The new debt cancellation plan is aimed at borrowers with undergraduate or graduate loans who originally borrowed $12,000 or less. Borrowers must also have been making payments on their loans for at least 10 years under the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, an income-driven repayment plan that the Biden administration launched in August 2023.
Borrowers who are eligible for the new debt cancellation plan will have their loan balances forgiven after 10 years of payments under the SAVE plan. This means that they will not have to make a single additional payment on their loans.
The Department of Education estimates that the new debt cancellation plan will benefit approximately 3.6 million borrowers or about 10% of all student loan borrowers. The department's estimates suggest that the plan will save borrowers an average of $2,700 per year.
The new debt cancellation plan is expected to have a significant impact on borrowers, both financially and emotionally. For many borrowers, it will mean that they will be able to finally pay off their student loans and start saving for retirement or other financial goals. It is also expected to relieve borrowers from the stress and anxiety of having large amounts of debt hanging over their heads.
Some critics of the new debt cancellation plan argue that it is unfair to borrowers who have already paid off their loans or who have larger loan balances. They also argue that the plan is too expensive and that it will not address the underlying issues of rising college costs and stagnant wages.The Biden administration has defended the new debt cancellation plan, arguing that it is a fair and equitable way to address the student loan crisis. The administration has also said that the plan is fiscally responsible and that it will not worsen the federal deficit.
Overall, the new debt cancellation plan is a significant step forward in addressing the student loan crisis. The plan is expected to benefit millions of borrowers and provide them with much-needed relief.