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☆ The Education Department will transfer some student loan borrowers to a different servicer. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

J. David Ake | Getty ImagesIf your current federal student loan servicer is Mohela, or the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, the U.S. Department of Education said it will soon transfer some student loan borrowers to different servicers. Change impacts Mohela borrowersThe Education Department began transferring a portion of Mohela's borrowers this week to different companies, it said in an April 29 blog post. "A different servicer will begin managing these loans and assisting these borrowers," the department said. The Education Department contracts with different companies to service its federal student loans, including Mohela, Nelnet and EdFinancial. Why the transfer is happeningWhat borrowers should do amid transitionBorrowers who are being transferred to a different servicer should receive alerts from Mohela and their new servicer, the Education Dept.

Persons: David Ake, servicer, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: US Department of Education, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, U.S . Department of Education, Education Department, The Education Locations: Washington ,, Missouri, Mohela

☆ An important student loan forgiveness deadline is hours away — and it takes under 15 minutes to apply
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

urbazonSome student loan borrowers have until the end of Tuesday to take advantage of an opportunity to get their debt forgiven sooner than they would have otherwise. If these borrowers are enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan, it can mean that they're also on multiple different timelines to forgiveness. "This will ensure folks get the maximum number of months of credit towards student debt cancellation," Fox said. Usually, a student loan consolidation restarts a borrower's forgiveness timeline to zero, making it a terrible move for those working toward cancellation. You can apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan at StudentAid.gov or with your loan servicer.

Persons: Jane Fox, Fox, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: Biden, Finance, Cash, Family, Parent, Perkins, CNBC

☆ Climate change could cost Americans born in 2024 nearly $500,000 in their lifetime
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The October report found that around 13% of Americans reported economic hardship over the prior year due to climate change. Climate change could cost Americans born in 2024 nearly $500,000, due to higher taxes and pricier housing and food, among many other factors, ICF, a consulting firm, recently found in a report commissioned by Consumer Reports. Stan Honda | AFP | Getty ImagesOther health effects of climate change reflect more widespread shifts in global conditions. "There are clear interactions between heat waves and health conditions," said Charles Driscoll, a professor at Syracuse University who studies climate change. Climate change leads to droughts, which lead to crop failures, which cause food price spikes.

Persons: Chandan Khanna, Andrew Rumbach, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Wagner, Rumbach, Stan Honda, Charles Driscoll, Driscoll, Ringo H.W, Chiu, Mark Kantrowitz, Gernot Wagner Organizations: AFP, Getty, U.S . Department of, Treasury, Consumer Reports, Urban Institute, Bloomberg, U.S . Census, Insurance, Swiss Re Institute, Health, Natural Resources Defense, Syracuse University, International Labour Organization, Kaiser Family Foundation, of Labor Statistics, Columbia Business Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, U.S, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Florida , Louisiana, California, Hurricane, Queens, New York, Malibu, Malibu , Calif

☆ A key deadline for student loan forgiveness consolidation is just days away. Here's what to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Guido Mieth | DigitalVision | Getty ImagesBorrowers hoping for student loan forgiveness have just a few more days to act before an April 30 deadline. Those payments are typically lower than under the standard repayment plan, and can be zero in some cases. Usually, a student loan consolidation restarts a borrowers' forgiveness timeline, making it a terrible move for those working toward cancellation. What to know about consolidating your student loansAll federal student loans are eligible for consolidation, including Federal Family Education Loans, Parent Plus loans and Perkins Loans, Kantrowitz said. You can apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan at StudentAid.gov or with your loan servicer.

Persons: Guido Mieth, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Biden Organizations: DigitalVision, Getty, CNBC, Finance, Federal Family, Parent, Perkins Loans

☆ Some students are still struggling to access college aid amid ongoing FAFSA 'disaster'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As enrollment deadlines approach, fewer students have figured out how they will afford college next year. Ongoing problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid have delayed financial aid award letters and even prevented many high school seniors and their families from applying for aid at all. As of the latest update, roughly 7.3 million 2024-25 FAFSA applications have been submitted and sent to schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education, less than half of the more than 17 million students who use the FAFSA in ordinary years. Many institutions are now issuing aid with the information they have on hand, according to the Department of Education. "Students should know that they are not going through this alone, we will remain in regular communication with schools and students and encourage students to stay in touch with us and with their colleges," an Education Department spokesperson said.

