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Published: February 18, 2025
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 canceling college debt to help fix educator shortages. In the last decade under NEA’s advocacy, student loans taken out by 48 million borrowers have been substantially reduced, forgiven, or even canceled outright. This includes more than 1 million public service workers who have received over $78 billion in student debt forgiveness thanks to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
NEA also supports dedicated faculty, staff, and graduate workers of our nation’s colleges and universities who help students pursue their passions. We advocate for safe working conditions, fair pay and benefits, academic freedom, increases to tenure density, and so much more.
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Treat Educators as the Professionals They Are
Submitted on June 24, 2026
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VOTE NO on cuts in education funding
Submitted on June 8, 2026
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 J Res 196 Joint Resolution to overturn the Department of Education rule implementing caps on graduate loans www.congress.gov
Introduced on June 4, 2026
This joint resolution would overturn the Department of Education rule implementing caps on graduate loans imposed by H.R. 1, the reconciliation bill passed last summer. Under this rule, an aspiring doctor or lawyer can borrow $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total while an aspiring educator or nurse can borrow only $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total.
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Support
S J Res 189 Resolution to overturn the Department of Education rule implementing caps on graduate loans www.congress.gov
Introduced on May 21, 2026
This resolution would overturn the Department of Education rule implementing caps on graduate loans imposed by H.R. 1, the reconciliation bill passed last summer. Under this rule, an aspiring doctor or lawyer can borrow $50,000 a year and $200,000 in total while an aspiring educator or nurse can borrow only $20,500 a year and $100,000 in total.
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Support
HR 8815 Teacher Debt Relief Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on May 14, 2026
This bill would make a technical correction to ensure that teachers with 5 years of classroom service can qualify for both the Stafford Student Loan Forgiveness (SSLF) and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs. Currently, educators are eligible for partial debt relief after five years of service. However, federal law forbids simultaneous enrollment in the general Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness programs, forcing educators to work for up to an additional 10 to 15 years to qualify for full relief.
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.
