When Do I Need to Recertify Student Loans?
Understand when and how to recertify your student loans to maintain accurate income-driven repayment plan payments and avoid issues.
Student loan recertification is a periodic process for borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. These plans, such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE), and Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), calculate monthly loan payments based on an individual’s income and family size. Recertification involves providing updated financial and household information to ensure that monthly payments accurately reflect a borrower’s current financial circumstances. This update is necessary to maintain eligibility for the IDR plan and continue receiving its benefits.
Annual Recertification Requirements
Borrowers in an IDR plan must recertify their income and family size every 12 months. This annual review ensures payments align with a borrower’s ability to pay, adjusting for any changes in their financial situation. Even without income or household changes, annual recertification is mandatory to continue on the IDR plan.
Loan servicers notify borrowers of their upcoming recertification deadline at least three months in advance. This notification reminds borrowers to gather necessary documentation and initiate the recertification process before the due date. Submitting the information at least 35 days prior to the deadline helps ensure the new payment amount is reflected on the next billing statement.
Failing to recertify annually can lead to significant consequences for borrowers. Monthly payments may revert to a standard 10-year repayment plan amount, often much higher than an IDR payment. For some IDR plans, like IBR, unpaid interest may be capitalized, added to the principal balance. This increases the total loan amount and the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Missing the recertification deadline can also jeopardize progress toward student loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or IDR forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments. Some plans may keep you on the IDR plan with a higher payment; others, like SAVE, might remove you and place you on an alternative plan not based on income. Stay informed about the specific implications for your particular IDR plan.
Situations Requiring Early Recertification
While annual recertification is standard, certain life events may allow borrowers to recertify their income and family size earlier than their scheduled annual due date. A common reason for early recertification is a significant decrease in income. If a borrower experiences job loss, reduced work hours, or another substantial drop in earnings, they can submit updated information to potentially lower monthly payments.
An increase in family size also warrants early recertification. Adding a child through birth or adoption can affect discretionary income calculation, potentially reducing the monthly payment amount. Updating this information ensures the payment reflects the new household size.
Other material financial changes, such as a spouse leaving the household if their income was included, might also justify an early review. Early recertification in these situations can provide immediate relief by adjusting the payment to a more affordable level for the subsequent 12 months. Borrowers experiencing these changes should contact their loan servicer to initiate early recertification and adjust payments.
Information Needed for Recertification
Recertification requires gathering specific financial and personal details to accurately update your IDR plan. Income information is most commonly verified through your most recently filed federal income tax return. Borrowers can consent for the Department of Education to access tax information directly from the IRS using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This method streamlines the process and reduces manual document submission.
If income has changed significantly since your last tax return, or if you did not file taxes, alternative documentation may be required. This can include recent pay stubs (typically from the last 90 days) or an employer letter verifying current income. If unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, proof of this income is needed. For those with no taxable income, the online application may allow self-certification.
Beyond income, report your current family size. This includes yourself, children receiving over half their support from you, and other individuals living with you who receive over half their support from you. If married, your spouse’s income and information may also be required, depending on how you filed your taxes and the specific IDR plan. Your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID is also necessary for accessing the online recertification portal.
The Recertification Submission Process
Once information and documentation are collected, borrowers can submit their recertification. The most common and often quickest method is to complete the process online through StudentAid.gov. After logging in with your FSA ID, navigate to the income-driven repayment section to recertify your IDR plan.
The online portal guides you through verifying personal details, employment status, family size, and income. You can provide consent for the IRS to automatically transfer your tax information, which can simplify future annual recertifications. After reviewing all entered information for accuracy, the application can be electronically signed and submitted.
Alternatively, borrowers can submit recertification via mail or fax by downloading and completing the Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request form. This paper form requires attaching physical copies of income documentation. The completed form and documents should be sent to your loan servicer’s designated address or fax number. Keep a copy of your submission and note the date sent for your records.
After submission, your servicer will typically confirm receipt, and you can usually monitor the status of your application through your servicer’s online portal. Processing times can vary, and it is prudent to follow up if you do not receive confirmation within a few weeks. Due to recent administrative changes, many recertification dates have been extended to at least February 2026. Check StudentAid.gov for the latest guidance.