Groups Sign Letter to Push Forward Rulemaking on Student Debt Relief

In a bold move to alleviate the burden of student debt on millions of Americans, a coalition of organizations has signed a letter urging the Department of Education to accelerate the rulemaking process for student loan forgiveness and relief programs. The letter, sent to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, emphasizes the need for swift action to address the crippling debt crisis that has left many graduates and borrowers struggling to make ends meet.

The letter, signed by over 30 organizations, including the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Student Borrower Protection Center, highlights the critical need for reform in the current student loan system. The coalition argues that the Department of Education has a moral and legal obligation to implement policies that protect and benefit borrowers, rather than perpetuating a system that prioritizes profits over people.

The letter specifically calls for the Department to prioritize several key policy reforms, including:

Implementing the Biden Administration’s proposed loan forgiveness program for public service workers

Strengthening the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to ensure that borrowers can have their debts forgiven after meeting the program’s requirements

Increasing the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) payment cap to ensure that borrowers are not penalized for entering the workforce or switching careers

Improving borrower communications and transparency to prevent borrowers from being misled or misinformed about their loan repayment options

The coalition argues that these reforms are essential to addressing the systemic issues that have led to the crisis of student debt, including predatory lending practices, administrative burdens, and lack of transparency. By pushing for these reforms, the coalition aims to ensure that borrowers are treated with dignity and fairness, and that the education system is designed to support, rather than burden, individuals seeking to pursue their education.

The letter is a powerful reminder of the growing momentum around student debt relief and the need for policymakers to take action. With millions of borrowers struggling to make ends meet, the clock is ticking for the Department of Education to act on behalf of those who are pleading for relief. The coalition’s letter serves as a call to action, urging the Department to put the needs of borrowers first and to prioritize the long-term solution of student debt relief.

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