• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Stock

Biden administration seeks to avoid default crisis for student loan borrowers as garnishments resume

by January 16, 2025
written by January 16, 2025

This year, for the first time in roughly five years, borrowers who have defaulted on their federal student loan debt will face collection activity, including the garnishment of their wages and retirement benefits.

In a new U.S. Department of Education memo obtained by CNBC, a top official lays out for the first time details of when garnishments may resume — in some cases, as early as this summer.

The memo, dated days before the Trump administration takes over, details steps the Biden administration has taken to stave off a default crisis among federal student loan borrowers. It outlines strategies for the department to help student loan borrowers stay current as collection efforts resume this year.

“It is critical to continue the initiatives and fully implement the actions outlined in this memo, as the Department plans to resume default penalties and mandatory collections later this year,” U.S. Undersecretary of Education James Kvaal writes in the memo addressed to Denise Carter, acting chief operating officer for Federal Student Aid.

There were around 7.5 million federal student loan borrowers in default, the Education Department said in 2022. That grim figure has led to comparisons with the 2008 mortgage crisis.

After the Covid-era pause on federal student loan payments expired in September 2023, the Biden administration offered borrowers a 12-month “on-ramp” to repayment. During that time, they were shielded from most of the consequences of falling behind on their payments. The relief period expired on Sept. 30, 2024.

Now federal student loan borrowers in default may see their wages garnished starting in October of this year, according to the Education Department. Meanwhile, Social Security benefit offsets could resume as early as August.

The Department of Education memo directs its Federal Student Aid office to continue the Biden administration’s work to avoid defaults.

That includes making it easier for borrowers to enroll in affordable repayment plans, such as letting borrowers authorize the department to obtain their income information from the IRS and to automatically enroll borrowers in an income-driven repayment plan if they become 75 days delinquent on their loans. (IDR plans base a borrower’s monthly bill on their discretionary income and family size, and some are left with a $0 monthly bill. Any remaining debt is canceled after a certain period, typically 20 or 25 years.)

Borrowers should also be “screened for other forgiveness opportunities before they formally default,” the memo says.

The memo also encourages the Education Department to explore options for increasing the current interest rate incentive to get borrowers to sign up for automatic payments to their student loan servicer. As of now, borrowers can typically get an 0.25 percentage point reduction in their interest rate by doing so.

Later this year, for the first time, borrowers in default will be able to enroll in the Income-Based Repayment plan “and have a pathway to forgiveness,” the memo says. Currently, federal student loan borrowers need to exit default before they can access any of the income-driven repayment plans, including the IBR.

According to the memo, the Biden administration has eliminated most collection fees on federal student loans.

In early 2024, it also took steps to protect a higher amount of people’s Social Security benefits from the department’s collection powers. When the consequences of defaults resume, those with a monthly Social Security benefit under $1,883 can protect those benefits from offset, compared with the current protected amount of $750 in place today.

“Available data suggest that these actions will effectively halt Social Security offsets for more than half of affected borrowers and reduce the offset amount for many others,” the memo says.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Trump’s House GOP allies demand swift confirmation of Cabinet picks amid delays
next post
Capital One acknowledges ‘outage’ as users report issues accessing deposits

related articles

Walmart boosts sales outlook as it says tariff...

August 21, 2025

How a ship that glides like a pelican...

August 21, 2025

Apple just landed a key win for the...

August 20, 2025

Best Buy launches third-party marketplace as it looks...

August 19, 2025

Group accused of using fake accounts to buy...

August 19, 2025

Playboy moving its headquarters to Miami Beach and...

August 17, 2025

Lyft co-founders to step down from ride-hailing firm’s...

August 16, 2025

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway reveals new stake in...

August 16, 2025

Apple Watch getting redesigned blood oxygen feature following...

August 15, 2025

The CEO in chief: How Trump is getting...

August 15, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • DOJ sues four blue states over ‘unconstitutional’ climate laws threatening US energy security

    May 2, 2025
  • SEN BERNIE SANDERS: Two Americas, the people vs. the billionaires

    December 27, 2024
  • Carney says Canada is not for sale, Trump replies, ‘Never say never’

    May 6, 2025
  • ‘Mass surveillance’: Conservatives sound alarm over Trump admin’s REAL ID rollout

    April 17, 2025
  • AI accusations mar UK election as candidate forced to defend authenticity: ‘I am a real person’

    July 21, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,784)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (893)

Latest Posts

  • Some tariff concessions from Canada and Mexico touted by Trump lack substance, experts say

    February 6, 2025
  • Trump heads to Scotland, continues ironing out trade deals after notching six months back in office

    July 21, 2025
  • Supreme Court orders new arguments in pivotal elections case

    August 5, 2025

Recent Posts

  • GOP senators express ‘concerns,’ ‘skepticism’ over Trump’s spending bill after Musk rant

    June 3, 2025
  • CVS is under pressure and considering a breakup. Here’s why that could be risky

    October 5, 2024
  • Trump revokes security clearances of former opponents Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton

    March 22, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Second Amendment ‘setback’: Gun tax cuts stripped from Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    June 27, 2025
  • Trump campaign trolls Harris, releases policy website for her after weeks of silence

    August 21, 2024
  • Oil and natural gas: Oil has an opportunity to recover

    September 27, 2024
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock