The Education Department announced its latest step in the broad student-debt relief process.
After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's first plan to cancel student debt broadly for borrowers using the HEROES Act of 2003, his Education Department announced it would be attempting relief using a different law: the Higher Education Act of 1965.
"When the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden-Harris Administration's student debt relief plan, we did not waste a moment opening up a new pathway to debt relief," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.
Since borrowers will not be entering repayment with broad relief, the department also announced a 12-month "on-ramp" period during which missed payments will not be reported to credit agencies, but interest will still accrue during that time.
However, while the department is moving forward with the broad debt relief process, its future is uncertain due to conservative opposition — and potential legal challenges that could once again halt relief for borrowers.
Persons:
Joe Biden, Harris, Miguel Cardona
Organizations:
Education Department, Service, Higher, Biden, Loan, Black Colleges, Universities, Federal Family Education
Locations:
Wall, Silicon