Could Full or Partial Student Loan Forgiveness be Coming Any Time Soon? It's Hard to Say

"Americans have a bit longer to take advantage of the pause on federal student loan payments thanks to a final extension from the U.S. Department of Education. But the extra time to pay back loans has prompted some to ask: Where do lawmakers stand on the student debt forgiveness debate?" The Columbus Dispatch reports

..."There are two main plans on the table, said Megan Coval, vice president of policy and federal relations at National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)."

..."Experts and advocates say elected officials and schools need to transform higher education altogether and solve the issue of student loan debt beyond just cancelling loan balances.

'A big question we have is what happens after this?' said Coval of the NASFAA. 'What happens to the students who graduate next year and the year after that? They're still in that system that's given everyone else this debt.'

Coval said NASFAA is focused on advocating for a more holistic approach to student debt forgiveness. That would include actions like simplifying the loan repayment process, increasing loan forgiveness for graduates that go into public service and doubling the federal Pell Grant amount, the main federal-aid program for needy students.

 

Publication Date: 8/18/2021

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