The DeVos Borrower Defense Rules Are Back - What They 
Mean for Loans Between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023

If your federal student loans were disbursed between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023, you're likely subject to the controversial DeVos borrower defense rules—but not by design.

Here’s why: the 2022 Biden borrower defense rules, which were supposed to take effect on July 1, 2023, were blocked by a federal court injunction issued in August 2023. The Supreme Court granted review in January 2025, and a ruling is expected during the 2025–2026 term. Until then, prior rules are back, meaning the DeVos-era standard governs many claims.

⚠️ The Trump administration has since attempted to delay further processing of settlements like Sweet v. McMahon — but a federal judge rejected that delay request on December 12, 2025, upholding the April 15, 2026, deadline for post-class claims.

🚫 What Changed Under the DeVos Rules?

In 2019, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rewrote the borrower defense regulations. These rules, effective July 1, 2020, significantly narrowed eligibility and relief options.

Key changes include:

• ❌Higher burden of proof: Must show the school knowingly or recklessly misled you
• ❌ Individual-only claims: No group or automatic relief
• ❌ Financial harm only: Provable monetary loss; emotional distress doesn't count
• ❌Strict 3-year limit: Claims must be filed within 3 years of leaving school (exceptions apply)
• ❌ Partial relief is common: Relief is proportional to harm

🧾 What Qualifies as Misrepresentation?

Valid DeVos-era claims require:

• The school made false or misleading claims (job placement, accreditation, credit transfer, etc.)
• The school did so knowingly or recklessly
• You relied on the lie to enroll or borrow
• You suffered financial harm as a result

Examples:

• Job placement rates were exaggerated
• Credits didn’t transfer as promised
• Non-existent scholarships or forged signatures

📊 Current Status: Where Things Stand in December 2025

➡️ As of Dec 2025, processing continues slowly amid Trump-era administrative slowdowns.

📉 Relief Expectations: Full vs. Partial Forgiveness

• Partial relief is the norm under DeVos rules
• Example: You borrowed $20,000. ED deems education worth $12,000 → You get $8,000 forgiven
• Full relief is possible only if harm equals or exceeds loan amount

⚖️ Legal and Policy Landscape: 2025

• 🧑‍⚖️ SCOTUS Review: Review granted Jan 2025 for Biden’s 2022 rules. Decision pending during 2025–2026 term.
• 🏛️ Congressional Changes: The July 2025 reconciliation law delays or repeals multiple Biden-era relief policies — not just for BDTR but also Closed School Discharge. No specific 10-year delay timeline exists.
• ⏳ Sweet v. McMahon: Processing deadline for all post-class claims = April 15, 2026. No delays allowed per Dec 12 court ruling.
• 🐢 Processing Slowdowns: Trump administration delays are affecting BDTR, IDR forgiveness, and PSLF reviews.

🔁 Comparison Table: DeVos vs. Biden vs. Obama Rules

🔗 Other Forgiveness Programs to Explore

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness
• Closed School Discharge
• Total and Permanent Disability (TPD)

Browse through all relief programs here

⚠️ Don’t Wait — Check Eligibility Now

If your loans were disbursed from July 2020–June 2023, you're likely subject to DeVos rules — the strictest in student loan history.

⏰ Don’t miss the 3-year deadline.

✅Check your eligibility now ✅ Speak to a specialist before the window closes