Student loan forgiveness paths have changed under Trump. How to navigate them

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Recent and looming changes to the U.S. Department of Education's student loan repayment plans will affect whether and when millions of borrowers get their debt canceled . The new rules on the government's income-driven repayment plans , or IDRs, stem from President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other policy developments. "We are encouraging all borrowers to evaluate their repayment options on which plan is going to be best for them moving forward," said Landon Warmund , a certified financial planner and certified student loan professional at Reliant Financial Services in Kansas City, Missouri. "Proactive planning is always key, and between now and July 1 is the time to do that," said Warmund, who is also a member of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council . Congress created the first IDR plans in the 1990s to make student loan borrowers' bills more affordable. Historically, the plans cap people's monthly payments at a share of their discretionary income and cancel any remaining debt after a certain period, typically 20 years or 25 years. More than 12.5 million student loan borrowers were enrolled in IDR plans in the first quarter of 2026, according to an analysis by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Over 42 million Americans hold student loans, and the outstanding debt exceeds $1.6 trillion , according to the Congressional Research Service. Here's what to know about getting your student debt forgiven amid all the moving parts. …