Student loan guides
Plain-English explainers for the 2026 federal student loan rules.
These guides explain the 2026 federal student loan landscape: the OBBBA timeline of changes through 2028, how PSLF and loan forgiveness work, what discretionary income means, the HHS poverty guidelines that drive income-driven payments, and how to weigh an income-driven plan against Standard repayment. General information, not advice.
Data as of June 2026.
Every key date in the 2025-2028 student loan overhaul.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)120 payments, qualifying work, and which plans count.
Student loan forgiveness in 2026RAP, IBR and PSLF forgiveness timelines and taxes.
Discretionary income explainedHow AGI minus 150% of the poverty guideline drives IBR.
2025 HHS poverty guidelinesThe public-domain table behind income-driven payments.
Income-driven vs Standard repaymentWhen a lower payment beats a faster payoff.
Last updated: 2026-06-22