Federal student loan payments are scheduled to resume on January 1, 2025, after a pause that began in March 2020

The pause on federal student loan payments — during which borrowers were not required to make monthly payments and interest did not accrue — ended on December 31, 2024. This means payments resume on January 1, 2025. If you have federal loans, your loan servicer will begin collecting payments according to your repayment plan starting that date. Private student loans were not affected by the pause and have been requiring payments throughout.

The timing matters because your first payment will be due roughly 21 days after your servicer sends a billing statement. Most servicers have already sent notices to borrowers explaining the restart date, the new payment amount, and which account the payment should go to. If you have not received a notice from your servicer, you can log into your account at studentaid.gov or contact your servicer directly to confirm your payment amount and due date.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal student loan payments restart on January 1, 2025, after a nearly five-year pause that began in March 2020.
  • Your first payment will be due approximately three weeks after your servicer sends you a billing statement, not necessarily on January 1.
  • Your payment amount depends on which repayment plan you are on; income-driven plans may have lower payments than standard plans.
  • If you are struggling to afford payments, you can change your repayment plan or request a temporary pause through income-driven repayment or deferment.
  • Private student loans were never paused and have required payments throughout the entire period.

How to find your payment amount and due date

Your loan servicer is the company that collects your payments, and they are required to send you a billing statement at least 21 days before your first payment is due. This statement will show your monthly payment amount, the due date, and where to send the payment. You can find the name of your servicer by logging into studentaid.gov with your FSA ID and checking your loan details.

If you have not received a statement and January 1 is approaching, log into your servicer's website directly or call the number on any previous loan documents. Do not wait until January 1 to find this information — servicers handle high call volumes during the restart period, and you want to know your payment amount before the due date arrives.

Your payment amount is determined by your repayment plan. If you are on a standard 10-year plan, your payment is fixed. If you are on an income-driven plan (such as SAVE, PAYE, IBR, or ICR), your payment is calculated based on your income and family size and may be lower than the standard amount.

What repayment plans mean for your monthly payment

The federal government offers several repayment plans, and your payment amount depends on which one you are on. The Standard Repayment Plan has a fixed payment over 10 years. Income-Driven Repayment Plans (SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR) calculate your payment based on your discretionary income — typically 10 to 20 percent of what you earn above the poverty line — and can result in payments as low as $0 per month if your income is below the threshold.

If you were on an income-driven plan before the pause, you remain on that plan unless you actively change it. However, your payment amount may have changed because it is recalculated based on your current income. If your income has increased, your payment may be higher. If your income has decreased or you are now earning less, your payment may be lower or even $0.

You can change your repayment plan at any time by logging into studentaid.gov or contacting your servicer. If you are concerned about affording your payment, switching to an income-driven plan is often the fastest way to lower your monthly amount.

Options if you cannot afford your payment

If your payment amount is more than you can manage, you have several options before you fall behind. The first is to change your repayment plan to an income-driven option, which can significantly lower your monthly payment. This change takes effect within one to two billing cycles after you request it.

The second option is to request a temporary pause through deferment or forbearance. Deferment pauses your payments and interest does not accrue (though this depends on your loan type). Forbearance also pauses payments, but interest continues to accrue and is added to your balance. Both are temporary — typically lasting three to six months — and you must request them before you miss a payment. Contact your servicer to discuss which option fits your situation.

The third option is to explore income-driven repayment plans specifically designed for hardship. Under the SAVE plan, for example, if your income is below 150 percent of the federal poverty line, your payment can be $0. You still must make the $0 payment (or request it) to stay in good standing, but you will not owe money that month.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment is due and you do not make it, your loan enters a grace period. Federal loans typically have a 15-day grace period before the loan is considered delinquent. During this time, you can still make the payment without penalty. After 15 days, the loan is delinquent, and your credit score may be affected.

If you miss payments for 270 days (about nine months), your loan goes into default. Once in default, the federal government can take action to recover the debt, including wage garnishment, tax refund offset, and collection fees. The consequences of default are serious and long-lasting, so contacting your servicer before you miss a payment is critical.

If you have already missed a payment or are about to, call your servicer immediately. Many will work with you to set up a payment plan, lower your payment through a plan change, or pause your loans temporarily. The key is to reach out before the delinquency becomes default.

Private student loans and the payment restart

Private student loans were not affected by the federal payment pause. Borrowers with private loans have been making payments throughout the entire period since March 2020. If you have private loans, your payment terms have not changed and you should continue making payments as scheduled.

If you have both federal and private loans, make sure you understand which is which. Federal loans are serviced through studentaid.gov and have a servicer name (such as Nelnet, Mohela, or Great Lakes). Private loans come from banks, credit unions, or private lenders and are managed separately. Your payment restart applies only to the federal portion of your debt.

Preparing now for the payment restart

The best time to prepare is before January 1. Log into studentaid.gov and confirm your loan balance, servicer, and current repayment plan. If you are unsure whether your payment will be affordable, contact your servicer now to discuss switching to an income-driven plan or exploring other options. Many servicers have extended hours and online chat support during the restart period.

If your financial situation has changed since the pause began — your income is lower, you have new dependents, or you are facing hardship — document this information. You will need it if you request an income-driven plan recalculation or a temporary pause. Having this ready before you contact your servicer will speed up the process.

Set a calendar reminder for your payment due date so you do not miss it by accident. Even one missed payment can affect your credit and trigger collection efforts. Automatic payment (autopay) through your servicer is a reliable way to ensure you never miss a due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to make a payment on January 1, 2025?

No. Your first payment is due approximately 21 days after your servicer sends you a billing statement, not on January 1 itself. Most servicers will send statements in late December or early January, making the first payment due in mid-to-late January. Check your billing statement for the exact date.

What if my income has changed since the pause started?

If you are on an income-driven repayment plan, your payment is recalculated based on your current income when you restart payments. If your income has decreased, your payment may be lower. You can also request a manual recalculation by contacting your servicer and providing recent tax documents or pay stubs.

Can I get another pause if I cannot afford payments?

The federal payment pause has ended and will not be extended again. However, you can request deferment or forbearance (temporary pauses) through your servicer, or you can switch to an income-driven repayment plan that may lower your payment to $0 if your income qualifies. These are your options for managing affordability going forward.

Will interest start accruing again on January 1?

Yes. Interest on federal student loans will accrue starting January 1, 2025. During the pause, interest did not accrue on most federal loans. Once payments restart, interest will be calculated daily and added to your balance if you are not making payments or if your payment does not cover the interest owed.

How do I know if I have federal or private loans?

Log into studentaid.gov with your FSA ID. All federal loans appear there with the name of your servicer. Private loans do not appear on studentaid.gov — they are managed by the bank or lender that issued them. Check your loan documents or credit report to identify private loans.