There’s a key deadline in April for borrowers hoping to get student loan forgiveness

For borrowers aiming to relieve student loan debt, the Biden administration has set an important deadline on April 30.

Consolidating multiple federal student loans by this date could significantly accelerate their path to forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven plans tailor monthly payments based on borrowers’ discretionary income, making them more manageable.

Typically, after 10, 20, or 25 years depending on the plan, the remaining balance is forgiven.

However, borrowers often have multiple loans, each with its own forgiveness timeline.

Previously, consolidating loans would reset this timeline.

Now, with the temporary exception until April 30, consolidating loans can retroactively credit payments made on the oldest loan in the bundle, bringing borrowers closer to forgiveness on all their loans.

By consolidating, borrowers can avoid the staggered forgiveness timelines associated with multiple loans.

This adjustment could result in immediate forgiveness for borrowers who have made significant payments towards their oldest loan over the years.

Even borrowers with small loan balances could potentially qualify for forgiveness within 10 years by enrolling in the new income-based repayment plan known as SAVE.

It’s essential to obtain a complete payment history for each loan before consolidating to ensure accurate credit is applied.

If there are any discrepancies in payment counts, borrowers can contact their loan servicer or file a complaint with the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid unit.

The April 30 deadline only applies to the consolidation of loans.

Once consolidated, borrowers will continue making payments under their income-driven plan until the forgiveness criteria are met.

Consolidating loans does not typically increase monthly payments, as these are determined by the borrower’s income rather than their total debt amount.

However, the new interest rate will be a weighted average of the rates across the loans being consolidated.

Overall, consolidating loans by April 30 can significantly expedite the path to student loan forgiveness for those with multiple federal loans.

It’s advisable to carefully consider all loan details, including payment history, before proceeding with consolidation to maximize the potential benefits.