The pandemic payment and interest pause faces an August 31 deadline.
The White House held a virtual meeting Thursday with student debt activists and advocacy groups, the latest sign that the White House is seriously considering canceling some amount of student loan debt. The meeting was billed as “an opportunity for you to share your priorities on student debt relief.”
The federal student loan payment pause began as part of the coronavirus pandemic relief during the shutdown two years ago. Since that time, interest stopped accumulating and collections on defaulted debt have been on hold. The payment freeze has been extended a number of times by both the previous and current presidential administrations. The most recent extension by President Biden has a deadline of August 31.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president had not made any decision on whether to extend the freeze on payments or widespread debt cancellation.
“The Department of Education will communicate directly with borrowers about the end of the payment pause when a decision is made,” the press secretary said. On the issue of broad-based debt cancellation, she added, the White House was continuing to “assess our options.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and his economic and education advisors as they assess further relief for federal student borrowers.
- For Secretary Cardona to be led by God as he leads the Education Department.
- For Richard Cordray to be discerning as he oversees Federal Student Aid.
Sources: Politico, CNN
