WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Education announced on Friday a final extension of its pause on student loan payments until Jan.
31, 2022. "The Department believes this additional time and a definitive end date will allow borrowers to plan for the resumption of payments and reduce the risk of delinquency and defaults after restart," according to a department news release. "The payment pause has been a lifeline that allowed millions of Americans to focus on their families, health, and finances instead of student loans during the national emergency," said U.S.