The U.S. Department of Education moved to operationalize consequences from the court-ordered end of the Biden-era SAVE plan, telling more than 7 million borrowers to prepare for repayment under a replacement structure. Notices begin arriving Friday, and servicers will start issuing guidance giving borrowers 90 days to select a new plan. The reporting underscores that for most borrowers, switching plans will mean higher monthly payments. With borrowers already in forbearance since July 2024 during the legal challenge, the transition creates a near-term budget shock for households relying on low or adjusted payment obligations. For higher education institutions, the change increases pressure on financial aid offices and student support teams to proactively counsel borrowers before repayment restart windows. Enrollment and retention impacts are likely to be most acute at campuses serving students with limited financial buffers. The Department’s move also signals that the federal repayment system’s stability remains highly contingent on litigation outcomes—meaning universities may need contingency advising playbooks tied to rapidly changing federal repayment rules.