Millions of Americans can take their first step towards cancel between $10,000 and $20,000 of federal student loan debt.
The Ministry of Education launched a “simple and easy to use” application for student loan forgiveness in recent weeks, recommending that borrowers apply by Nov. 15 to have the relief applied to their balance before student loan payments resume in January.
If you haven’t applied yet, we’re hosting a free live webinar on November 15 at 6 p.m. EST with student loan expert Robert Farrington to answer questions and walk through the application. We’ll also keep you updated on the legal status of Biden’s student loan relief plan.
Biden’s Plan allows borrowers who earn less than $125,000 to forgive $10,000 of federal school loan debt, while married couples are eligible for $10,000 per person in debt forgiveness if their joint income is less than $250,000 . Borrowers on Pell grants, which primarily target low-income students, are eligible for an additional loan forgiveness of $10,000, for a total of $20,000, if they meet income requirements.
While Biden’s loan cancellation plan was welcomed by those with student loan debt, he faced immediate challenges from political opponents. The backup plan has been stuck in federal court due to a legal challenge brought by six Republican-led states, and the Biden administration cannot forgive any student debt until the temporary pause is lifted.
In the face of growing legal challenges, the The Biden administration has quietly reversed itself cancellation of the debt of hundreds of thousands of borrowers. According to updated tips of the Ministry of Education.
White House estimates about 43 million federal student loan borrowers are eligible for forgiveness, but most will need to complete the application to receive it. The Department of Education only has income information for about 8 million borrowers and recommends that every federal student loan borrower apply, even those who may automatically qualify.
How to Complete the Student Loan Forgiveness Application
The student loan forgiveness application is short and does not require any supporting documents or FSA ID. It asks borrowers for their full name, social security number, date of birth, phone number, and email address.
At the end of the application, borrowers must certify that they are applying for federal student loan debt relief and that their 2020 or 2021 income was below the income limits. Once submitted, the Department of Education will review your application and work with your loan officer to process the relief. The Department of Education will contact you if they need additional income information and let you know if and when it has been approved.
Important Dates and Details for Student Loan Forgiveness
Now that the app is live, here are some more key dates and details Things to keep in mind for student loan forgiveness:
November 15: Recommended deadline to apply
Start collecting your earnings information now, as the Department of Education recommends completing the application by November 15 to receive a rebate before payments resume in January. Once you submit your application, you can expect relief within 4-6 weeks if approved.
January 1, 2023: Resumption of student loan repayments
Federal student loan repayments are currently set to resume early next year after a three-year hiatus. Experts recommend budgeting for the future now that takes into account potentially lower monthly student loan repayments and using that time to focus on other important aspects of your finances. Build up an emergency fund, pay off high-interest debt, or invest in a traditional retirement plan, because these are areas where you can put your money to work right now.
December 31, 2023: Closing of applications
The Department of Education will continue to process student loan forgiveness applications through the end of 2023, but you must apply by mid-November to receive relief before the end of the waiver period. suspension of payments.
Pro tip
If you qualify for a discount, it’s important to update your contact information with your loan manager, check your mail or email for up-to-date information on your loans.
How to avoid scams and safely apply for student loan forgiveness
Be careful if you receive emails, phone calls, and text messages from unrecognizable numbers and people about canceling a student loan. Federal officials have sounded the alarm over scams and misinformation related to Biden’s loan cancellation.
The White House recently announced its intention to repress on student loan scammers nationwide, and pointed out tips to help borrowers avoid student loan forgiveness fraud. Here are some do’s and don’ts, according to the Department of Education:
Not to do
- Don’t pay anyone to cancel your loans. The request for student loan forgiveness is free.
- Do not give anyone your FSA ID, account information or password. The Department of Education or your loan officer will never call or email you asking for this information.
- Never give personal or financial information to someone you don’t know over the phone.
- Don’t refinance your federal student loans unless you know the risks. If you refinance your federal student loans into a private loan, you will no longer be eligible for Biden’s unique debt cancellation plan.
To do
- Create an FSA ID on studentaid.gov. You won’t need it to request a discount, but it gives you easy access to important information about your loans.
- Make sure your contact information is up to date with your loan manager. If you don’t know who your loan officer is, log in to your account at studentaid.gov discover.
- Sign up for email alerts at www.ed.gov/subscriptions for important updates on Biden’s loan cancellation plan.
Report scammers to Federal Trade Commission.
