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The Biden Administration announced $39 billion in automatic loan forgiveness to 804,000, according to a July 14 press release from the U.S. Department of Education. This wave of student loan forgiveness is separate from the forgiveness plan outlined in August 2022 that the Supreme Court recently struck down in June 2023. Under Secretary James Kvaal said in the statement that "millions of borrowers had earned loan forgiveness but never received it." Who qualifies for the Biden Administration's student loan forgiveness? With the Biden administration's widespread student debt relief blocked by the Supreme Court, the future of student loan forgiveness is currently on hold.

Persons: James Kvaal, Kamala Harris, Mark Kantrowitz, they've, accrual Organizations: Biden Administration, U.S . Department of Education, Supreme Court, Federal, Department of Education, Biden, CNBC, of Education, Department, Education, Supreme, The, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter

☆ Over 800,000 student-loan borrowers are getting their debt wiped out in the coming months. Here's what other borrowers should know if they also want that relief.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department announced $39 billion in debt relief for over 800,000 borrowers. On Friday, President Joe Biden's Education Department announced that over 800,000 student-loan borrowers will receive $39 billion in debt relief in the coming months thanks to a one-time adjustment to accounts enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. Here's what borrowers should know if they want to benefit from the relief. How to make sure your loans qualifyThe account adjustment only applies to direct federal loans and FFEL loans held by the Education Department. How to get a refund if a borrower overpaysOnce a borrower reaches the repayment threshold, they automatically qualify for forgiveness.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Education Department —, you'll Organizations: Education Department, Service, Joe Biden's Education Department, Family Education, Federal Student Aid Locations: Wall, Silicon, PAYE

529 College Savings PlansI’m a parent of a toddler. What are the implications of following these two approaches: Gamble on financial aid, or be unethical? — A California readerThere are many misconceptions about how 529 college savings plans will affect a prospective student’s eligibility for financial aid, but your initial hunch was correct. If the 529 account is owned by a grandparent or another relative, it is not included in financial aid calculations. Some good news: Grandparent withdrawals will no longer be reported on the upcoming financial aid form, released in December for the 2024-25 academic year, financial aid and 529 experts said.

Persons: Gamble, it’s Organizations: Federal Student Aid Locations: California

☆ Over 7,100 student-loan borrowers will get $3.5 million in refunds after a debt relief company was accused of illegally charging them up to $699 in fees to reduce their federal balances, a consumer wa
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

7,100 borrowers will receive $3.5 million worth of checks in the mail after the CFPB said they were scammed. The CFPB accused Timemark, a debt relief company, of illegally charging federal borrowers fees. Scams are likely to grow following the Supreme Court decision to strike down student-debt relief. According to the bureau, Timemark charged borrowers "illegal advance fees" to reduce their federal student-loan balances when the Education Department offers those services for free. Over the past few years, the CFPB — along with the Federal Trade Commission — have scrutinized a range of student-debt relief companies over potential fraudulent behavior.

Persons: Timemark, —, Joe Biden's, scammers Organizations: Service, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Timemark, Inc, Education Department, Epiq Systems, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Federal Locations: Timemark

☆ Scammers are taking advantage of the confusion around student loans after SCOTUS axed Biden's debt forgiveness plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

After the Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, scammers are taking advantage. The Federal Trade Commission issued a notice warning against giving away student loan information. Student loan payments are set to resume in October, though there could be some flexibility for borrowers. and if a "caller/texter asks for your Federal Student Aid ID, bank account number, or credit card information." In the meantime, payments on federal student loans are set to resume in October.

Persons: Joe Biden's, —, you've, scammers, John Roberts, Biden, Roberts, John M, Formella Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Service, Federal, FTC, Department of, Federal Communications Commission, Aid, Education Department, . New Hampshire, FCC Locations: StudentAid.gov, . New

☆ AOC says student-loan borrowers 'should not be incurring interest' for at least a year after payments resume as she calls on Biden to 'consider' altering his plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"I would like to see interest payments suspended during this time, especially during that 12-month ramp-up period," Ocasio-Cortez said. People should not be incurring interest during this 12-month on-ramp period, so I highly urge the administration to consider suspending those interest payments." "Of course, we still believe in pursuing student-loan cancellation and acting faster than that 12-month period wherever possible," she added. Biden has not yet commented on those requests, but the Education Department recommends borrowers make payments because interest is set to accrue a month before payments begin again in October. "However, the Secretary has directed his staff to explore policy options for debt relief that will help as many people as possible."

