If you have federal student loans, you’ve probably heard the buzz: SAVE plans started drawing attention again beginning August 1, 2025. That’s because interest accrual on federal student loans finally resumed after a long pause during the pandemic.

Student loan borrowers who don't leave the so-called SAVE payment pause could see their debt grow from interest and find their progress to loan relief stalled.

Key Points ・The SAVE repayment plan remains in legal limbo, and borrowers are simply waiting for a date on when the administrative forbearance will end. ・The One Big Beautiful Bill officially eliminates SAVE and move borrowers into a version of IBR,