Trump-era student loan forgiveness: what is and isn't policy

Short answer: As of November 5, 2026, there is no new broad debt cancellation. PSLF still exists and is federally tax-free. The 2025 PSLF employer rule ("substantial illegal purpose") was vacated by a federal court before its July 1, 2026 effective date, and the administration dropped most of its appeals in October 2026. P.L. 119-21 created RAP (launched July 1, 2026) with forgiveness after 360 payments, and legacy plans phase out by July 1, 2028. IDR forgiveness from 2026 on is generally federally taxable.

Last verified November 5, 2026 · PSLFCheck Editorial

What is policy now

PSLF: 120 qualifying payments, government or 501(c)(3) employer; RAP payments count. Is PSLF going away?
RAP: new income-driven plan since July 1, 2026. What is RAP.
SAVE: ended after court actions; borrowers must move to another plan. 2028 deadline.
Buyback: still available, with a large backlog. PSLF buyback.

What is not policy

No new mass cancellation program.
The PSLF employer-exclusion rule is not in effect (vacated in June 2026).
Social posts promising "Trump forgiveness" for a fee are scams — ED applications are free.

Open items to watch

Remaining appeal on the PSLF employer rule and any new rulemaking.
AFT lawsuit (filed Oct 30, 2026) over PSLF buyback delays and payment counts.

More: Student loan forgiveness in 2026 · News & changelog.

Check my forgiveness options →RAP calculator PSLF employer search

Sources

IDR Plan Court Actions: Impact on Borrowers — studentaid.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
Public Law 119-21 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), Sec. 82001 — Congress.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
Public Service Loan Forgiveness — studentaid.gov — accessed November 5, 2026
Federal News Network: administration drops PSLF rule appeals (Oct 2026) — accessed November 5, 2026
CNBC: AFT lawsuit over PSLF delays (Oct 30, 2026) — accessed November 5, 2026

Disclaimer: Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or any loan servicer. Educational information, not financial or legal advice. Results are estimates. Confirm with studentaid.gov or your servicer. Published by PSLFCheck Editorial, AK Digital Marketing LLC.