Persons: Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Biden, —, Joe Biden's, Cortez isn't, Ro Khanna, it's Organizations: Service, Supreme Court, CNN, ABC News, Higher, Education, Department, Federal Locations: Rep, Alexandria, California

☆ These risk factors suggest borrowers could struggle when student loan payments resume, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

People line up outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2023. Kent Nishimura | Los Angeles Times | Getty ImagesMany student loan borrowers face risk factors that suggest they could struggle covering their bills, especially after the Supreme Court struck down President Biden's federal student loan forgiveness proposal and repayment will resume in October. "I wasn't necessarily surprised," said Stedman, who graduated from college in 2013 with just under $40,000 in student loan debt. For his part, Stedman said he's found his student loan debt to be a "challenge" since graduation. 3 things to consider as loan payments resume

Persons: Kent Nishimura, Colton Stedman, Biden, Stedman, —, Jack Wallace, Yrefy, he's, It's, Wallace Organizations: Washington , D.C, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Consumer Financial, Bureau, South Saint, Finance, Governors, Federal Reserve System, College Board Locations: Washington ,, South, South Saint Paul , Minnesota, U.S, Yrefy

Student debt relief activists stand in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)The Supreme Court on Friday rules against President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, prohibiting up to $20,000 in loan relief per borrower from proceeding. The plan, first announced in August 2022, would have forgiven $10,000 for all federal student loan borrowers and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients who earn less than $125,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples). The Biden administration has also recently beefed up existing programs, making it easier to qualify for student loan relief. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) has become easier for federal borrowers to obtain under the Biden administration.

Persons: Kevin Dietsch, Joe Biden's, Biden, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, Pell Grant, servicers Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Higher Education, Department of Education, Federal, Aid Locations: Washington ,

☆ Supreme Court block of Biden’s student loan forgiveness could cause college enrollment to fall, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

At four-year private colleges, it now costs $39,400, according to the College Board, which tracks trends in college pricing and student aid. Many students borrow to cover the tab, which has already propelled collective student loan debt in the U.S. past $1.7 trillion. The share of parents taking out federal parent PLUS loans to help cover the costs of their children's college education has also grown, NerdWallet found. High schoolers are also putting more emphasis on career training and post-college employment, a recent report by ECMC Group found. How to avoid taking on too much student debt

Persons: Sarah Foster, NerdWallet, Parker O'Neill Organizations: College Board, Bankrate.com, The Institute, College, National Center for Education Statistics, Century College, ECMC Group Locations: U.S, White Bear Lake , Minnesota

☆ How to Pay Off Your Student Loans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Rebecca Safier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

Here’s how to pay off student loans in a way that works for your budget and goals. Look into specialized loan forgiveness programsWhile the Supreme Court hasn’t shared its ruling on Biden’s widespread forgiveness initiative yet, there are other options for loan discharge, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness. You can pay off federal student loans early, as there’s no student loan prepayment penalty. If you want to retain access to federal protections, it wouldn’t make sense to refinance your federal student loans. In the end, there’s no single right way to pay off student loans faster.

Persons: Rebecca Safier, Biden’s, ”, Robert Farrington, you’re, you’ve, Michael Lux, “, Farrington, Autopay, servicers, autopay, servicer Nelnet, hasn’t, Adam Minsky, You’ll, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: Education Department, College Investor, millennials, Federal, Aid, Grad, Student Loan Sherpa, Student Aid, autopay, Peace Corps, Corinthian, Education Locations: “, SavingforCollege.com

☆ Biden's Education Department is 'ill prepared' to resume student-loan payments for millions of borrowers in 3 months, 2 GOP lawmakers say — and they're demanding 'proof' of a repayment strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Student-loan payments are set to resume in October. GOP Rep. Foxx and Sen. Cassidy asked the Education Department for its strategy on the resumption. They said they're concerned the department is "ill prepared" to transition borrowers back into repayment. Two Republican lawmakers want to know how the Education Department is preparing for that to happen. Since March 2020, federal student-loan payments — and interest — have been on pause to provide borrowers with financial relief during the pandemic.

Persons: Foxx, Sen, Cassidy, they're, —, Joe Biden's, Miguel Cardona, Biden, Virginia Foxx, Bill Cassidy, Cardona, Mr Organizations: GOP, Education Department, Service, Department, Politico, Federal Student

☆ DeSantis sues Biden administration over education standards that control access to federal student loans, in early sign about his plans for colleges if he's elected president
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ron DeSantis of Florida is suing the Biden administration over a federal law requiring colleges and universities to get a quality stamp of approval from certain accrediting agencies. The association recently threatened Florida State University's accreditation when it was considering hiring Richard Corcoran, the state's former education commissioner, as its university president. Ron DeSantis signs a Florida education bill into law. 1 in higher education, largely because of its high graduation rates and low tuition. More broadly, Republicans have developed a hostile relationship with higher education institutions in recent years, viewing them as aligned with liberal policies and even decrying them as "Marxist."

