Borrowers are one step closer to regaining a tool that shows when their student loans will be forgiven

Eight million student loan borrowers may soon be able to see exactly when their debts will disappear. The Education Department is actively working to restore the income-driven repayment (IDR) payment counter — a tool that tracks progress toward forgiveness — after reversing a previous stance that it had no plans to bring it back. For years, borrowers on income-driven plans have had no reliable way to know how many qualifying payments they’ve made, making it nearly impossible to plan for when their remaining balance might be discharged after 20, 25, or 30 years. The counter briefly launched in early 2025, showing month-by-month credit toward forgiveness, but was removed after the Trump administration claimed it included periods affected by court injunctions on the SAVE plan. In a December court filing, the department said it had no intention of restoring the tool due to legal complications. But updated guidance issued March 27 states the department is now modifying the IDR counters and making system changes required by court actions — a clear reversal. The timing coincides with major changes set for July 1, when borrowers in the terminated SAVE plan will have 90 days to switch repayment plans or be moved into the Standard plan. A new option, the Repayment Assistance Plan, will also launch, offering forgiveness after 30 years. System updates for these changes could pave the way for the counter’s return. Until it’s restored, borrowers must contact their loan servicer directly to verify payment history. And with loan forgiveness once again treated as taxable income in 2025, knowing exactly when discharge will occur is no longer just a planning convenience — it’s a tax imperative.