College loan defaults continued to rise sharply, reaching record levels nationally and in Texas as borrowers fall further behind after the end of pandemic-era relief buffers. Associated Press reporting indicates 9.2 million borrowers are in default nationwide—up by millions since April 2025—while Texas alone has more than 20% of borrowers in default. The analysis ties the surge to repayment restarting after pauses and buffer periods ended, with a new downstream wave expected as policy changes remove or reduce more affordable income-driven options. Separate coverage shows how individual borrowers can be trapped in complex system errors and interest accruals even after bankruptcy filings, with advocates calling out administrative breakdowns. Together, the reporting reinforces that repayment policy shifts are translating into measurable hardship outcomes for borrowers and heightened compliance and communications demands for colleges and student-aid offices.