The American Federation of Teachers warned that the Department of Education has accumulated a backlog of more than 800,000 applications for income‑driven repayment (IDR) plans and related loan-consolidation requests, and it has pushed the department into court. The union argues the backlog violates borrowers’ rights despite prior settlements requiring the department to process applications. The status reports show extremely low numbers of approved forgiveness cases—170 borrowers at the end of IDR plans and 280 PSLF completers received promised relief—prompting the AFT to file an amended complaint and press for an injunction. AFT President Randi Weingarten cited staffing cuts and administrative failures as drivers of the delay. The backlog risks undermining the credibility of borrower-relief programs and could have major enrollment and financial implications if borrowers lose confidence in federal processing. Campus financial-aid offices and public‑service employers should track the backlog and advise students and alumni accordingly.