense to Repayment Program. There’s a strong possibility that Trump’s appointees this time could also make it challenging to access forgiveness.

But remember this: some forgiveness programs, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), are established by law, so any changes would require an act of Congress.

Income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness, on the other hand, is based on regulatory rules and could be altered through processes like negotiated rulemaking, which includes opportunities for public comment.

So while new leadership may work to slow or restrict forgiveness access, the fundamental structure of programs like PSLF would remain intact unless Congress intervenes.

The hardship and runaway interest relief initiatives proposed by the Biden administration were designed to provide targeted assistance to borrowers facing significant financial challenges. But the political landscape has shifted, and the likelihood of these programs continuing under the new administration is minimal.

The Biden administration released final rules for these forgiveness options in the last few months of Biden’s term. These initiatives faced significant hurdles in becoming law, even if Biden had remained in office.

With the transition to a Trump administration, the political motivation to implement these forgiveness measures has diminished. The substantial cost associated with these programs and their limited appeal in public opinion polls contribute to the decreased likelihood of their continuation.

This situation reflects a broader trend where other political priorities have taken precedence over providing relief to Americans burdened by student loan debt. As a result, borrowers who were hopeful for assistance through these specific programs may need to explore alternative options for managing their student loans.

Right now, there’s no specific action to take. The one-time account adjustment will continue as the Department of Education processes it, and the SAVE Plan litigation will unfold on its own timeline.

It’s simply too early to determine a clear path forward in this new landscape, especially since Trump hasn’t yet taken office.

The reality is that the anxiety many borrowers feel stems from being on the brink of relief—just waiting for paperwork to be processed and promises to be fulfilled.

Now, with the uncertainty of a new administration, there’s a valid fear that relief may slip out of reach. But for the moment, there’s little borrowers can do to alter the process or expedite results.

If you’re compelled to take action, you could submit complaints or contact lawmakers, but it’s unclear if those steps will make a difference in the timing or outcomes. This student loan overhaul was ambitious, and implementing these forgiveness measures takes time.

Unfortunately, many borrowers are stuck in this waiting period, caught between promised relief and the procedural reality that these changes are slow to manifest.

For now, the best approach is to stay informed and keep an eye on updates from the Department of Education. Until we have more clarity, pulling levers or making adjustments may not speed up the relief you’ve been promised. We’ll simply have to wait for the process to unfold.

Now that Trump is preparing to return to the White House, the next four years promise a stark shift from the policies seen under the Biden-Harris administration. Through a mix of political will and circumstances surrounding the pandemic, the Biden administration achieved more federal student loan forgiveness and debt cancellation than all previous U.S. presidents combined. But as the election results make clear, America has voted for change.

Moving forward, borrowers are entering an era of unknowns. Trump’s administration and a GOP-led Congress may prioritize different issues, and whether relief programs like the SAVE Plan, one-time account adjustments, or interest relief continue is now uncertain.

It’s a reminder of the persistent challenges student loan borrowers face in America—a landscape where taking out loans for a valuable education can quickly lead to decades of financial strain due to mounting interest, unforgiving repayment terms, and a complex system that penalizes those who face life’s inevitable setbacks.

For recent college grads and borrowers from all walks of life, the pressure of high monthly payments can make personal finance an uphill battle. Federal relief may come and go, but if you need help navigating these changes and understanding your options, we’re here to support you.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated, or book a consultation with one of our student loan experts, who can guide you through this evolving landscape.

Related reading:

• When Will the One-Time Account Adjustment Happen?

• How to Apply For Student Loan Forgiveness

• Student Loan Forgiveness Applications and Forms