Sharing another data point since this group has been so helpful. I graduated medical school in 2014 and worked for non profits since. I had a couple of months here and there of forbearance when my new yearly payments were being recalculated. As a result, when I hit 10 years in 2024 - I submitted for buyback. Specifically on September 25, 2024. I submitted another one on June 24, 2025. I also placed feedback cases for them as well. With going back and forth and two months of processing forbearance I got to the point where I had 119/120 months counted. So I applied for IBR multiple times with multiple hiccups of it not actually going through.
In February I was finally allowed to make a payment (that honestly seemed far too high and the wrong number, but screw it I paid it). I got forgiven in this last wave with fed loans showing a zero balance today. I also woke up to two emails about my two buyback requests saying:
“Thank you for submitting a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Reconsideration request. We have completed your PSLF buyback assessment.
Congratulations! All your federal student loans have met the requirements to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded (TEPSLF). Check your federal student loan servicer website for the most recent information on your loans. You may already see the PSLF or TEPSLF reflected. If you do not, it may take up some time for the PSLF or TEPSLF to show up on your account.
This buyback request is closed.”
I will probably be counted in the statistic of resolved buyback cases even though they never actually processed it. And no they don’t go back and retroactively realize you should’ve completed service before you made more payments to just be done with it and give you a refund.
Grateful to have completed this journey and good luck to everyone else!