Education Dept Updates Student Loan Form
Published Date: 7/7/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Education is updating the form that helps students pick their loan repayment plans for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. This affects about 660,000 borrowers who’ll have a clearer, easier way to choose how they pay back their loans. Comments on the changes are open until August 6, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Repayment form updated for OBBBA
The Department of Education is revising the William D. Ford Direct Loan Repayment Plan Selection Form to include new regulatory requirements from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025). The revision affects about 660,000 borrowers and updates OMB Control Number 1845-0014 so the form reflects the statute changes.
Default to Standard Repayment if no choice
If a Direct Loan borrower does not select an initial repayment plan, the borrower will be placed on the Standard Repayment Plan or the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan under 34 CFR 685.210(a)(2). This automatic placement happens before loans enter repayment unless the borrower chooses a plan.
Paperwork burden for borrowers
The Department estimates this information collection will involve about 660,000 annual responses and a total of 110,220 annual burden hours for respondents (individuals or households). This is the estimated time respondents will spend filling out or changing the repayment plan form.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-15665 — William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program
The government wants to change the rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to stop people working for shady employers from getting loan forgiveness. This means if your job is with an organization involved in serious illegal activities, you won’t qualify for loan help anymore. These changes protect taxpayers and make sure the program is fair, coming soon to keep things on the up and up.
2026-13248 — International Education Programs and Fulbright-Hays Program; Recission of Regulations
The Department of Education wants to cancel the current rules for International Education and Fulbright-Hays programs to stay flexible and better match today’s education and workforce needs. This change affects schools and organizations involved in these programs and aims to help the Department update priorities without being tied down by old regulations. People have until July 31, 2026, to share their thoughts before the change happens.
2026-13286 — Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand- Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability
Starting July 1, 2027, colleges must prove their programs help students earn enough money to keep getting federal student loans. This new rule affects schools offering Direct Loans and aims to stop loans for programs where graduates don’t make enough. Some parts kick in earlier on August 31, 2026, so schools better get ready to show they’re helping students succeed in the workforce!
2026-13179 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Application
The Department of Education is updating the form people use to split their joint student loan. This change affects borrowers with joint consolidation loans and aims to make the process clearer and easier. You’ve got until July 30, 2026, to share your thoughts, and about 20,000 folks use this form each year.
2026-13178 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Revocation of Consent To Share Federal Tax Information Form
The Department of Education wants to keep using a form that lets people cancel their permission to share federal tax info. This extension won’t change the form but gives folks a chance to comment by August 31, 2026. If you’re involved with federal student aid or tax info sharing, this affects you—no new costs or big changes, just a smooth continuation.
2026-12966 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) Promissory Notes and Related Forms
The Department of Education is updating the forms for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which affects students, schools, and loan servicers. They want your feedback by July 27, 2026, to make sure the forms are clear and easy to use without causing extra hassle. This update aims to keep the loan process smooth and efficient for over 12 million annual responses.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13645 — Notice of Scope Ruling Applications Filed in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings
The U.S. Department of Commerce is letting everyone know that companies have asked if certain products fall under special import taxes called antidumping and countervailing duties. This affects businesses importing or exporting these products and could change how much tax they pay. The official review started July 7, 2026, so keep an eye out if you’re involved in international trade!
Next: 2026-13648 — Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Except Accounts Pursuant to Section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code From the Requirements of FINRA Rule 3210 (Accounts At Other Broker-Dealers and Financial Institutions)
FINRA is updating its rules to exclude certain accounts protected under a new tax law (Section 530A) from extra paperwork and approval steps. This change helps financial pros handle these special accounts more easily, starting right away with no extra costs. If you work with broker-dealers or financial institutions, this means smoother account management from now on!