IFPTE Applauds Dept. of Education and Biden Administration's Action to Fulfill the Promise of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
This week, the U.S. Department of Education announced significant changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that extends eligibility to borrowers who have been unfairly excluded from the program, facilitates federal employees’ eligibility, and provides a review of applications that have been denied due to errors from student loan servicers.
These changes respond to a public campaign driven by tens of thousands of borrowers and a coalition of 200 organizations that urged the Biden Administration to repair the long-standing deficiencies and design flaws of the program. The reforms announced this week will move 550,000 borrowers closer to loan forgiveness, with 22,000 borrowers made instantly eligible.
IFPTE President Matthew Biggs commented:
"Our union applauds the Biden Administration and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for taking action to repair the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The Department of Education's announcement of a one-year waiver on types of payments that qualify for loan forgiveness, use of federal data to ensure federal employees and veterans receive credit for loan forgiveness, and review of denied applications will go a long way toward restoring the purpose and credibility of the program. For so many of IFPTE's members who are pursuing or have established public service careers, this overhaul commits to the promise made to them over a decade ago."
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson remarked:
"After years of advocacy and calls for reform from federal employees, veterans, state and local government workers, and nonprofit employees -- including IFPTE members and local unions -- the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is finally being fixed to provide promised relief to those who serve their communities and the public. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Cardona for listening and responding to the experiences of so many borrowers and we congratulate the vast community of borrowers, including IFPTE members, that joined the campaign to deliver promised financial relief."
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RELATED:
10.03.2021 — Military Members Promised Student Debt Relief in Exchange for Ten Years of Public Service Say Promise Is Often Broken (60 Minutes)
This 60 Minutes report highlights the numerous flaws of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and focuses on the impact on military service members.Learn about the new limited waiver on requirements and new rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program on the Department of Education website. For updates on student debt forgiveness and borrowers rights, visit the Student Borrowers Protection Center.