1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

In Dec 2022, I graduated with a doctorate degree in Optometry. Following my graduation I have come back to my home town of Wappingers Falls, where I began my career in public service working for the Veterans Administration. When I graduated optometry school, my student loan balance was approximately $270,00. I have been on an income-based repayment plan while I pursue loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. I have made countless personal and financial life decisions based on the expectation that my student loans will be forgiven choosing to enter Public Service for not only my dedication but with an understanding that my choice to serve my country would be valued. In September 2023, I enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan to have my monthly payments lowered to a more reasonable amount. On July 18, 2024, a federal court issued a stay that prevents the Department of Education from operating the SAVE plan. Consequently, the Department has placed my student loans into a mandatory administrative forbearance. Unlike other forbearance periods, the Department announced that it will not be counting these months towards the 120 payments required to have my loans forgiven through PSLF. The Department has not given me the option to enroll in another income-based repayment plan that would allow me to continue to make progress toward loan forgiveness. I currently do not have the option to make any payments that would count toward loan forgiveness. The update as of the last few weeks was to switch to another IDR plan however none of these “new” applications are being processed at this time. Thus creating no options but to remain in this forbearance. While some may view this mandatory forbearance as providing relief by pausing their student loan payments, this forbearance will likely cost me thousands of dollars each month it remains in effect. This mandatory forbearance will delay my ability to obtain loan forgiveness through PSLF for each month it remains in effect, which could be several months or years. For someone who has worked in public service on a reduced income, I am feeling the effects of this change in policy. Fortunately, you have the power to remedy this situation. I respectfully request that you work with your colleagues in Congress and the Department of Education to ensure these months spent in mandatory administrative forbearance count towards PSLF. The Department allowed months spent in mandatory administrative forbearance to count towards PSLF when student loan payments were paused during the coronavirus pandemic. The same approach should be employed now to ensure borrowers like myself are protected while the courts decide the final disposition of the SAVE plan. Thank you for considering my request.