Suspend Student Loan Payments Until Income-Driven Repayment Plans Are Restored

The United States Whitehouse and Our Elected Officials

Following a federal court ruling last week, the U.S. Department of Education removed online applications for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. Now, the Department has removed the paper IDR application, leaving borrowers in extreme financial turmoil and with no affordable payment options. This action severely harms millions of hardworking Americans and has blocked student loan forgiveness pathways. We must call on the Trump Administration and Congress to pause all student loan payments until these IDR plans are fully restored and accessible to borrowers.

To: The United States Whitehouse and Our Elected Officials
From: [Your Name]

We, the undersigned, urgently call upon the President, the U.S. Department of Education, and Congress to implement an immediate pause on all federal student loan payments and accrual of interest until Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are fully restored and accessible to all eligible borrowers.​

The recent changes to IDR plans have significant implications for millions of Americans and their families. Many now face the possibility of increased monthly payments, which could lead to significant financial hardship and potentially result in a wave of defaults. The sudden removal of these repayment plans has created uncertainty, leaving borrowers without clear guidance on their options and adding to their confusion and stress.

The removal of the IDR application raises serious legal concerns, particularly given that the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan was passed by Congress under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. Unlike executive actions that may be subject to legal challenges, IBR is codified into law, granting borrowers a statutory right to access affordable repayment options. The abrupt suspension of IDR applications may conflict with this congressional mandate, potentially violating borrowers' legal rights to enroll in or adjust their repayment plans. We urge the administration and Congress to uphold the legal protections established for student loan borrowers and ensure that all eligible individuals have access to IDR plans as intended by law.

The suspension of IDR plans has placed an undue burden on millions of student loan borrowers. To prevent financial distress and potential defaults, immediate action is necessary. By pausing student loan payments and providing clear guidance, the administration can offer much-needed relief and stability during this period of uncertainty.

We urge you to protect millions of Americans by enacting a payment pause until the IDR application is successfully restored.