The Policy and Politics of Student Loan Forgiveness

Almost everyone has an opinion about student loan forgiveness. But it's often more complicated than many think. There are seven federal student loan programs and 16 repayment options. Which programs might be included in the Biden administration's loan forgiveness plan, if it happens? When might it happen? With potentially 45 million borrowers involved, will the administration make a tradeoff between ease of implementation and the ability to target it? And with the midterms just six months away, what are the politics of loan forgiveness? Jon Fansmith and Terry Hartle (try) to answer these and other questions in a live recorded episode. Here are some links and references from this week's show: Biden Plunges Into the Risky Politics of Student Loan Debt The Washington Post (sub. req.) | May 15, 2022 OPINION: Student Debt Is Crushing. Canceling It for Everyone Is Still a Bad Idea. The New York Times (sub. req.) | May 14, 2022 Harder Than It Sounds: Income-targeted Student Loan Forgiveness Invites a ‘Train Wreck’ Politico | May 13, 2022 White House May Limit Student Loan Relief to Incomes under $125,000, Psaki Says Forbes | May 3, 2022 U.S. Forgives $6.8 Billion in Public Service Worker Student Loans Bloomberg | May 4, 2022 White House Officials Weigh Income Limits for Student Loan Forgiveness The Washington Post (sub. req.) | April 30, 2022 Biden's Latest Student Debt Move Will Bring 3.6 Million Borrowers Closer to Loan Forgiveness CNN | April 29, 2022 Schumer Calls on Biden to Cancel $50,000 in Student Debt for All CNBC | September 21, 2021 Can Biden Cancel Student Debt? Depends Who You Ask Inside Higher Ed | August 11, 2021