A federal judge denied the Education Department’s request for an 18‑month extension to resolve the final tranche of borrower‑defense claims, keeping automatic debt relief on track for those covered by a 2022 settlement. U.S. District Judge William Alsup rejected a blanket delay for claims tied to a subset of borrowers who attended institutions the department flagged for “substantial misconduct,” and set firm deadlines for other groups that will still shift some timelines to April 15. The decision stems from the Sweet v. McMahon settlement that required timely decisions or automatic relief for three cohorts of borrowers who alleged fraud by their colleges. Lawyers for affected borrowers said the ruling forces the department to finish determinations rather than continue administrative delays that have left many debtors in limbo.