WASHINGTON - Today, the Biden administration announced the cancellation of nearly $5 billion in student debt for an additional batch of 74,000 borrowers. This move is a targeted relief effort after the Supreme Court blocked a more expansive $400 billion loan forgiveness plan in June 2023.
The debt forgiveness is particularly beneficial for public servants including teachers and nurses with ten years' tenure, addressing long-term repayment challenges faced by these individuals. The Department of Education (ED) confirmed that about 44,000 public sector workers will receive forgiveness under Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
In addition to this, almost 30,000 long-term payers who missed out on income-driven repayment (IDR) plan benefits are also included. The distribution includes $1.7 billion for adjustments to IDR affecting 29,700 borrowers and an additional approval of $45.7 billion in IDR relief for over 930,500 individuals. Furthermore, PSLF adjustments contribute another $3.2 billion aiding 43,900 borrowers.
To date under this administration, over $136.6 billion was forgiven through various avenues for about 3.7 million people; around $42 billion through IDR plans aiding approximately 855,000; and $11.7 billion for nearly half a million disabled borrowers.
Earlier this week, the administration also enhanced the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan (SAVE). This plan expedites debt forgiveness for those consistently paying off initial loans up to $12,000 for over a decade, providing further relief for borrowers. The SAVE plan has seen participation from almost seven million individuals.
Secretary Cardona reiterated the dedication to helping public servants and those qualifying under IDR forgiveness schemes as part of ongoing efforts to provide student debt relief. These measures come as a part of President Biden's alternatives under the Higher Education Act of 1965 following judicial opposition to his broad loan absolution proposal.
However, critics voice concerns regarding fairness and the failure to confront soaring educational expenses directly through these policies. They argue that these measures, while providing relief to some, do not address the overall problem of a total of $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt burdening some 43 million Americans.
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