Persons: DeSantis, Biden, —, Ron DeSantis, We're, they're, accreditors, Richard Corcoran, Ashley Moody, Moody, Douglas R, Clifford, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Gov, Biden, US Department of Education, Hillsborough Community College, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Colleges, Department of Education, Florida State, University of Florida, United States, Court, Southern District of, White, Florida Gov, Tampa Bay Times, AP, US News, The Education Department, New College of Florida, Republicans Locations: Florida, Tampa , Florida, Texas, Virginia, Fort Lauderdale, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Tampa, Sarasota

If you plan to attend graduate school, it's important to understand the costs up front. As a graduate student, relying on grants, scholarships, and fellowships is better than taking out loans to pay for school. As you gear up for graduate school, it's time to find grants, scholarships, and fellowships to cover the cost. Example comparing school costs with and without grant and scholarship aidPaying for graduate school is often not as simple as finding a single grant to cover the entire cost. Alternative ways to pay for grad schoolGrants and scholarships aren't the only way to pay for school.

Persons: —, Trinity Owen, you'll Organizations: Service, Federal Student Aid, Fulbright, College Board

☆ A key driver behind ballooning student-loan balances is about to come back after a 3-year pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Student-loan payments, and interest, have been on pause for over three years. Interest has been a key driver of surging student-loan balances due to capitalization. "I feel like I've actually been responsible, and I've paid a considerable amount of money on my student loans," Wise said. "The only policy that has ever ended this debt cycle is the repayment pause, and the cycle is all but guaranteed to restart once the repayment pause comes to an end." "It would be political malpractice to have students repay student loans under Biden when Trump provided the relief," California Rep. Ro Khanna told The Washington Post.

Persons: —, David Wise, I've, Wise, Miguel Cardona, Joe Biden, Biden, " Cardona, Trump, Ro Khanna Organizations: Service, Education Department, Supreme, Jain, Institute, Federal Student Aid, Congress, Democratic, Biden, Washington Post Locations: California

☆ Over 14 million student-loan borrowers will resume payments this year under new companies — and that'll further 'complicate' the repayment process, a federal consumer watchdog says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

14 million student-loan borrowers could resume payments under a new servicer, the CFPB said in a new report. It could "complicate" the repayment process due to confusion on where the debt is owed, per the report. According to the report, 44%, or 14 million, student-loan borrowers in the bureau's sample will have their loans managed by at least one new student-loan company when payments resume, which could "complicate" the process. Additionally, the bureau found that about one in five borrowers in its sample have "risk factors" that suggest they could struggle when payments resume. "I'm in this limbo period not really knowing what's going on with my student loans," he said.

Persons: —, delinquencies, MOHELA, I'm Organizations: Service, Education Department, Consumer Financial, Public, Federal Student Aid, — Locations: autopay

☆ One of the government's biggest initiatives to make it easier to take out student loans for grad school backfired and made tuition more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Graduate student debt now accounts for 47% of new student loans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Federal graduate student loans have no effective cap unlike undergraduate loans, which are capped at $57,500 in Federal Student Aid. This has been the case since 2006, when federal graduate student loans were capped at $18,500. The average student debt for a master's degree for the 1999-2000 school year came in at $36,600, compared with $55,540 in 2016. The bipartisan debt-ceiling deal mandates student loan payments must resume by Aug. 30.

Persons: Biden's, —, Sandra Black, Lesley Turner, Jeffrey Dunning, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden Organizations: Street, Service, Research, Grad PLUS, Universities, Congressional, Federal, Federal Student Aid, Congress, CBO, Grad, Biden, Secretary, Republican, Street Journal, White, Politico, Department Locations: Texas

☆ Biden vetoed a GOP-led attempt to overturn his plan to forgive student-loan debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden vetoed a GOP-led effort to block his student debt relief. The Supreme Court is also due to consider the legality of Biden's plan by the end of June. "But when it comes to hard-working Americans trying to get ahead, dealing with student debt relief, that's where they drew the line," he said. Conservatives have argued that the debt-relief measure is unfair on people who didn't go to college but still have debts. But despite Biden's veto, the debt-relief measure is not home and dry.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Biden, Donald Trump, Pell Grant, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Kevin Hern, Sens, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy Organizations: GOP, Service, Twitter, Biden, Congressional, Office, Lawmakers

☆ Oxford, but Not That Oxford: How a Tiny For-Profit School Suddenly Got Big
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Emma Bubola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Money, money, money,” said Stefan Lespizanu, a former recruiter for Oxford Business College. Whole families signed up, helping turn a vocational school of 41 students atop a Chinese restaurant into a for-profit juggernaut. Oxford Business College, unaffiliated with the elite school nearby, now has several campuses and more than 8,000 students. Years of free-market changes to British higher education have created opportunities for for-profit schools like Oxford Business College. Through opaque partnership deals with publicly funded universities, schools can offer undergraduate degrees and get access to the British government’s student aid.

