During his 2020 presidential campaign, President Joe Biden emphasized time and time again his plan to cancel student debt. This has sparked a conversation about what this really means and whether or not we should actually do it.
If you happen to be one of the 43 million Americans whose student debt is part of the national total of $1.7 trillion, this may sound like music to your ears. However, there are pros and cons to canceling student debt that are important to consider.
*Article as of March 2024. For updated information on President Biden’s student debt cancelation actions, please visit the rest of our blog.
What Does Student Debt Cancellation Really Mean?
Canceling federal student loan debt would relieve borrowers of the obligation to pay back federal student loans.
Biden’s Proposed Plan
Biden’s presidential campaign focused largely on changes in higher education and student debt.
His plan included:
- Immediate Cancellation of Some Student Loans
- Specific Areas of Forgiveness
- Free Tuition
- Increased Support for Public Servants
- Larger Pell Grants
- Income-driven Repayment
“Immediate” Cancellation
Biden has supported the immediate cancellation of $10,000 of federal student loan debt per person as part of COVID-19 relief.
Democrats and progressives alike have been advocating for student borrowers and asked Biden to cancel $50,000 of federal student debt per borrower instead of his planned $10,000. While ambitious, politicians such as Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Elizabeth Warren believe it is possible and warranted.
However, Biden previously stated that he doesn’t believe he has the authority to cancel such large sums of student loan debt. In some interviews, Biden even suggested that he disagrees with canceling such large amounts.
However, in August 2022, Biden announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower. Due to litigation surrounding the action however, it is currently on hold.
Specific Areas of Forgiveness
In Biden’s federal student debt plan, he proposed forgiveness in the following ways:
- For those who earn less than $125,000/year.
- For undergraduate student loans. Graduate students’ debt would not be canceled under Biden’s proposed plan.
- For those at public colleges and universities, as well as private HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.
People with private student loans would not be impacted or relieved of their debt under this plan.
Free Tuition
In Biden’s American Families Plan, he proposed making college tuition-free for some schools such as:
- Community colleges
- Minority-serving institutions such as HBCUs
It’s important to note that this plan covers tuition and tuition only, meaning you would still have to pay the additional costs like room and board, meal plan, and fees.
Increased Support for Public Servants
Biden plans to provide more student debt support to people pursuing public service by:
- Forgiving up to $50,000 and immediately canceling $10,000 for each year someone completes an eligible form of public service. People in this category would be eligible for 5 years of this loan forgiveness.
- Making changes to the current Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). His changes would allow more loans to qualify for forgiveness and for specific amounts of forgiveness after 5 years of public service. Biden’s additions would not replace the current PSLF program.
Larger Pell Grants
The Pell Grant is a form of need-based federal financial aid that typically does not have to be repaid. It is meant to help eligible low-income students pay for college costs, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other educational expenses. As of 2021, the maximum Pell Grant is $6,495 and the minimum is $650.
For the 2023-2024 academic year a Pell Grant ranges from $800 to $7,395 a year, depending on your family income and other factors. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant it is possible to receive an award as either a part-time or full-time student.
Income-Driven Repayment
In his campaign, Biden proposed a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. It includes:
- Undergraduate loans only. Graduate student loans would not qualify for this repayment option.
- Automatic enrollment. Everyone would be automatically enrolled in this plan and would need to opt-out on their own if they didn’t want to participate.
- Untaxed forgiveness. Current loan forgiveness programs typically tax the amount you are forgiven. Under Biden’s plan, the amount owed in student loan debt would be forgiven tax-free after 20 years.
- $0 monthly payments. If you make less than $25,000 per year, your monthly payments would be $0 under Biden’s proposed plan.
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What Does This Mean for People with Private Student Loans?
Biden does not have the authority to cancel private loans. His plans focus on federal student loans, as they are owned by the government.
Private lenders provide money to borrowers on their own terms separate from the government. If you have private loans and student debt forgiveness does happen, your private student loans will remain as is.
The Pros and the Cons
In no way is this an exhaustive list of the pros and cons of canceling student debt, but these are the main arguments for and against it:
Pros
Any amount of student loan forgiveness would benefit those in debt.- It could stimulate the overall economy. If borrowers were able to divert some of their money from making student loan payments to things like buying a house, it could lead to overall economic growth.
- It could help alleviate some of the disparities caused by student loan debt. There are racial and ethnic disparities within the student debt crisis, and canceling even some student loan debt could help even the playing field.
Cons
Student debt cancellation does nothing to address the root of the problem: the high cost of a college education in today’s world.- Some say it could lead to an incredibly privileged class of recent college graduates.
Student loan rates from our partners
Ascent
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 12/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
LendKey
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
Earnest
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
College Ave
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Final Thoughts
The answer to whether or not we should cancel student debt really comes down to how you personally weigh the pros and cons in your mind. What we do know is that there has been a lot of talk surrounding the topic and many politicians and companies are stepping forward in support of student debt cancellation.