The Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Is Not Unfair. Here’s Why.

The+Student+Loan+Forgiveness+Plan+Is+Not+Unfair.+Here%E2%80%99s+Why.

Jacqueline Ramirez, Editor-in-Chief

Since his campaign for president in 2020, President Biden has planned to help get rid of student debt. 

The plan is to cancel up to $20,000 for Pell Grant (government money for students to pay for college and does not need to be repaid) recipients and $10,000 for non-recipients, only if the annual income is less than $125,00 for an individual or less than $250,000 for married couples.

According to the Education Data Initiative, 18- to 29-year-olds have about 34 percent in the national total for all student debt. 

On social media, some people claim this program is unfair to those that have paid them off already or did not attend college.  

Taxpayers, whether they have student loans or not, claim it is unfair as they would be the ones paying for this program as inflation increases every year. 

Although this is the case, it would actually benefit everyone if people have their debt canceled. 

According to a survey done by CNBC, over 50% of people claim that they would pay off other debts if student loans were forgiven. This would improve people’s credit score, which would help the economy and even out inflation costs. 

Leilani Pham, a student from California State University, Fullerton, believes the plan will relieve stress from students. 

“I suppose it’s good because it will help give leeway for college students struggling to make ends meet,” said Pham. 

The more students pay off their loans, the more money can be focused on providing for living expenses. 

People who did not attend college for monetary reasons believe it is not fair because the plan rewards more wealthy Americans instead of those struggling with other debts. 

The government is responsible and has authority to cancel all debts, but it is much harder to do so with private lenders.

President Biden’s plan is being tied up in court over lawsuits from six conservative states claiming it would harm their “tax revenue”. 

There is no certainty that it would go through. 

Student loans are vital for people to attend college in some cases. 

Marie Pera, a student attending Orange Coast College, has an interesting perspective. 

“To begin with, college should be free instead of piling debt onto students that don’t even make a living wage,” said Pera. 

So, are student loans to blame or the colleges with expensive tuitions? 

According to the U.S. News, tuition and fees from private National Universities have jumped 134 percent. Out-of-state tuition and fees from public National Universities have increased 141 percent. 

This has also contributed to students not only taking out loans, but being unable to attend college in the first place. 

Right now, student loans are preventing many college students and graduates from fulfilling future careers goals or dreams. This program will help many people to survive in this society by providing them with the ability to spend money. 

It is now up for the Supreme Court to decide the fate of thousands of people with student debt.