Legislative Tracker: Loan Repayment
On this page, you'll find proposals to improve or modify the process by which students borrow and repay their loans.
S.4567/H.R.8896 & H.R.8815 — Teacher Debt Relief Act
Sponsors: Rep. Fernandez [D-NM], Sen. Luján [D-NM], Rep. Hayes [D-CT]
Introduced: 5/14/2026 & 5/19/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would amend the eligibility provisions for teacher loan forgiveness programs by removing the prohibition that prevents borrowers from receiving Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), or Federal Direct Loan Teacher Forgiveness for the same teaching service.
H.R.8475 — Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro [D-CT]
Introduced: 04/23/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would create a new income-driven repayment option called the “Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) plan.” Under SOAR, borrowers would generally pay $0 on income up to 250% of the poverty line and 5–10% of income above that threshold, with unpaid interest not accruing beyond what payments cover. The plan splits payments so that at least half goes toward principal and offers loan forgiveness after 10 years for some low-balance undergraduate borrowers and 15 years for others. It also allows many deferment and forbearance periods to count toward forgiveness. The bill also begins phasing out existing plans, such as PAYE and ICR, for new enrollees after a transition period.
H.R.8351 — Clean Slate through Repayment Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Ross [D-NC]
Introduced: 04/16/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would require that, once a federal student loan borrower fully repays a defaulted loan, the default record be removed from their credit history.
H.R.8356 — Clean Slate through Consolidation Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Stevens [D-MI]
Introduced: 04/16/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would require that when a borrower uses a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan to pay off and discharge a defaulted federal student loan, the default must be removed from their credit history.
H.R.8361 — Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Williams [D-GA]
Introduced: 04/16/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would require that, once a borrower rehabilitates a defaulted federal student loan, all related adverse credit history be removed from their credit record.
S.4119 — Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock [D-GA]
Introduced: 03/17/2026
NASFAA Summary: This bill would amend the tax code to allow married couples to each claim the student loan interest deduction separately, rather than being subject to a single combined limit. Currently, married borrowers filing jointly share a $2,500 cap, but this bill would apply that limit per individual, effectively doubling the potential deduction for couples where both spouses have student loan debt. The legislation also includes conforming changes to simplify how the limit is applied and prevent double benefits, and it would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.
H.R.5843 — Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act
Sponsor: Rep. Elfreth [D-MD]
Introduced: 10/28/2025
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would provide temporary federal student loan relief for federal employees and certain contractors affected by government shutdowns. During any lapse in appropriations lasting at least 14 days, the Department of Education would be required to suspend payments on federal Direct Loans held by eligible federal employees and contractors who are furloughed or otherwise unpaid. No interest would accrue on the loans during the suspension period, and each suspended month would count as a qualifying payment toward loan forgiveness programs. The bill would also ensure that suspended payments are reported to credit agencies as if they were made on time. The relief would apply retroactively to September 30, 2025, and eligible borrowers could request refunds for payments made during qualifying shutdown periods.
H.R.5816 — HELP FEDs Act
Sponsor: Rep. Crockett [D-TX]
Introduced: 10/24/2025
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would protect federal employees from financial penalties and negative credit impacts on their federal student loans during government shutdowns. It would prohibit the assessment of late fees, penalties, or interest accrual on qualified education loans for federal employees who miss payments due to a lapse in federal funding that results in a disruption of pay. The Department of Education would be required to coordinate with loan servicers and credit reporting agencies to ensure that missed or delayed payments during such periods are not reported as adverse credit events. The protections would apply retroactively to shutdowns occurring on or after October 1, 2025, and the Secretary of Education, in coordination with relevant federal offices, would be required to issue implementation regulations within 30 days of enactment.
S.2485 — Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin [D-IL]
Introduced: 07/28/2025
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill allows adjunct faculty members to qualify for public service loan forgiveness.
H.R.4727 — To codify Executive Order 14235 relating to restoring public service loan forgiveness.
Sponsor: Rep. Self [R-TX]
Introduced: 07/23/2025
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would codify Executive Order (EO) 14325 regarding amending the public service loan forgiveness program. The EO directs the Secretary of Education to ensure that “public service” does not include organizations involved in illegal activities, such as helping with immigration, promoting violence to influence policy, supporting gender-related procedures for minors, human trafficking, illegal discrimination, or repeatedly breaking state laws like trespassing or vandalism.
S.1764/H.R.3412 — Ending Administrative Garnishment Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Booker [D-NJ]
Sponsor: Rep. Pressley [D-MA]
Introduced: 05/14/2025
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would suspend ED’s authority to garnish wages for federal student loan repayment until the Secretary of Education certifies to Congress that a robust reform process is in place. This process must include swift refunds for improper garnishments, discretionary authority to pause garnishments at any time, and employer verification of garnishment details. If the Secretary cannot implement such a system, garnishment authority would remain suspended. The bill also allows borrowers or the Department to sue employers who fail to comply with garnishment suspensions, requires the Department to pay double the amount improperly garnished, and prohibits garnishment of loans older than 10 years.
Publication Date: 5/19/2026
