Students who got partial loan relief to see full discharge
WASHINGTON — Students who were defrauded by their colleges and received only partial relief from their federal loans could now see them fully canceled, the Biden administration announced Thursday, reversing a Trump administration policy.
The change could lead to $1 billion in loans being canceled for 72,000 borrowers, all of whom attended for-profit schools, the Education Department said.
“Borrowers deserve a simplified and fair path to relief when they have been harmed by their institution’s misconduct,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “A close review of these claims and the associated evidence showed these borrowers have been harmed, and we will grant them a fresh start from their debt.”
The department said it was rescinding the formula used by the Trump administration to determine partial relief and putting in place “a streamlined path to receiving full loan discharges.”
The decision applies to students who already had their claims approved and received only partial relief, the department said.
A senior department official briefing reporters said the agency was continuing to review both the backlog of claims yet to be decided and those that have been denied.
The department described Thursday’s action as “a first step” and said it would be looking at rewriting the regulations down the road.
In addition to having their loans fully canceled, students will be reimbursed for any payments made on the loans and have their eligibility for federal student aid reinstated.
The department said it also would ask credit bureaus to remove any negative ratings tied to the loans.