We the undersigned express deep concern and opposition to the reconciliation bill that aims to cut $350 billion in funding for higher education, student loan repayment programs, and Pell Grants. We urge the Senate to: - Reject education cuts and protect Pell Grants - Protect existing Income Driven Repayment Plans - Protect Higher Education Funding - Oppose the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) - Protect borrowers from predatory collections practices Americans with student debt may see an increase of up to $4,786 in their monthly payments each year. It is dangerous to remove the financial safety nets designed to protect student loan borrowers and their families. Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans ensure that Americans can stay current on their loans, avoid default, and afford their everyday living expenses. With collections resuming on most defaulted loans, it will now be more difficult to repay student loans. The removal of IDR plans promised by this bill will only make it easier for Social Security checks and wages to be garnished, putting struggling Americans into an even more detrimental financial situation. Therefore, we urge the Senate to put the well-being of Americans with student debt and their families first in the fiscal decisions of the country. An educated nation is a strong nation, and higher education is needed to ensure that our workforce is strong and the future of the United States is bright.
Following a federal court decision, on February 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education removed online applications for Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. Now, the Department has removed the paper IDR application, leaving borrowers in extreme financial turmoil and with no affordable payment options. This action severely harms millions of hardworking Americans and has blocked student loan forgiveness pathways. We must call on the Trump Administration and Congress to pause all student loan payments until these IDR plans are fully restored and accessible to borrowers.
"Higher #education was supposed to be an investment in my future. But now #students like me are stuck paying off their debts over years or even decades. This is largely due to the mismatch between the high cost of education and low, stagnating starting wages: on average, Canadians aged 25 to 34 earn $45,000 a year. After covering basic expenses, there is barely any money left to service a #debt."
https://macleans.ca/society/i-had-100000-in-debt-so-i-moved-into-my-car/
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about recent developments that threaten to block critical student debt relief efforts in the United States. Just shy of the implementation of President Biden’s student debt cancellation plan, we have learned that MOHELA, a student loan servicer funded by borrowers’, allies’, students’, and advocates’ taxpayer dollars, is working to obstruct debt relief that would benefit millions of borrowers, just as they previously attempted to block the first rounds of student debt relief. MOHELA’s primary responsibility is to help millions of Americans manage their student debt, yet they are now actively working behind the scenes to prevent relief from reaching those in need. This is an unacceptable misuse of public resources and an outright betrayal of the millions of borrowers who are forced to blindly trust and rely on their services. Enough is enough. We ask the Department of Education: Immediately cease all contracts with MOHELA. The most recent attempt by several Attorneys General and MOHELA to block the President’s latest plan to cancel student debt is a clear conflict of interest that only results in more harm to borrowers. Prioritize the needs of borrowers. Our government and the entities funded by taxpayer dollars should be working to relieve, not exacerbate, the financial burdens faced by everyday Americans. MOHELA has made it clear that they cannot separate the well-being of their constituents from the personal benefits of stopping student debt cancellation. Support widespread student debt cancellation. The President’s proposed Plan B for student debt cancellation is a straightforward and effective proposal that would provide much-needed relief to millions of borrowers, stimulate the economy, and create a fairer and more equitable society.
#WhiteHouse issues new #studentdebtrelief plan before #election, says millions may qualify