One-Time Student Loan Debt Relief
President Biden's One-Time Student Loan Debt Relief Plan
PLEASE NOTE: Student Loan Debt Relief Is Blocked.
Courts have issued orders blocking the student debt relief plan. As a result, at this time, the U.S. Department of Education is not accepting applications. They are, however, seeking to overturn those orders.
President Biden announced a one-time debt relief plan on August 24, 2022. This one-time debt relief can provide forgiveness for loans being held by the U.S. Department of Education. Students and borrowers who received Pell Grants may be eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 and those who did not receive Pell Grants may be eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $10,000. To be eligible for this one-time debt relief, individual income must be less than $125,000 or $250,000 for households.
This one-time debt relief applies to students and borrowers who have federally-held undergraduate, graduate, and Parent PLUS loans.
WARNING:
If you receive any phone calls, emails, or letters offering you loan forgiveness regarding President Biden’s One-Time Debt Relief plan, please DO NOT provide any of your personal information. The Department of Education, your federal loan servicer, and Berkeley College will never ask you for any personal information related to debt relief. You can apply for this one-time debt relief at NO COST. You never have to pay for help with your federal student loans. Students are highly encouraged to not engage with any scam calls or messages. If you think that you have received a scam call, you can register for the National Do Not Call Registry. However, if messages persist, you can report the calls to the FTC and give context about the messages you’re receiving. And if you do have questions about your student loan payments and forgiveness, you should contact your federal loan servicer directly. Free assistance is available through your federal loan servicer or Berkeley College.
How can I get more information about the one-time debt relief plan?
For more information on this one-time debt relief, please go to: https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/one-time-cancellation. More information and details will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education in the coming weeks on this site. It is advised that you check this site frequently and/or add yourself to the Department’s email list for updated information (see below).
How can I confirm if I received a Pell Grant?
If you are not sure if you were a Pell Grant recipient, please log into StudentAid.gov by clicking HERE. You will need your FSA ID and password to log in. If do not have your FSA ID Username or password, please click on the “Forgot my Username or password” link(s) on the StudentAid.gov log-in page. Once you are logged in, you will be able to see if you received any Pell Grants, which will be displayed on your account dashboard and your “My Aid” pages.
How will I know when the one-time debt relief application becomes available?
If you would like to be notified by the U.S. Department of Education when the one-time debt relief application is open, please sign up to receive notifications by clicking here: Department of Education subscription page. Online applications are anticipated in early October 2022. The U.S. Department of Education plans on emailing all borrowers about the program, with the application, as soon as it becomes available.
Is this one-time debt relief something I can count on for the future?
No. This debt relief plan has been labeled ONE TIME. There are those who believe that it may not even happen ONE TIME. There are questions regarding the President’s authority to establish this program by Executive Order.
Berkeley College always recommends that students borrow only what they need. This debt relief plan DOES NOT change this recommendation. As of now, loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2022, ARE NOT eligible for the one-time debt relief.
Will I be eligible for this one-time debt relief if my loans are in default with the U.S. Department of Education?
Yes, defaulted loans are eligible for this one-time debt relief plan. If you have a remaining balance on your defaulted loan(s) after debt relief is applied, consider getting or staying out of default through the Fresh Start initiative. For more information about Fresh Start, please click HERE. If your loans are in default and you need assistance with the Fresh Start initiative, please email the College at Studentfinancialliteracy@Berkeleycollege.edu.
PLEASE NOTE: Everything is fluid about this one-time debt relief plan and is subject to change at any time.
