Federal student loan changes took effect July 1, ending the SAVE repayment plan and altering other income-driven repayment options and graduate loan limits under President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Advocates warn the end of SAVE is expected to raise monthly payment costs for millions of borrowers, increasing default risk. The report notes that borrowers enrolled in SAVE will be notified and given 90 days to switch into another income-driven repayment plan, with advocates recommending early action due to processing delays. It also describes how auto-pay rate reductions are shifting in ways that may offer limited relief going forward and how new federal caps could affect affordability. Education Department figures cited in the article say about 9 million Americans were in default as of June, and hundreds of thousands more are behind or at risk. The policy shift is likely to strain student success and financial aid offices that manage outreach, recertification, and appeals. For universities, the immediate operational impact is clear: increased borrower counseling demand, more complex repayment transitions, and higher probability of enrollment and retention effects as affordability deteriorates.