Episode 126: Student Loan Management Transitioning in 2026

A special thanks to Zach Smith from AccessLex (https://www.accesslex.org/) for joining us to talk about the upcoming changes related to federal student loans in the coming 2026-2027 academic year after a series of legislative changes. Recent Webinars & Prior Student Loan Episode: Student Loan Management [Get Savvy Webinar Recording] from April 1, 2026: https://youtu.be/oMlq8ZFumOY?si=0JiDOhryd5oq4e3d Demystifying the Financial Aid Process [Get Savvy Webinar Recording] from January 28, 2026: https://youtu.be/3nL8Jj_7heM?si=fqbwS9_L4QCOexAj Navigating federal student loan default and debt collection restart [Podcast Episode]: https://www.studentmoney.uillinois.edu/podcast-navigating-federal-student-loan-default-and-debt-collection-restart.html Tools: Federal Student Loan Repayment Wizard (to help federal borrowers understand their repayment plan options): https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1287368252 Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans #MakeTheCase Advocacy Campaign. AccessLex: https://www.accesslex.org/tools-and-resources/makethecase?areas_of_focus_tools[19]=19&f=1 Resources for Private Student Loans & Loan Management Generally: Comparing Private Student Loans [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/54213092 Increasing ROI for a College Degree [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1768869035 The Role of Loan Servicers [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/681485881 How the Rule of 72 Can Help You Build Wealth—Or Sink Deeper Into Debt [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/446933598 Back to School: College and Credit [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1942070018 The Impact of Compound Interest [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/650946740 Other References Federal Register. (2025, January 15). Income-contingent repayment plan options. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2025-00724/income-contingent-repayment-plan-options Walter, M. (2026, May 1). ED publishes final regulations implementing OBBBA federal student loan changes. NASFAA. https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/38809/ED_Publishes_Final_Regulations_Implementing_OBBBA_Federal_Student_Loan_Changes The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2024, March). Default incidence infographic. https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2024/03/defaultincidence_infographic_final.pdf University of Illinois System, Student Money Management Center. (2025). Student loans. https://www.studentmoney.uillinois.edu/learn/studentloans U.S. Department of Education. (2025a). U.S. Department of Education continues to improve federal student loan repayment options, addresses illegal Biden administration actions. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-continues-improve-federal-student-loan-repayment-options-addresses-illegal-biden-administration-actions U.S. Department of Education. (2025b). U.S. Department of Education opens revised income-driven repayment plan and loan consolidation applications for borrowers. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-revised-income-driven-repayment-plan-and-loan-consolidation-applications-borrowers U.S. Department of Education. (2026, April 15). One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates