The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.
According to the Federal Student Aid website, you have until December 31, 2023, to complete the application. Additional information can be found here: One-Time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief.
Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan forgiveness of up to $10,000 is available to non-Pell Grant recipients and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Only Federal student loans are able to be forgiven. Loans held through a private lender are ineligible for this program.
No Surplus: The amount of student loan forgiveness available depends on how much you still owe. If you only owe $8,000 in federal loans but qualify for $20,000 of relief, you will not be receiving the surplus of $12,000.
Income Cap: Borrowers with pandemic-era salaries under $125,000 (for individuals) or under $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households) are eligible for relief.
Loan Dates: Federal loans taken out after June 30, 2022, do not qualify for loan forgiveness.
Application Process: Depending on your lender, you may already be approved and have your account credited by the end of the year. However, an application is expected to be released in the coming weeks before the student loan payment pause ends on December 31, 2022.
Be Aware: As more details are released, scams may also pop up. Remember to practice caution and good business sense if someone contacts you about your student loans.
Looking for some additional information? Check out this article posted on CNBC on October 20, 2022:
The student loan forgiveness application is now live — here’s how to fill it out
The application to apply for student loan forgiveness is short and straightforward, and can be found here:
Federal Student Loan Debt Relief Application
As always, our office is happy to help with any questions you may have.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
