ED Makes State Visit to Highlight Continued Efforts Bolster PSLF
By Hugh T. Ferguson, NASFAA Senior Staff Reporter
The Department of Education (ED) recently participated in a roundtable discussion with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to highlight the ways in which the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program can be utilized by public servants, with the state committing to streamline the application process for eligible borrowers.
The talk took place on May 23 and is a continuation of the department’s efforts to engage with stakeholders on the limited waiver, which gives borrowers credit for prior completed payments that would not otherwise count toward PSLF, that remains in effect through October 31.
“Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Rich Cordray and I are pleased to support Governor Murphy’s efforts to ensure all eligible New Jersey residents get the student loan relief they have earned and deserve,” Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said. “I hope other states will follow suit by sharing with their residents the ways that they can take advantage of this opportunity.”
In the roundtable discussion, Murphy outlined the steps that his administration is taking to help more New Jersey public employees obtain student loan forgiveness.
“By working with our federal partners to streamline the application process and highlight recent changes that expand eligibility for PSLF, we will encourage more student loan borrowers to get involved in public service and take advantage of this helpful program,” Murphy said.
The state visit from ED officials is a continuation of efforts made by federal leaders to highlight these resources made available to borrowers.
In recent months, Sen. Bob Casey’s (D-Pa.) office provided an updated walkthrough of the PSLF program, and earlier this month Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who serves as chairman of the House Education and Labor committee, hosted a detailed webinar with Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) to walk students through the process of attaining student loan relief through PSLF.
ED encouraged stakeholders to continue to highlight the implementation and expanded eligibility under the department’s waiver.
During Monday’s discussion, David Socolow, executive director of the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), committed to use his network to “build awareness statewide about this important opportunity for federal student loan relief.”
Publication Date: 5/26/2022
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