Higher Ed Policy Roundup: Vol. 5 - Issue 5

On Tuesday evening, when asked by an audience member at a CNN town hall about the cancelation of $50,000 of federal student loan debt per borrower, President Biden announced that his administration would not “…make that happen”. Recall that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have been urging the president to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for all federal student loan borrowers and to waive any tax liability for the forgiven loan amount. Biden did, however, reaffirm his support for the cancelation of $10,000 in federal student loans per borrower. On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the president will ask the Department of Justice whether he has the legal authority to cancel student debt.

Biden administration backs former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in student loan lawsuit.

The debate in Washington over student loan forgiveness hinges on two numbers: $10,000 vs. $50,000.

When will the forbearance on federal student loan payments end?

Colleges that hold student transcripts for small debts can deter on-time graduation. 

There were no relevant student-aid related bills recently introduced for consideration by the 117th Congress (2021-2022).