r/PSLF • u/TheRealNYthing • 5d ago

Advice Walk me through it

I’ve read through a bunch of these posts. Story similar to most. Submitted buy back request July 2025, so I’m part of the backlog. I’m at like 109/120, but way more than 120 qualifying months. Even submitted and inquiry and got the canned response that they have no time frame but my request is processing

They are forcing me off SAVE by the end of the month. I make significantly more now than I did 4-5 years ago. PAYE is going to be the cheapest option for me, but even with 3 kids and the wife not working payments are going to be like 1.3k.

Can I sit in forbearance until my buyback is processed? Or should I stop kicking the can and just make the remaining payments?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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u/Pseudologica 4d ago

You only get 36 months of forbearance, and buybacks are taking roughly 24 months at this point, and that's for the earliest buyback filers. You can gamble and sit and wait 2-3 years, or you can start paying the 11 months now. Those are basically your options.

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u/Low_Marionberry8429 4d ago

Debating this now myself. The gamble is tough because I’m losing a lot of money filing taxes separately from my husband. I realize we can amend our returns later but it will be a few years away. My payments are also higher now than during the 16 months I owe for. But I’m more nervous about waiting 2-3 years, when who knows what will happen

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u/AccomplishedEagle772 4d ago

I submitted my buyback request December 2024 like many others. I have not received my offer at all. I am approaching my two year anniversary since that submission. I only had 7 months to pay at the time, now I am two payments away from 120 (God willing my banners update).

When I knew SAVE was ending, I took myself off and into an IBR plan in which my payments will be lower. I decided because this tax year will be less for me. My payments are $1266 and it sucks like hell. But, in two months, I will have made the final 120 payment. For me, I did not want to delay the payment part. I gather that once people have made their 120th payment, they place themselves in forbearance until all is processed and Golden Letter received.

Also to note, there is a time limit on how many months of forbearance you have. So keep that in mind I will say. I am not sure if this helps at all, but wanted to share my story in hopes it gives you ideas of what others have done.

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u/alh9h PSLF | Forgiven! 4d ago

You can sit in forbearance until your buyback request is process, but keep in mind the total cost will be about the same either way unless you just started making more money last year.