Persons: Mark Kantrowitz, it's, Sandy Baum Organizations: Federal, Aid, U.S . Department of Education, Finance, Harvard, Urban Institute's Center, Education, Department of Education

☆ Biden’s new student loan forgiveness plan could start eliminating debts before the 2024 presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US President Joe Biden speaks about student loan relief at Madison College in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 8, 2024. Andrew Caballero-reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesThe Biden administration is moving ahead quickly with its new student loan forgiveness plan, with hopes of starting to wipe out people's debts as soon as this fall. Student loan forgiveness falls into that category, he said. Almost half of voters in a recent survey, or 48%, said canceling student loan debt is an important issue to them in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections. Issues like student loan forgiveness, which present a sharp contrast between Democrats and Republicans, are more likely to impact the election.

Persons: Joe Biden, Andrew Caballero, reynolds, Biden, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Gen, Donald Trump, Michael M, George W, Bush, Trump, Mark Organizations: Madison College, AFP, Getty, Republicans, Republican, Santiago, Public, Supreme Locations: Madison , Wisconsin, New York City

☆ Biden administration will soon roll out a sweeping new student loan forgiveness plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on canceling student debt at Culver City Julian Dixon Library on February 21, 2024 in Culver City, California. The Biden administration will soon roll out a sweeping new student loan forgiveness proposal that could impact millions of Americans. Almost half of all voters, or 48%, say canceling student loan debt is an important issue to them in the 2024 presidential and congressional elections, a recent survey found. Forgiving student debt could especially help Biden with young voters, a demographic he's been struggling with. Around 70% of Gen Z respondents said student debt cancelation was important to them in the election.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Biden, Joe Biden's, Mark Kantrowitz, Gen, cancelation Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Street, Finance Locations: Culver City , California, Madison , Wisconsin

☆ There's a key deadline in April for borrowers hoping to get student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Maria Korneeva | Moment | Getty ImagesThe Biden administration has set a key deadline for student loan borrowers hoping to get forgiveness. "The opportunity to consolidate loans will help many more borrowers to qualify for student loan forgiveness," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. In normal times, consolidating your student loans can be a terrible move for those hoping to get rid of their debt as your forgiveness timeline is restarted. What to know about consolidating your student loansAll federal student loans are eligible for consolidation, including Federal Family Education Loans, Parent Plus loans and Perkins Loans, Kantrowitz said. Consolidating your loans shouldn't increase your monthly payment, since your bill under an income-driven repayment plan is based on your earnings and not your total debt, Kantrowitz said.

Persons: Maria Korneeva, Biden, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: U.S . Department of, Finance, Harvard, Federal Family, Parent, Perkins Loans

☆ Biden wants to make student loan forgiveness tax-free permanently
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sara Stathas | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesHow student loan forgiveness used to be taxedBefore that Covid-era change, any student loan debt canceled by the government was considered taxable and levied at the borrower's normal income tax rate. The federal tax bill could be hefty. watch now'Replacing education debt with tax debt'Many student loan borrowers who get forgiveness aren't able to afford a tax bill, Kantrowitz said. If borrowers sign up for a payment plan with the IRS, they're merely "replacing education debt with tax debt," Kantrowitz said. Other student debt forgiveness plans, including a popular one for public servants and another that cancels the debt for those with serious disabilities, are already nontaxable.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sara Stathas, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, aren't, they're Organizations: Hillside Boys, Girls Club, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Milwaukee , Wisconsin

☆ White House targets 'junk fees' on student loans and other higher education costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening students, including moving to end origination fees on student loans. While most private lenders have done away with student loan origination fees, the federal government still charges them. Federal student loan borrowers can face expenses of 1% to 4% of their total borrowing amount. The White House said on Friday it considers these "junk fees," which it defined as "hidden costs or surprise fees that companies and institutions include on customer or student bills, increasing their costs." "By eliminating origination fees on federal student loans, borrowers should be able to borrow less to cover their costs," said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Biden, Joe Biden's, Betsy Mayotte, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Federal, Consumer, The, Student Loan Advisors, Finance Locations: Culver City , CA, California

