I have loans with Nelnet. The system says my loans are in forbearance until January 2026. They’ve been in forbearance since I graduated in 2020 due to Covid and haven’t been taken out of forbearance since. It still says I’m on the SAVE plan, but now my payments are going from $0 to $401.85 starting January 15, 2026. I’m confused because my income hasn’t changed. At least it doesn’t look like I’m accruing interest. I contacted Nelnet, but they gave me the same vague response they put on their website. Now, I’m wondering if I should just switch to a different plan. Has anyone else had this happen? Is it better to just wait and see what happens in court?
That’s probably the standard payment if you don’t recertify your income next year.
Aubrey said:
That’s probably the standard payment if you don’t recertify your income next year.
Oh wow, that actually makes sense now. Thanks a lot 
Your payment will be $400 a month if you don’t recertify in January 2026. I’m guessing your loan balance is around $35-40k?
Ari said:
Your payment will be $400 a month if you don’t recertify in January 2026. I’m guessing your loan balance is around $35-40k?
Yeah, my loan is about $38k. I don’t get why Nelnet didn’t just tell me this when I contacted them 
@Onyx
If you don’t recertify, you’ll be placed back on the standard plan with the $400 payment. You should start planning to switch to IBR or PAYE, as I’m not sure SAVE will last much longer.
Ari said:
@Onyx
If you don’t recertify, you’ll be placed back on the standard plan with the $400 payment. You should start planning to switch to IBR or PAYE, as I’m not sure SAVE will last much longer.
I’m really torn about whether to just wait or make the switch now.
Ari said:
@Onyx
You can wait if you want, but start budgeting as though you’ll be on a higher plan next year.
If IBR is still an option, my income is low enough that I don’t think my monthly payments would be too high.
Ari said:
Your payment will be $400 a month if you don’t recertify in January 2026. I’m guessing your loan balance is around $35-40k?
Does everyone on SAVE need to recertify in January 2026?
@Kingsley
I don’t think so. It might depend on when you last recertified. I’ve heard that people with recertifications around this time are getting them pushed out a year. I wouldn’t be shocked if no one needs to recertify on SAVE until the court stuff is sorted.
I had to recertify my income because one of my bigger loans wasn’t showing up as eligible for PSLF. Had to do a full consolidation and now I’m in a 10% repayment plan. I am so over this and definitely not buying a house with that monthly payment 
. I let Moehela pick the lowest payment option so I could avoid stressing about it for now. I hate how everything is based on the national average and not where you live.
That’s probably your standard payment.
Income certification is only valid for a year. It’s showing your standard payment if you don’t recertify in time.
You’ve got the answer, but just a side note…
Unless you’re in PSLF, you should keep making payments. Everything you pay will go towards your principal, which is really good for you. It’ll lower your total amount owed in the long run.
Hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’ve seen a lot of posts like yours this month. I think everything is just in limbo and no one really knows what’s going to happen. With this administration, SAVE might end up going away, and you’ll have to figure out what’s best for you when that happens. In the meantime, try to make as much progress as you can while your loans are in forbearance or just save the money in a high yield savings account.
@Davin
Do you think the court injunction will affect other IDR plans or just SAVE? Like, if I switch to IBR, am I going to face the same $400 payment issue? I don’t get how they’re calculating it with my current income.
@Onyx
I’m not sure, but I’ve read that the IBR plan should still be available to us if SAVE gets phased out.