The U.S. Education Department quietly restarted student loan forgiveness for borrowers on income-based repayment plans who have made 25 years of timely payments. Borrowers received notice and were given an opt-out deadline of October 21 before discharges proceed. However, processing may be delayed due to a massive federal government shutdown impacting nearly 90% of Education Department staff. The 2021 American Rescue Plan’s tax exemption on canceled debt is set to expire at year-end, adding urgency for affected borrowers. Approximately two million people are enrolled in these plans, though not all qualify yet for forgiveness.