As 2025 comes to a close, the federal student loan landscape is entering one of its most consequential transitions since repayment resumed. The formal wind-down of the SAVE repayment plan, combined with rising delinquency and a major expansion of Income-Based Repayment (IBR), has put millions of borrowers at a crossroads. This moment isn’t just about policy changes, it’s about whether borrowers can adapt in time to avoid unnecessary financial harm. Millions Will Need a New