Persons: ”, Stefan Lespizanu, ‘ Organizations: Oxford Business College, ”, Facebook

☆ What is a 529 plan? How you can score a tax break while saving for future college expenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And what better time to think about a college savings account than 529 College Savings Day? Unlike college costs, however, your 529 plan funds can only go toward tuition for primary and high school. On top of tax-free growth, some states allow taxpayers to deduct or get a credit for 529 plan contributions on their taxes. Drawbacks of 529 savings plansOne of the main drawbacks of saving in a 529 plan is that you owe a penalty if you use the funds for an ineligible expense. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does take 529 plan savings into account when determining your expected family contribution (EFC), but not at face value.

If your school suspends your financial aid, you may be able to appeal the decision and get it back. Many schools require that students maintain a minimum GPA and complete a minimum number of credits per semester to qualify for financial aid." "They know that if students get less financial aid, then they will be less likely to stay and graduate." Components of a financial aid suspension appeal letterThe exact financial aid suspension appeal process varies by college, but your school may have a form you'll need to fill out to get the ball rolling. Financial aid suspension appeal letter exampleYou'll want to format your appeal letter much like a cover letter — with a header, date, and formal greeting.

☆ The GOP's bill to permanently block Biden's student-debt relief could cause public servants' loan balances to unexpectedly balloon if it passes, advocacy groups say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The SBPC and AFT released a report analyzing the impacts of a GOP bill to overturn student-debt relief. GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx rejected that idea during a hearing last week as Democrats said loans would be reinstated under the bill. However, the text of the CRA statute could suggest the GOP bill might do far more than block Biden's broad debt relief and the student-loan payment pauses. "This resolution will unwind debt relief already delivered to hundreds of thousands of public service workers across the country. The report also estimates that two million public servants making progress toward payments in PSLF could lose "at least some progress toward relief."

☆ Meet a teacher with $44,000 in student debt who is worried she'll be thrown back into repayment in a few months without the public service relief she was promised
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Cherie Vaughn, 57, has $44,000 in student debt after working in public service for decades. But she's worried her account will not be up to date before student-loan payments resume this year. That's even after serving nearly three decades in public service, making her eligible for full loan forgiveness. "I guess I'm just looking for the actual public service part of this loan forgiveness. Do you have a story to share about student debt?

☆ Biden's Education Department just released its 'strongest-ever' plan to ensure student-loan borrowers don't graduate with unaffordable debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Education Department released its new proposal for a strengthened gainful employment rule. The rule would place safeguards for borrowers to ensure they don't take on more student debt than they can afford. "Ever since the Trump Administration illegally repealed the 2014 Gainful Employment rule, students have been left unprotected from predatory higher ed profiteers," Ament said. The gainful employment rule has drawn criticism from for-profit schools in the past who have argued that they were being targeted by the strengthened regulations. Democratic lawmakers have previously pushed for a strengthened gainful employment rule.

☆ Biden promised student-loan borrowers cheaper payments and more debt relief. The government might not have enough money for everyone to actually get those benefits.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

With broad student-debt relief, many student-loan borrowers anticipate reforms to payment programs. Congress didn't increase funding for Federal Student Aid last year, and the impacts already show. Federal student-loan borrowers are facing a consequential year ahead. Alex Wong/Getty Images'We really need to be worried and concerned'The issue of a lack of funding, and how it impacts student-loan borrowers, has been on some Democratic lawmakers' radars. "That's why I'll continue to fight for the increased funding the Student Aid Administration needs to provide quality services and support at-risk borrowers," she said.

☆ Biden's Education Secretary confirms the process of resuming student-loan payments will start 'no later than June 30': 'The emergency period is over'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona confirmed his commitment to resume student-loan payments this year. Payments are set to resume 60 days after June 30 or 60 days after a Supreme Court debt-relief decision. On Thursday, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee about his budget request and plans for the upcoming fiscal year. In light of the conservative-backed lawsuits that paused the broad debt relief, Biden extended the student-loan-payment pause through 60 days after June 30 or 60 days after the Supreme Court issues its final decision. As Insider previously reported, the department has started communicating with student-loan companies to prepare borrowers to resume repayment.

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