Trump Administration to resume collections on student loan borrowers in default
After a five-year hiatus, the U.S. Department of Education says it will begin resuming collections of defaulted student loans on May 5.
Of the more than 42.7 million student loan borrowers in the U.S., who owe a collective $1.6 trillion, the department says that more than 5 million have not made a payment in the past year. That number is expected to grow as an additional 4 million borrowers are approaching default status.
“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.
The department said it will begin notifying borrowers who are in default via email over the next two weeks, urging them to make a payment or to enroll in a repayment plan, and referring them to a government website providing information on how to do so.
Then, on May 5, the department will begin referring borrowers who remain in default to a collections program run by the Treasury Department.
“This could not have come at a worst time for millions of Americans,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director for the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit group that aims to reduce student debt. Those borrowers, she added, “are already finding themselves having to navigate such incredible economic uncertainty over the last few months.”
She also points to the fact that older borrowers tend to face the greatest struggles in repaying their loans: nearly 40 percent of federal borrowers over the age of 65 were in default on their student loans, according to a 2017 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “These are older folks who are on fixed incomes,” she says.
When borrowers fall behind, Bañez added, their credit scores can take a hit, making it harder to qualify for more credit and other loans for things like housing and other basic needs.
The Education Department said in its notice that, later this summer, it will begin the process of garnishing wages—meaning payments would be automatically deducted from borrowers’ paychecks.
What the cross-examination of one witness reveals about the Sean Combs trial
The prosecution pushed back on the defense's aggressive questioning of a former Combs employee, saying harassment of the witness might intimidate others taking the stand.
USDA says demand for sensitive food stamp data from states is on hold
The federal government told states to turn over names, birthdates, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data about food assistance recipients. Amid a legal challenge, the agency says the request is on hold.
The White House unveils the new official portrait of President Trump
Trump appears expressionless in the new presidential portrait, depicted against a dark, blank background.
Trump asks Congress to wipe out funding for public broadcasting
President Trump is asking lawmakers to claw back the $1.1 billion in federal subsidies for public broadcasting that Congress approved earlier this year. His request also includes cuts to foreign aid.
In a break with Trump, Elon Musk calls the GOP megabill a ‘disgusting abomination’
Musk joined with GOP critics who say the multi-trillion dollar plan to enact the president's domestic priorities doesn't go far enough to cut federal spending.
Mark Hamill used to downplay his ‘Star Wars’ past. Now he’s embracing it
Hamill played Luke Skywalker, one of the most iconic heroes in movie history. His latest film, The Life of Chuck, is an adaptation of a Stephen King novella.