During the federal government shutdown, the Department of Education (ED) is operating with reduced staffing. While some services are limited, most core student loan operations will continue.
What’s Still Available
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): You can still submit PSLF forms, and employment certification will continue to be tracked.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR): You can still submit IDR applications and recertify your income.
Loan Servicers: Your servicer remains open, and payments are still due as scheduled.
Forgiveness Tracking: Qualifying payments toward PSLF or IDR forgiveness will continue to be counted.
What’s Delayed or Unavailable
Final Forgiveness Approvals: If your forgiveness application (PSLF, IDR, or buyback) is under review, final approvals or processing may be delayed.
ED Support Teams: ED customer service, including the Ombudsman’s office, will not be available during the shutdown.
Default Collections: No new wage garnishments or tax refund offsets will be initiated during the shutdown and collections on defaulted federal student loans are generally paused, because the Department of Education and its contracted collections agencies operate with limited staffing.
What You Should Do
Continue making required loan payments on time.
Keep your employment certification and income documentation up to date.
Upload important documents to your Savi account by logging in and selecting Upload Documents from your dashboard. You can upload payment records in case of delays or questions.
Our Commitment
Savi will continue to monitor the situation and keep all users informed of any changes related to student loans during the shutdown.
FAQs
Can I still submit PSLF forms during the shutdown?
Yes. You can continue to submit PSLF forms, and your employment certification will still be tracked. Submitting forms with Savi continues to be the easiest way to complete these.
What about IDR applications and recertifications?
You can still apply for an Income-Driven Repayment plan or recertify your income. These applications will be processed, but delays may occur for final approvals.
Will my payments still count toward forgiveness?
Yes. Qualifying PSLF and IDR payments will continue to be tracked by your loan servicer.
What happens if I’m waiting for forgiveness approval?
Final forgiveness approvals, including PSLF, IDR forgiveness, or buyback processing, may be delayed during the shutdown.
Is the Department of Education’s customer service available?
No. ED’s customer service teams, including the Ombudsman’s office, are not available during the shutdown. Savi's customer support team is available for all Essential and PRO users. We are here to help with any questions you might have at this time.
Should I keep making payments?
Yes. You should continue to make payments with your loan servicer as scheduled to remain in good standing.
Where should I store my documents?
You can upload your income, employment, or payment records directly to your Savi account by selecting Upload Documents on your dashboard.