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Published: December 2, 2021
More careers than ever require post-secondary education, yet higher education is increasingly out of reach. Students and families—not public dollars—now fund the bulk of higher education costs.
For years, NEA members advocated canceling college debt to help fix educator shortages. Now, because of the Biden administration’s life-changing actions, student loans taken out by 48 million borrowers are being substantially reduced, forgiven, or even canceled outright. Under the administration, more than 1 million public service workers have received over $74 billion in student debt cancellation thanks to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
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Vote NO on confirming Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education
Submitted on February 25, 2025
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VOTE NO on the House budget resolution
Submitted on February 24, 2025
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VOTE NO on the Senate’s budget resolution
Submitted on February 20, 2025
Bills in Congress
Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
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Support
S 740 Affordable College Textbook Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on February 26, 2025
This bill would authorize a competitive grant program to support the creation and expansion of open college textbooks to help students manage costs by making high-quality textbooks easily accessible to students, professors, and the public for free.
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Support
HR 777 Closing the College Hunger Gap Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on January 28, 2025
This bill would direct the Secretary of Education to notify college students of their eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) based on information reported through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
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Support
S 3727 Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on February 1, 2024
A bill that would create and task an interagency committee with improving coordination of federal oversight of for-profit colleges.
A History Advocating for Higher Education
1965
Higher Education Act Becomes Law
President Johnson signs the Higher Education Act (HEA) into law to “strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education.”
1972
Pell Grants Begin
The Pell Grant program, the largest grant program that the U.S. Department of Education offers to undergraduate students, is created.
1992
Higher Education Act Reauthorization
Congress reauthorizes the Higher Education Act and Pres. George H.W. Bush signs it into law. The reauthorization significantly expands the student loan program.
1998
GEAR UP Begins
The Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 authorize Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP provides six-year grants to help increase the college-going rate of low-income students.
2007
PSLF Program Created
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) is created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. PSLF is designed to encourage students to enter public service professions, such as education, through a promise to forgive student loans after 10 years’ worth of payments.
2008
Higher Education Opportunity Act Enacted
The Higher Education Opportunity Act is enacted, reauthorizing the amended version of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
2021
PSLF Program Overhauled to Meet Educators' Needs
The Biden-Harris administration on October 6 announces an overhaul of the PSLF program, including a broad expansion of the types of payments that count toward loan forgiveness. An estimated 550,000 public-service workers will see their progress toward PSLF grow because of the changes. The overhaul resulted after the administration received 168,000 emails from National Education Association members.
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Cancel Your Student Debt
By working to cancel student debt and improve forgiveness programs, we can make sure everybody who wants to learn and grow can do so—without exceptions.