☆ Biden touts 'fixed' student loan forgiveness programs in State of the Union. Here's what he meant
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Income-driven repayment plansIncome-driven repayment plans, which date to 1994, set borrowers' monthly payments based on a share of their discretionary income. "The loan servicers weren't keeping track of the number of qualifying payments," Kantrowitz said in a previous CNBC interview. watch nowThe Biden administration has been evaluating millions of borrowers' loan accounts to see if they should have had their debt forgiven. Most people with federal student loans qualify for income-driven repayment plans, and can review the options and apply at Studentaid.gov. Public Service Loan ForgivenessNavigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has been famously difficult.

Persons: Joe Biden, Shawn Thew, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Biden, George W, Bush Organizations: Chamber, Afp, Getty, CNBC, Education Department, Valuable Education, Public, Consumer Financial Locations: Washington ,

☆ After student loan forgiveness, the Education Dept. is sending some borrowers refunds. What to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

So far, almost 3.9 million borrowers have gotten their education debt erased, totaling $138 billion in relief . Under the U.S. Department of Education's income-driven repayment plans, student loan borrowers are entitled to get any of their remaining debt forgiven after 20 or 25 years. The companies earn a fee per borrower per month, which advocates say discourages transparency around loan forgiveness opportunities. "Loan servicers were not tracking the number of qualifying payments, and the automatic forgiveness was not occurring," Kantrowitz said. Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers, denied that the companies benefit by veering from the government's orders.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Mark Kantrowitz, servicers, Nadine Chabrier, Kantrowitz, he'd, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Biden, who've, Persis Yu Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Education Department, U.S . Department of Education, U.S . Department, Center for, Lending, The Education, Finance, IRS, Student Loan, Alliance, Student, Protection Locations: Culver City , California, U.S

☆ New FAFSA 'loophole' lets grandparents help pay for college without affecting financial aid eligibility
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Under the old FAFSA rules, assets held in grandparent-owned 529 college savings plans were not reported on the form, but distributions from those accounts counted as untaxed student income. Still, the idea of a loophole is not entirely new, according to Kalman Chany, a financial aid consultant and author of The Princeton Review's "Paying for College." "There were always planning strategies that families could use when it came to third-party 529 plans," Chany said. "Even with this change, you still need to look before you leap if grandparents are going to help pay for college," Chany said. The other advantages of 529 plans

Persons: Mark Kantrowitz, Michael Green, Green, Kalman Chany, Chany Organizations: IRS, slims, Apollon Wealth Management, Princeton Locations: Charleston , North Carolina

☆ New student loan repayment plan could make it easier for borrowers to become homeowners
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Row of townhouses in Alexandria, Virginia Grace Cary | Moment | Getty ImagesA new, more affordable repayment plan for federal student loan borrowers may come with another advantage: It could make it easier to become a homeowner. Half of student loan borrowers — including 60% of millennial borrowers — who haven't yet purchased a home say their education debt is delaying them from doing so, according to a 2021 report by the National Association of Realtors. Previously, someone who made $40,000 a year would have a monthly student loan payment of around $151. watch nowIn the past, most mortgage lenders assumed that a borrower's monthly student loan payment was a certain percentage of their loan balance, even if the actual payment was lower, Kantrowitz said. There's one catch: Many mortgage lenders won't use a $0 monthly student loan payment in their underwriting process, which the SAVE plan could leave many borrowers with.

Persons: Alexandria , Virginia Grace Cary, Biden, Mark Kantrowitz, Christelle Bamona, Barmona, Kantrowitz, Bamona Organizations: Valuable Education, National Association of Realtors, Here's, Center for, SAVE, Finance, Lending Locations: Alexandria , Virginia

☆ Amid rocky FAFSA rollout, Education Department looks to smooth the so-far bumpy debut — 'too little, too late,' expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday it is introducing a "FAFSA College Support Strategy" with additional personnel, funding, resources and technology to help colleges process the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms after the rollout was repeatedly complicated by a number of setbacks. "We are determined to get this right," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. However, the consensus among college financial aid administrators seems to be that it is "too little, too late," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. It will also offer a "concierge service" to answer questions from colleges about the new form and help schools drive FAFSA completion so students can get their aid packages in time. Last week, the Department of Education said colleges won't receive FAFSA applicant information until early March, instead of late January as initially estimated, potentially delaying financial aid award letters until April or later.

