SAVE Plan Deadline Independent guide · Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education Español

Got your SAVE plan notice? What it means

What it says, when your 90 days start, and what to do if it never arrived.

By the SAVE Plan Deadline editorial team · Updated

What matters on the notice is its date: from that day you have 90 days to pick a plan. If you don’t, you’re moved to the Standard or the Tiered Standard plan.1,2

Who sends it and how it arrives

The notice that starts your clock comes from your loan servicer (MOHELA, Nelnet, Aidvantage…), by email or postal mail depending on your contact preferences.2 Servicers began sending them on July 1, 2026, and continue in waves through the end of 2026.1,3

I got several emails: which one counts?

Between March and May 2026, the Department of Education emailed SAVE borrowers heads-up messages. Those don’t start the clock: the one that counts is your servicer’s notice, which carries your deadline.4

Enter your notice date

EXIT 90

SAVE ends

90 days after your notice

Enter the date on your notice

If your notice hasn’t arrived

  1. Log in to studentaid.gov and check who your servicer is.5
  2. Log in to your servicer’s account and check its inbox: sometimes the notice is there and the email went to spam.
  3. Make sure your email and mailing address are current, since the notice goes to what’s on file.2
  4. You don’t have to wait: you can apply for RAP or IBR today at studentaid.gov/idr.2,6

Before you respond: two traps

  • Consolidating now closes doors. If you consolidate after July 1, 2026, your only choices are RAP and Tiered Standard: you lose IBR.7
  • No legitimate company charges you to switch plans. It’s free at studentaid.gov. Be wary of anyone asking for money or your password.8

Frequently asked questions

When do the 90 days start?

On the date printed on your servicer’s notice, not on the earlier Department of Education emails.

What if I never got the notice?

Check your servicer account’s inbox and make sure your email and address are current. You don’t have to wait: you can switch today at studentaid.gov/idr.

What happens if I ignore the notice?

When the 90 days run out you’re moved to the Standard or Tiered Standard plan, which ignore your income. You can apply for RAP or IBR later, but you’re billed the Standard amount while it’s processed.
NEXT EXIT

Your exact plan, in writing

$29 one time

Which plan to pick and why, what you’ll pay in total, whether filing separately saves you money, PSLF, the steps on studentaid.gov, and ready letters if your servicer gets it wrong.

See the report

14-day money-back guarantee. Switching is free at studentaid.gov: we sell clarity, never the paperwork.

Sources

  1. Attorney General James urges student loan borrowers on SAVE to choose new repayment options (July 6, 2026) New York State Attorney General · Official source
  2. SAVE Plan FAQ MOHELA (Federal Student Aid servicer) · Official source
  3. SAVE plan exit notices likely arriving by end of 2026, Nelnet FAQ signals The College Investor
  4. The SAVE Plan is ending: what borrowers in SAVE need to know Student Loan Borrower Assistance (National Consumer Law Center)
  5. Who is my loan servicer? Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) · Official source
  6. Income-Driven Repayment Plan application Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) · Official source
  7. Your SAVE repayment plan is ending: what happens next? (Aug 24, 2026) City of Philadelphia, Mayor's Office of Education · Official source
  8. Student loan scammers won’t offer relief Federal Trade Commission · Official source