
In a significant move to alleviate student debt, President Joe Biden’s administration announced on January 13, 2025, the cancellation of student loans for more than 150,000 borrowers. This action brings the total number of Americans who have had their student debt forgiven under the current administration to over 5 million, Reuters reported.
In December, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and over 70 other members of Congress, addressed a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The letter urged him to “immediately discharge the student loans for the hundreds of thousands of students who the Department has already committed to providing borrower defense debt relief,” according to Fox Business.
“Since Day One of my Administration, I promised to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, and I’m proud to say we have forgiven more student loan debt than any other administration in history,” Biden said in a statement, according to Politico.
Targeted Relief for Specific Groups
According to a statement from Biden, per Fox Business, the latest debt relief includes:
- Nearly 85,000 borrowers who attended institutions found to have defrauded their students.
- 61,000 borrowers with total and permanent disabilities.
- 6,100 public service workers.
This targeted approach aims to support individuals who have faced significant challenges in repaying their student loans.
Total Debt Relief Reaches $183.6 Billion
Since taking office, the Biden administration has implemented 28 debt relief actions, collectively canceling $183.6 billion in student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. The recent relief amounts to over $4.2 billion, further reducing the financial burden on affected individuals.
Legal Challenges and Future Considerations
Despite these efforts, the administration’s broader student loan forgiveness plan faced legal hurdles, including a Supreme Court decision blocking the cancellation of up to $20,000 in student debt per person. The forthcoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump has expressed intentions to reverse these initiatives, adding uncertainty to the future of student loan relief programs.
Ongoing Support for Borrowers
Education Department officials have confirmed that efforts to notify eligible borrowers of their loan discharges are ongoing. The department continues to process applications and provide support to those seeking debt relief.