The Biden administration has been working to provide student loan forgiveness to millions of borrowers through targeted initiatives and new programs. Collectively, these efforts have led to over $153 billion in loan forgiveness, with more relief potentially on the way. However, navigating the complex student loan system amid these changes can pose challenges for borrowers.
One of the current initiatives, the IDR Account Adjustment, has approved over $49 billion in loan forgiveness for nearly a million borrowers. This temporary program speeds up loan forgiveness for those enrolled in income-driven repayment plans, counting past periods of loan repayment that may not have been considered for forgiveness previously. Eligible borrowers do not need to submit a formal application, as the Education Department is automatically implementing relief for government-held federal student loans.
Another program affected by recent changes is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which can provide relief in as little as 10 years for those working in qualifying public service positions. The Biden administration has made significant changes to PSLF, requiring borrowers with non-Direct loans to consolidate through the Direct loan program. The PSLF application system will be temporarily shut down starting on May 1st, with processing resuming in July.
The Total and Permanent Disability discharge program has also seen updates under the Biden administration, resulting in over $14 billion in loan forgiveness for close to 550,000 borrowers. This program can forgive federal student loan debt for those unable to maintain significant employment due to a disabling medical condition. The application process has been expanded to include more types of medical providers and categories of individuals who can qualify for relief.
The Borrower Defense to Repayment program, which allows borrowers to request a discharge for school misconduct, has approved over $22 billion in loan forgiveness for more than a million borrowers. The Biden administration updated regulations for this program last summer, providing additional avenues for relief. However, a legal challenge has resulted in these new regulations being blocked, leaving many applications in limbo until the legal process is resolved.
President Biden recently announced a new student loan forgiveness plan, designed to replace a program struck down by the Supreme Court last year. Under the new initiative, many borrowers may receive automatic loan forgiveness based on their circumstances. While some borrowers may still need to submit an application for forgiveness, the details of the application process are not yet available. The new program is expected to launch by this fall, pending completion of necessary steps and potential legal challenges.
