In a plot twist no one asked for, the Education Department has hit the brakes on certain student loan repayment plans, and let’s just say borrowers are not vibing with it. Thanks to a court ruling that packed some of the Biden administration’s initiatives into a neat little bow and tossed them into the shredder, the Trump administration has made it tougher on anyone looking for financial relief.

The real kicker? Any borrower’s shot at getting on an income-driven repayment plan just got a “suspenseful” makeover, as online and paper applications have been yanked from existence, like that one brunch invite you always seem to “forget”.

“This especially hurts anyone who’s lost their jobs, including federal workers,” declared Natalia Abrams, founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center. Could it get any worse? Oh, you bet it can! Not only are the forms unavailable, but those trying to recertify their income, like, hello!, might suddenly find themselves in hot water without any valid documentation. Like an awkward Tinder date, this situation leaves everyone confused.

And, as if the college debt drama couldn’t get more intense, layoffs are also taking place at the Education Department. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, the website for student loans took an hours-long bathroom break too. Talk about commitment issues!

“It’s been wave after wave of bad news for student borrowers,” says Aissa Canchola Bañez, a policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. If you’re a borrower trying to stay afloat amid this funding crisis, here’s what you need to do:

1. Check Your Loan Servicer and Know Your Options: Struggling with loans? It couldn’t hurt to reach out to your loan servicer to make sure you have everything sorted out before the deadline. Take screenshots of your status, because if you didn’t have evidence, did it even happen?

2. Find State-Specific Resources: Speaking to your Congressional representative could be your lifeline in this mess. They might just have your back, or at least pretend to.

3. Don’t Panic, Explore Options: Make sure your servicer considers your financial situation. Try asking about temporary forbearance or deferment if you find yourself facing the monthly payment blues.

Borrowers like Jessica Fugate and Debbie Breen are hitting the panic button as they deal with the aftermath of changed plans. “I was months away from ending this nightmare,” says Breen. That’s a sentiment fewer people should have to feel as they navigate the labyrinth of student loans that feels more like a cruel maze than a helpful system focused on education.

In conclusion, with all this chaos, the last thing borrowers need is to feel like just another number lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. This isn’t just about money; it’s about real lives and real futures that shouldn’t be left hanging in uncertainty.