Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of the original debt cancellation proposal, the Biden administration has announced plans to only offer student loan forgiveness to users who are experiencing “financial hardship.” It’s still not clear who might be able to get this help, but the upcoming rules session of the U.S. Department of Education and other aid programs are giving us hints, CNBC reported.
Potential Eligibility Criteria for Student Loan Forgiveness
The Education Department may use bankruptcy discharge standards as a guide to define hardship for forgiveness eligibility. Borrowers must demonstrate “undue hardship,” proving an inability to maintain a minimal standard of living, unlikely future financial improvement, and a history of genuine repayment efforts, though meeting these requirements is rare.
Negotiators are exploring various indicators of hardship, such as Pell Grant recipients or individuals qualifying for health insurance subsidies. They’re also considering debt-to-income ratios and age as potential markers of financial struggle, albeit challenges persist in accurately capturing certain hardships, like medical expenses.
The government wants to use official records that are already in place, such as information from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, to find people who are qualified to borrow money. This method might make charity work easier, but it might miss some problems that are hard to record in official data.
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Student Loan Forgiveness: Relief Measures Under Review
The Education Department is reviewing its collection practices, including wage garnishment and Social Security benefit garnishment, which consumer advocates deem punitive to struggling borrowers.
Additionally, recent changes have made it easier for borrowers to discharge student loans in bankruptcy court, marking a potential shift towards more lenient relief options.