美联社分析发现，在2025年4月至2026年3月期间，美国违约学生贷款的借款人数量激增超过420万人[1]。目前约有950万借款人处于违约状态，占借款人总数的五分之一以上[1]。
此轮违约潮主要源于疫情期间的支付冻结政策结束以及政府取消SAVE等可负担还款计划[1]，导致数百万借款人的月供大幅上涨。与此同时，87万借款人的贷款逾期已达181至270天，正处于违约边缘[1]。在营利性学校的借款人中，情况更为严峻，其中33%的人逾期至少90天[1]。
尽管特朗普政府在1月推迟了针对违约贷款的工资扣押计划[1]，但Moody's Analytics的报告警告称，工资扣押可能在未来一年内开始执行[1]，这可能进一步加剧经济脆弱性。
The number of Americans in default on federal student loans has surged dramatically, with more than 4.2 million borrowers falling into delinquency between April 2025 and March 2026, according to analysis by AP News [1]. This sharp increase brings the total number of borrowers in default status to approximately 9.5 million, representing more than one-fifth of all borrowers [1].
The spike follows the end of the pandemic-era payment freeze and the discontinuation of affordable repayment programs such as SAVE, which left millions of borrowers facing substantially higher monthly payments [1]. Contributing to the crisis, an additional 870,000 borrowers are between 181 and 270 days delinquent and approaching default status [1].
The Trump administration delayed wage garnishment proceedings against defaulted borrowers in January [1], but analysts warn such enforcement actions could resume within the coming year [1]. Moody's Analytics has cautioned that wage garnishments may begin within 12 months, potentially deepening economic strain on vulnerable households [1].
The impact has been particularly severe for borrowers of for-profit institutions, with 33 percent now at least 90 days overdue on their loans [1].