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Published: 12/02/2021
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 together in favor of canceling college debt to help fix the teacher shortage. 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. This has a ripple effect, impacting not only the borrowers themselves, but parents and grandparents who are helping them repay their debts and the loved ones who depend on them financially.
But our work is not over. Providing two years of tuition-free access to community college or a four-year institution would help make higher education affordable and accessible to all.
There are other crucial steps we must take to strengthen higher education. Institutions must invest in full-time, tenure-track faculty members, support academic freedom, and improve working conditions for adjunct or “contingent” faculty.
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NEA Comments for House Hearing on President Biden’s Student Loan Policies
Submitted on 03/23/2023
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NEA Urges Congressional Action on a Range of Priorities in Lame Duck Session
Submitted on 11/18/2022
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NEA Urges House to vote YES on Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act, S. 1098
Submitted on 09/20/2022
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 1098 Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on 04/14/2022
The legislation would allow individuals who consolidated their student loan debt with a spouse to sever the loans, filling the void Congress left when it eliminated the program in 2006. Having this option is crucial in the case of domestic or financial abuse.
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Support
HR 7465 PSLF Payment Completion Fairness Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on 04/07/2022
A bill to simplify the process of receiving loan forgiveness, improve the applicant success rate, and encourage people to enter public service.
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Support
H Con Res 70 Condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities ("HBCUs") and reaffirming support for HBCUs and their students. www.congress.gov
Introduced on 03/07/2022
vote YES on H.Con.Res. 70
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.
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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.
