Student Loans

Student loans create debt burdens that impact families for generations. Black Americans in general, and Black and Latina women in particular -- often are forced to take on more college debt than their white counterparts in pursuit of the American Dream. The student debt burden is felt most acutely by attendees of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. CRL successfully led a coalition of advocates that achieved substantial student debt cancellation in 2022. We continue to advocate for higher education policies to protect student loan borrowers and their parents from falling into a cycle of debt that keeps them from engaging in wealth-building activities. 

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Comment on Intent to Establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

Comment on Intent to Establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

With nearly 45 million Americans owing 1.7 trillion dollars in student loan debt, the Department’s intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to examine proposals under the waiver, modification, and compromise authority is critical to increasing fairness and affordability for those who must accrue debt to pursue higher education. The sheer scale of the student loan debt crisis in America—and...
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Comment Letter
Student Loans

Overturning Student Debt Relief Through the Congressional Review Act Will Have Devastating Consequences for Student Loan Borrowers

Overturning Student Debt Relief Through the Congressional Review Act Will Have Devastating Consequences for Student Loan Borrowers

Today, more than 44 million Americans are crushed under the weight of $1.7 trillion in student loan debt. This debt prevents borrowers – in red states and blue states, urban and rural communities – from fully participating in the American economy. It delays or denies borrowers the opportunity to buy a home, start a business, or invest in retirement, thereby...
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Policy & Legislation
Student Loans

Immense Coalition of 260+ Civil Rights, Labor, and Advocacy Organizations Call for the Rejection of Partisan Scheme to Block Debt Relief for Student Loan Borrowers & Reverse Student Loan Payment Pause

Immense Coalition of 260+ Civil Rights, Labor, and Advocacy Organizations Call for the Rejection of Partisan Scheme to Block Debt Relief for Student Loan Borrowers & Reverse Student Loan Payment Pause

The 261 organizations representing millions of students, workers, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, consumers, and people of faith write in strong opposition to bicameral efforts to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn President Biden's actions to pause student loan payments and provide student debt relief for low-income and working-class Americans continuing to recover from the deadly...
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Letters to Congress
Student Loans

What’s Next for Student Loan Borrowers?

What’s Next for Student Loan Borrowers?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in two cases challenging the Education Department’s debt relief program. The first lawsuit, Biden v. Nebraska, was filed by several Republican-controlled states claiming that debt relief will hurt the profits of a private student loan servicer chartered by one of the states and may negatively affect future state tax revenues. The other suit...
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Policy & Legislation
Student Loans

Letter Submitted to Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing on the Implications of Biden's Student Loan Policies

Letter Submitted to Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing on the Implications of Biden's Student Loan Policies

CRL submitted this letter for the record on the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing entitled, "Breaking the System: Examining the Implications of Biden's Student Loan Policies for Students and Taxpayers."
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Testimony
Student Loans

“Paying from the Grave”: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Alumni and the Burden of Student Loan Debt

“Paying from the Grave”: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Alumni and the Burden of Student Loan Debt

More than 44 million people in the United States—roughly one in six adults—collectively hold more than $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt. Although many Americans are burdened by their student loan debt, borrowers who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been especially hard hit, due to the impacts of systemic racism on wealth accumulation for families and...
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Research
Student Loans

Poll Results: Federal Student Loan Payment Pause Helps Borrowers Pay for Basic Needs

Poll Results: Federal Student Loan Payment Pause Helps Borrowers Pay for Basic Needs

Morning Consult conducted a survey, commissioned by Center for Responsible Lending. The poll is presented as a short Powerpoint-style slide deck with key takeaways and charts. Key findings include: Millions struggled to meet their basic needs due to the burden of student debt Low-income borrowers in loan forgiveness programs were more likely to skip meals and face wage garnishment throughout...
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Research
Student Loans

Restoring Income-Driven Repayment

Restoring Income-Driven Repayment

Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans are designed to help borrowers make affordable student loan payments for no more than 20 or 25 years, depending on the type of plan. However, the complexity of these programs has made it notoriously difficult for borrowers to navigate: The application process is lengthy and requires annual re-enrollment; Servicing errors and abusive practices keep low-income borrowers...
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Policy & Legislation
Student Loans

Coalition Letter in Support of Extending and Expanding the PSLF Waiver & IDR Adjustment Student Debt Relief Programs

Coalition Letter in Support of Extending and Expanding the PSLF Waiver & IDR Adjustment Student Debt Relief Programs

More than 130 organizations representing students, student loan borrowers, teachers, workers, and consumers have sent a letter calling on the President to extend and expand the PSLF Waiver & IDR Adjustment student debt relief programs.
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Letters to Congress
Student Loans
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