Student Financial Aid

October 7, 2022

Student Loan Pause Extension and Debt Cancellation

On Aug. 24, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a Student Debt Relief Plan that includes one-time student loan debt relief targeted to low- and middle-income families. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will provide up to $20,000 in debt relief to Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt relief to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers with loans held by ED are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 (or $250,000 for households).

Do you have questions such as:

  • How Do I Know If I Ever Received a Federal Pell Grant?
  • Which Loans Are Eligible?
  • How do I know what kinds of loans I have?

Please see this page for details about the process and answers to the most common questions.

Please be aware of scammers taking advantage of the federal student loan debt relief.

Here’s how to avoid student loan scammers:

  • Don’t pay anyone to help you apply for loan forgiveness. Nobody can get your loans forgiven faster, even if you pay them. This program is completely free — and the only way to apply is at StudentAid.gov. Sign up for Department of Education updates to find out when the application officially opens.
  • Don’t give away your FSA ID login information. If anyone says they need your FSA ID to help you, that’s a scam. Don’t do it. They can cut off contact between you and your servicer — and even steal your identity.
  • Don’t trust someone who contacts you saying they’re affiliated with the Department of Education. Scammers use official-looking names, seals, and logos. They promise special access to repayment plans. None of that is real. If you’re not sure if the “offer” is legit, hang up and call your federal student loan servicer directly.

Have you spotted one of these scams? Report it.