Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used

Federal law limits Pell Grant eligibility to a lifetime maximum of 600%, or roughly 12 semesters (six years) of full-time study, known as the Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). Once a student’s LEU reaches or exceeds 600%, they are no longer eligible for further Pell Grant funds, which can be monitored via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

SAVE Plan No Longer Available

A federal court issued a significant ruling on March 10, 2026 that affects income-driven repayment (IDR) plans for federal student loan borrowers. Here’s what you need to know.

The court order prevents the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. This means:

• SAVE Plan enrollment is blocked
• SAVE Plan payment calculations cannot be used
• SAVE Plan interest subsidies are invalidated
• SAVE Plan loan discharges are affected

These Plans Still Work

The court order affirms these income-driven repayment plans:

• Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
• Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)
• Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

What Borrowers Must Do Now

If you have loans in forbearance because you enrolled in or applied for the SAVE Plan, you must select a new repayment plan. If you don’t act, your loan servicer will automatically move you to a different plan.

Action Items for Affected Borrowers

1. Select a New Repayment Plan – Use the Repayment Calculator to find the best option for your situation
2. Apply for IBR, ICR, or PAYE – These plans are still available and processing applications
3. Sign Up for Auto Pay – Save 0.25% on your interest rate by enrolling in automatic payments
4. Provide Tax Information Consent – This speeds up applications and enables automatic annual recertification

What Was Invalidated?

The court action invalidated most of the July 2023 rule “Improving Income Driven Repayment,” including:

• SAVE Plan and REPAYE Plan payment formulas
• SAVE Plan discharges and interest subsidies
• Weighted average payment calculations for consolidation loans
• Defaulted borrower access to IBR Plan

One Provision That Remains

The court order preserves one provision from the July 10, 2023 rule, though the specific details weren’t fully outlined in the announcement.

Bottom Line

Act now to select a repayment plan that meets your goals. Don’t wait for your servicer to assign you a plan automatically. Contact your loan servicer to discuss your options and ensure you’re on the right track for repayment.

This information is based on the official Federal Student Aid announcement. For the most current updates, check studentaid.gov regularly as the Department of Education continues to provide new information.

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-court-actions

Update: For SAI (Student Aid Index)

The latest update is now available for download. The WP Net Price Calculator has been updated with comprehensive calculations for the Student Aid Index (SAI). This significant release includes a substantial reduction in the number of questions required from users, making the process more streamlined and efficient. Additionally, the calculator now incorporates Pell Grant awards into its calculations, providing students with more accurate and complete financial aid estimates. This version offers improved functionality and a better user experience while maintaining the tool’s commitment to helping students understand their potential financial aid eligibility and net price.