Persons: Education Miguel Cardona, Mark Kantrowitz, Biden Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Federal, Education, Finance, Department of Education

☆ FAFSA delays likely to slow college decisions. 'It's a real mess,' expert says. Here's what to do if your financial aid letter is late
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

For most students and their families, which college they will choose hinges on the amount of financial aid offered and the breakdown between grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans. This year, schools are now waiting on that FAFSA information to begin building financial aid packages and to give students and families enough time to weigh their options. "The delay in sending FAFSA data to colleges will cause college financial aid offers to be delayed until at least April, maybe even May." "Making an offer of admission without offering a full financial aid offer really isn't useful for most families," said Adam Miller, vice president for admission and financial aid at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. To do this, Whitman and other colleges would need to leverage the information families provided in their completed CSS Profile.

Persons: Mark, Mark Kantrowitz, Adam Miller, Whitman, Miller, Rick Castellano, Sallie Mae, Castellano Organizations: National College, Whitman College, College Board, Decision Locations: Walla Walla , Washington

☆ Despite Supreme Court ruling, Biden has forgiven student debt for millions. Is it enough for voters?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden talks to reporters as he departs the White House on June 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court's conservative majority in June ruled that President Joe Biden didn't have the authority to cancel student debt for millions of Americans. That alternative plan, which has become known as Biden's Plan B, could forgive student debt for as many as 10 million people, according to one estimate. "President Biden has done more to implement student loan forgiveness than any previous president," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. A spokesperson for the White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Joe Biden, Joe Biden didn't, He's, Biden, cancelation, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: House, Finance, U.S . Department of Education, White Locations: Washington ,

☆ Education Department's FAFSA inflation fix will free up $1.8 billion more in aid for students
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

watch nowThe U.S. Department of Education says it plans to update a key part of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid formula, which will result in $1.8 billion more in aid for college-bound students this year. The announcement comes weeks after the simplified FAFSA soft launched Dec. 30 after a monthslong delay. As a result, more middle- and higher-income students could qualify for a Pell Grant, a type of aid available to low-income families, added higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395. "Students on the edge of Pell Grant eligibility could be most affected," Kantrowitz said.

Persons: Justin Draeger, Pell Grant, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: U.S . Department of Education, Federal, Aid, National Association of Student Financial

☆ You may need to take extra steps to qualify for Biden's fast-tracked student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Pixdeluxe | E+ | Getty ImagesThe Biden administration announced last week that it would fast-track its plan to deliver student loan forgiveness for certain borrowers in its new repayment plan. "A borrower who is already enrolled in the SAVE plan should see this forgiveness automatically," Rubin said. Generally, only Direct loans qualify for the SAVE plan, including Direct subsidized, Direct unsubsidized and Direct PLUS loans. Once your debt is rolled into a Direct Consolidation Loan, you should be able to access the SAVE plan. "If a borrower currently has a loan in default, the defaulted loan is not eligible to be repaid under a SAVE plan," Rubin said.

Persons: Biden, Elaine Rubin, Rubin, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: U.S . Department of, Valuable Education, U.S . Department of Education, SAVE, Direct, Finance Locations: Edvisors

☆ Federal agency: Student loan company errors could 'pose serious risks' to borrowers, the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, speaks during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., Dec. 15, 2022. When student loan servicers make errors by cutting corners or sidestepping the law, it can "pose serious risks to individuals and the economy," said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra. Borrowers experienced long phone hold times with their servicers, significant delays in the processing of their repayment applications, and inaccurate and untimely billing statements, the bureau found. The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that it would withhold payments to three student loan servicers as part of its efforts to hold the companies accountable. "Today's actions make clear that the Biden-Harris Administration will not give student loan servicers a free pass for poor performance and missteps that jeopardize borrowers," Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Persons: Rohit Chopra, servicers, Mark Kantrowitz, Harris, Education Miguel Cardona Organizations: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee, Washington , D.C, Financial, U.S . Department of Education, Finance, Biden, Harris Administration, Education Locations: Washington ,, EdFinancial, Nelnet

