# Student Loan Forgiveness

> Announced cancellation of up to $10,000 in federal student debt ($20,000 for Pell recipients) for borrowers under income limits.

Joe Biden · Trade & Economy · Major Decision · Aug 24, 2022
Official record: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-506_nmip.pdf

## What happened

Announced cancellation of up to $10,000 in federal student debt ($20,000 for Pell recipients) for borrowers under income limits — about $430B for ~20 million people.

## How it happened

Executive action under the HEROES Act; the Supreme Court struck it down 6-3 in June 2023 (Biden v. Nebraska).

## Documented impact

- [negative / substantiated] Ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. — The 6-3 majority held the HEROES Act didn't authorize mass cancellation; the plan never took effect, though Biden later forgave debt through other programs.
- [positive / contested] Aimed to relieve borrowers; popular with under-40s. — Supporters said it would have erased debt for ~20 million; critics called it costly and unfair to non-borrowers.

## Public opinion

Cancelling up to $10,000 in student debt

Support: 53% · Oppose: 41%

Support was higher among younger adults and Democrats; opposition centered on fairness and cost.

Source: Economist/YouGov, 2023

## Sources

- [Supreme Court: Biden v. Nebraska](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-506_nmip.pdf)

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