Federal Appeals Court Allows Key Part of President Biden’s Student Loan Relief Plan to Resume
The Biden administration’s student loan relief plan, known as the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, has faced legal challenges in recent weeks. However, a federal appeals court ruling has allowed a key part of the plan to resume, marking a significant victory for President Joe Biden and the millions of student loan borrowers who have signed up for the program.
The SAVE plan, which offers income-driven repayment options for borrowers, has been lauded as a major accomplishment in delivering relief to those struggling with student loan debt. Under the plan, many borrowers pay just 5% of their discretionary income towards their debt each month, with those making $32,800 or less having a $0 monthly payment. This is a significant improvement compared to other income-driven repayment plans, where borrowers typically pay 10% or more of their discretionary income.
Despite the recent legal challenges, the Biden administration is moving forward with lowering borrowers’ monthly payments under the SAVE plan. However, a second injunction from a federal judge in Missouri remains in effect, preventing the administration from forgiving people’s student debt under the program. The Department of Justice is expected to appeal this decision as well.
The legal challenges against the SAVE plan stem from lawsuits filed by Republican-led states earlier this year. These states argue that the Biden administration is overstepping its authority with the plan and attempting to forgive student debt through a backdoor approach after the Supreme Court struck down its sweeping debt forgiveness plan last year.
Despite the obstacles, the Education Department reported that by mid-April, 360,000 borrowers had already received $4.8 billion in debt relief under the SAVE plan. This highlights the significant impact that the program is having on borrowers across the country.
As the legal battles continue to unfold, it is clear that the Biden administration is committed to providing relief to student loan borrowers. The recent appeals court ruling is a step in the right direction, and it will be interesting to see how the administration navigates the remaining legal challenges to ensure that the SAVE plan can continue to benefit those in need.
