New era in US student loans as repayment rules tighten from July 1
The US is overhauling its federal student-loan repayment system: the Save plan ends July 1 after a court ruling, forcing borrowers to pick a new plan within 90 days; existing loans can use IBR, PAYE, or ICR or be moved to fixed plans, though most of these will tighten forgiveness and be phased out by 2028. New borrowers will get RAP and a tiered standard plan, while fixed plans often require higher payments, signaling a shift toward less forgiving terms and sparking concern among graduates.