At the current rate of processing, some borrowers with student loans eligible for loan forgiveness could be waiting many months, or even years, for a decision.

Student loan refinance rates increased a bit from their lows. As of January 15, 2026, student loan refinance lenders are offering fixed rates as low as 3.84% APR and variable rates starting as low as 3.

Preston Cooper at AEI recently published an analysis of the latest federal student loan data, and the results were sobering: 5.5 million borrowers in default, another 3.7 million more than 270 days late on their payments and 2.7 million in the early stages of delinquency.

Several million borrowers may lose access to affordable payments and eventual student loan forgiveness if they don’t take specific steps by April 1, 2026.

Federal student loan borrowers in default could soon see their wages garnished or Social Security checks withheld after Jan. 7.

One significant change that’s coming: all federal student loans will be streamlined under one new repayment assistance program.

When you refinance student loans, you can save money by replacing existing education debt with a new, lower-cost loan through a private lender. To qualify, you’ll need: Credit scores at least in the high 600s — ideally higher. Steady income. A co ...