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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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Looking for more ways to take action?
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NEA Urges House to vote NO on Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, H.R. 6585
Submitted on February 27, 2024
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NEA Urges House Education Committee to Vote NO on College Cost Reduction Act, H.R. 6951
Submitted on January 31, 2024
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NEA Urges House to Vote NO on Resolution Blocking Biden-Harris Student Debt Plan
Submitted on December 5, 2023
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 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.
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Support
HR 7139 Teacher Debt Relief Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on January 30, 2024
A bill that would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to change certain eligibility provisions for loan forgiveness for teachers, and for other purposes.
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Oppose
HR 6951 College Cost Reduction Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on January 11, 2024
The bill contains provisions, such as caps on federal borrowing, that could limit students’ opportunity to attend college.
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.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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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.
