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A major step toward long-awaited debt relief has arrived for borrowers in long-term income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. A recent agreement in the case of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) v. U.S. Department of Education marks a concrete move toward resuming loan forgiveness for borrowers enrolled in Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), and other qualifying IDR plans. The settlement also includes a key protection: borrowers who qualify for forgivenes

As the holidays approach, many borrowers are feeling the strain of balancing celebration with financial obligation. For millions, student loan payments are part of that burden, whether they’re delinquent, on the SAVE plan, or in default. The key takeaway this season? You’re not alone, and even small, informed steps now can make a big difference before the new year begins. For Borrowers Who Are Delinquent If you’ve missed a few payments and are feeling overwhelmed, the holiday

At Student Debt Solutions (SDS), every borrower begins with one powerful thing: access to a transparent analysis. Whether you choose to move forward independently through Standard Assistance (DIY) or engage with our Expert Assistance team, you’ll always start with clear, data-driven insights into your repayment options because making an informed decision should never come with a paywall.   The DIY approach is perfect for borrowers who want to explore repayment options on thei

Managing student loans can be confusing — but it doesn’t have to be. At Student Debt Solutions (SDS), we help borrowers take the guesswork out of repayment, forgiveness, and financial planning. Our support team answers thousands of questions every month, and we’ve rounded up the ones we hear most often, along with quick answers to help you make the most of your SDS experience. What Does SDS Do? Student Debt Solutions is an online platform that simplifies the complexity of stu

In today’s student loan landscape, the term “help” is being redefined. Tools that Studentaid.gov allow borrowers to see how Income Driven Repayment can reduce their monthly payments. But as counselors and advisors, we know visibility is not the same as understanding. Managing student loan payments goes beyond finding the lowest payment, it is not the full story, and it is not the full solution. At Student Debt Solutions (SDS), we go beyond “good enough.” Our platform was bu

In today’s financial landscape, borrowers are seeking clarity, simplicity, and relief — and partners need fast, credible ways to deliver it. The SDS Savings Tool was designed with exactly that mission in mind: to give every partner a powerful, easy-to-use feature that attracts borrowers, builds trust, and delivers measurable results. A Turnkey Feature That Converts Interest into Action Available directly on the Student Debt Solutions (SDS) landing page or seamlessly integrate

As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government is in a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass new funding legislation. While many essential operations will continue, several functions within the Department of Education (ED) and Federal Student Aid are being furloughed, raising concerns about potential disruptions for student loan borrowers. Key Impacts to Watch Loan payments remain due. Borrowers must continue making payments during the shutdown. Servicing and s

When borrowers visit Studentaid.gov, they can see their balances and explore repayment options. But what they don’t get is clarity. The federal simulator is limited to static “what-if” numbers that assume every borrower’s situation fits neatly into one model. The reality is—it doesn’t. That’s why Student Debt Solutions (SDS) built a calculator system designed to do far more than show balances. Our calculators are interactive, dynamic, and guided by a real decision framework t

For millions of borrowers, today’s student-loan landscape feels like a maze with moving walls. Rules, income-driven plans, forgiveness pathways, and default remedies all exist—but stitching them into a usable, personalized plan is hard. Servicers are built to administer accounts, not to model strategy; StudentAid.gov is rich with information, but thin on end-to-end execution for complex, mixed-loan situations. The result is that borrowers often face less-than-optimal choic

For many borrowers, managing student loans means juggling confusing repayment plans, forgiveness rules, and eligibility requirements. While Federal Student Aid (FSA) and loan servicers provide essential access and support, they don’t always make it easy to see the full picture. Student Debt Solutions (SDS) was built to change that—offering a smarter, more strategic way to understand and manage your student debt. Q: I already have access to my loans through Federal Student Aid

When it comes to student loans, most borrowers are left in the dark—stuck between confusing information on Studentaid.gov and limited guidance from their servicer. That’s where Student Debt Solutions (SDS) changes the game. Our platform bridges the gap by combining powerful calculators, personalized analysis, and real human support that go far beyond what the federal portal or a call center can offer. Across the country, borrowers are telling us the same thing: “I thought Stu

At DebtHelper, we have helped many thousands of consumers with their debt challenges for almost three decades. As a non-profit company, we provide education and counseling for our clients with debt, credit and housing challenges in addition to helping them find affordable housing. We pride ourselves in offering a comprehensive suite of education and guidance for our clients – we even make referrals to bankruptcy attorneys when a client’s financial situation warrants. One are

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a full year since we started sending our first newsletter, SDS Advisor. Every month, our goal has...

In about 15 minutes, an SDS session provides a free, personalized recommendation tailored to your goals—whether that’s lowering your...

Even highly educated borrowers, like a Harvard graduate and Notre Dame professor I once worked with, have told me that navigating student...

When you hear the word forgiveness, it can sound like a magic button that wipes away your loans. Unfortunately, some companies prey on...

At Student Debt Solutions, our mission has always been to help borrowers identify the most effective repayment strategies for their...

For decades, bankruptcy attorneys have assumed student loans were the “untouchable” debt. We would tell clients, “Sorry, bankruptcy...

Recent legislative changes have created a major opportunity for Parent PLUS loan borrowers — one that could lead to significantly lower...

Consolidation is the process of combining one or more federal student loans into a single new Direct Consolidation Loan through the U.S....