During one of the worst financial periods in our country’s history, then President-Elect Joe Biden vocalized that he would expedite a request to Congress for $10,000 in loan cancellation for all federal borrowers. This relief would help hundreds of thousands of borrowers who are in desperate need of relief during these unprecedented economic times.

Since the President signaled that he would push for student debt forgiveness and relief, several Senators have also voiced their support and even called for vastly stronger plans, such as forgiveness of up to $50,000 and relief of payments for almost two years. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki affirmed Biden’s support for some kind of cancellation but stopped short of promising action by executive order.

Biden said during a CNN town hall that he would not forgive $50,000 through executive action. He said, "I am prepared to write off the $10,000 debt but not $50,000 because I don't think I have the authority to do it."

On February 19th, A group of 17 state attorneys general called on Biden to forgive $50,000 in federal student loans per borrower through executive action asserting he has the authority to do so under the Higher Education Act.

With this strong belief that the action can take place through executive action, the COVID relief package does not provide student debt relief or forgiveness.

Because of these circumstances, we are calling on all current and former students to urge the White House to sign an executive order for immediate relief for students now.

We are urging the President to relieve payments for two years and forgive up to $50,000 for qualifying students.