☆ The new FAFSA will be available by Dec. 31 — what families need to know about the college financial aid form
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The earlier families fill out the form, the better their chances are of receiving aid, since some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds. However, that shouldn't prevent families from completing the FAFSA in the days that follow, he added. "While there may be some hiccups along the way, students and families should do what they need to do to file as soon as possible," he said. Up until now, "the multiple student adjustment has been the single most important data element affecting one's eligibility for federal student aid," Chany said. At the same time, the new FAFSA will raise the family income threshold, making more students eligible for federal need-based aid.

Persons: Rick Castellano, Sallie Mae, Castellano, What's, Kalman Chany, Chany, Pell Grant, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: IRS, slims, Department, Education, Princeton, CNBC

☆ Student loan borrowers should be aware of debt relief scams
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

It has been a frustrating and confusing time for many student loan borrowers. As payments restarted in October after a three-year break, borrowers were often given confusing or insufficient information on their accounts. "When borrowers have difficulty reaching their loan servicers or are disappointed by the lack of loan forgiveness, they look elsewhere for help," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. "Student loan scams fill the gap." At StudentAid.gov/repay, you can apply for different repayment plans, forgiveness programs and payment pause options for free.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mark Kantrowitz, Ari Lazarus, —, Kantrowitz Organizations: Finance, Federal Trade Commission, StudentAid.gov Locations: StudentAid.gov

☆ Now that federal student loan payments have resumed, here's what to consider before refinancing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But converting federal student loans into private debt can lead to the loss of a number of consumer protections, experts warn. Federal loans have more safeguardsThe most important thing to keep in mind when considering refinancing your federal student loans is that, should you move forward, your debt will be transferred to a private company, and become a private student loan. "Private student loans don't have the same benefits as federal student loans," Kantrowitz said. While federal student loan rates reset annually for new loans, they're fixed once disbursed. Federal student loan borrowers don't need to refinance to get a slightly better rate, Kantrowitz pointed out: Most student loan servicers will offer a 0.25% interest rate deduction when you sign up for automatic payments.

Persons: haven't, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Betsy Mayotte, I've, servicers Organizations: Student Loan, Alliance, Finance, cryptocurrency, U.S . Department of Education, Federal Reserve, The, Student Loan Advisors, Federal Locations: U.S, Mayotte

☆ Here's what we know so far about Biden's 'Plan B' for student loan forgiveness
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about administration plans to forgive federal student loan debt during remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 24, 2022. Leah Millis | ReutersPresident Joe Biden's new plan to forgive student debt is likely to look much different than his first. His administration has already started that process, and established a "Student Loan Debt Relief Committee" — including Wisdom Cole at the NAACP, Kyra Taylor at the National Consumer Law Center and several student loan borrowers — to hash out the details. Reach of relief could drop to 10% of borrowersNearly 40 million Americans stood to benefit from Biden's original student loan forgiveness plan. Less than 10% of federal student loan borrowers are likely to qualify this round, Kantrowitz said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Wisdom Cole, Kyra Taylor, Mark Kantrowitz, John Roberts, Kantrowitz, Luke Herrine, Herrine Organizations: White, Debt, NAACP, National Consumer Law Center, Finance, Biden, . Nebraska, University of Alabama, CNBC Locations: Washington , U.S, .

☆ Why it's now easier for student loan borrowers to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Richard Levine | Corbis News | Getty ImagesFor decades, it was nearly impossible for student loan borrowers to walk away from their debt in bankruptcy court. Congress has set a high bar for discharging student loan debt in bankruptcy. Under the new process, student loan borrowers complete a form to assist the government in evaluating their discharge request. "It makes it easier for student loan borrowers to qualify for bankruptcy discharge by clearly setting out the policy," said higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. Federal student loan borrowers have several ways to reduce their debt burden, including payment plans with $0 monthly payments and economic hardship and unemployment deferments.

Persons: Richard Levine, That's, Biden, —, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz Organizations: United State Bankruptcy Court Southern District of NY, Corbis, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S . Department of Education, American Bar Association, Consumer, Federal

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