When Is Forbearance Over? It Depends

• Forbearance tied to the SAVE plan is still in effect due to ongoing legal challenges, with no clear end date.

• Paused payments don’t count toward forgiveness under PSLF or IDR, so it’s important to keep track of timelines.

• Prepare for repayment by estimating your monthly payment, choosing the right repayment plan, and recertifying your income if needed.

If you’re asking when forbearance is over, you’re likely dealing with one of two things: student loans or a mortgage. Let’s cut to the chase—this article focuses on student loan forbearance.

Sure, mortgage forbearance pops up a lot when you search for this topic, but those pauses work differently. For mortgages, you work with your lender to adjust payments and avoid foreclosure.

With student loans, it’s about figuring out when your payments restart after the SAVE Plan litigation ends, what they’ll look like, and how to stay on track for forgiveness programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness.

We’ll break down what you need to know about the timelines, repayment options, and how to prepare for the end of your student loan forbearance.

For student loan borrowers, a forbearance program temporarily pauses payments—whether due to financial difficulty or, in this case, ongoing SAVE plan litigation. If you’re in forbearance now, the key question is: when will it end?

Currently, the SAVE Plan forbearance will last until the court cases are finished. Unfortunately, there’s no clear timeline for when this will happen. Here’s where things stand:

• If you’re in SAVE plan forbearance, your payments are paused, but these months won’t count toward forgiveness under IDR or PSLF programs.

• What to watch for: Updates from the Department of Education on the legal process and payment restart dates.

When your forbearance period ends depends on your specific situation. If you want to stay in SAVE plan litigation forbearance—whether you’re already enrolled or waiting for an Income-Driven Repayment application to be processed—it could take weeks before payments resume. Keep in mind that IDR application processing only resumed on Monday, January 13, so delays are likely if you’ve recently applied.

Related: What is Student Loan Forbearance?

If you’re feeling lost in all the twists and turns of student loan forbearance, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down:

1. The COVID Payment Pause: Back in March 2020, the government declared the Coronavirus a national emergency and hit a pause on federal student loan payments and some mortgage payments under the CARES Act.

2. Forbearance Extensions: What started as a short-term measure got extended multiple times by both President Trump and President Biden, often at the last minute. For over three years, borrowers didn’t have to make federal loan payments or worry about interest accrual.

3. The On-Ramp Forbearance: In October 2023, as payments restarted, a 12-month “on-ramp” period was introduced. If you missed payments during this time, they wouldn’t count against you—no default, no credit score damage—but interest still accrued.

4. SAVE Plan Litigation Forbearance: Then came the SAVE plan and its related legal battles, putting some borrowers back into forbearance while the courts sorted things out.

Fast forward to now, and many borrowers—whether they’ve had loans for years or just graduated during the pandemic—are facing payments for the first time in a long time or ever.

If you’re staring at the end of your forbearance period and wondering what to do next, start by figuring out what your new monthly payment will look like.

The easiest way to estimate your payment is with our Income-Driven Repayment Calculator. You’ll only need your latest tax return if you’ve filed it in the last two years. If your income has changed—or if you haven’t filed—use a recent pay stub, a Social Security statement, or whatever proof of income you have.

Once you know your payment amount, it’s time to decide which repayment plan works for you. Most borrowers end up choosing between these options:

• IBR (Income-Based Repayment)

• PAYE (Pay As You Earn)

• ICR (Income-Contingent Repayment)

Related: Can’t Pay Your Loans? Consider Forbearance or Deferment

Each plan has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your financial situation, loan balance, and whether you qualify for a partial financial hardship. If you’re feeling stuck, check out our guide on choosing the right repayment plan or connect with one of our student loan experts for personalized advice.

When you’re ready, applying is simple. You can do it online at StudentAid.gov or through a paper application your servicer can upload for you.

Need more support? Here are some additional resources that can help:

• The Federal Student Aid Information Center or your loan servicer for quick questions.

• Online communities like the Reddit Student Loans subreddit or Facebook groups for peer support.

• Nonprofits like TISLA (The Institute of Student Loan Advisors) offer free guidance.

Oh, and about missing payments—don’t. Interest adds up for most forbearance options, and you could lose progress toward forgiveness. If things feel overwhelming, reach out to your servicer or one of the resources above before you miss a due date.

Related: Student Loan Repayment FAQs: What Borrowers Should Know

Once you’ve picked a repayment plan and started making payments, it’s time to think about the bigger picture: how you want to handle your student loans long-term.

For many borrowers, the goal is loan forgiveness through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness. If that’s your plan, staying enrolled in the right repayment plan and consistently making qualifying payments is key.

But what if forgiveness isn’t an option, or you’re looking for other ways to save money? That’s where refinancing comes in.

Related: Does Forbearance Count Towards PSLF? Yes, Here’s How

Should You Refinance Your Student Loans?

Refinancing can lower your interest rate and save you money over time, but it’s not always the best move—especially for federal loans. Here’s why:

• You Lose Federal Protections: Refinancing with a private lender means no more access to income-driven plans, forgiveness programs, or federal forbearance.

• It Works Best for Private Loans: Refinancing makes sense if you already have private loans with high interest rates and strong credit.

• Consider Your Goals: If you want to pay off your loans fast and don’t need federal benefits, refinancing could lower your interest.

If you’re unsure whether refinancing is the right move, talk to a financial expert or use our guide to learn more about the pros and cons.

Related: How to Refinance Student Loans

Forbearance can feel confusing, but understanding when it ends and how to prepare is key to staying on track. Whether you’re navigating the SAVE plan or looking to win forbearance challenges, knowing your repayment options and planning ahead can make all the difference. If you’re unsure about your next steps, don’t go it alone.

Book a call with one of our student loan experts today to get personalized help with choosing a repayment plan that fits your needs before forbearance ends.

Related Reading:

• Why Is My Student Loan In Administrative Forbearance?

• MOHELA: Why Are My Student Loans in Forbearance?

• How Many Forbearances Are Allowed for Student Loans?

• What is Forbearance Steering?