By Abby Kozal
Due to a recent court order, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan is on hold. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay, stopping the plan from progressing further until the court rules on the case. However, applications are still open for those who wish to apply.
“It is also important to note that the order does not reverse the trial court’s dismissal of the case, or suggest that the case has merit. It merely prevents debt from being discharged until the court makes a decision,” stated Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s press secretary.
Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant are eligible for up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness, and non-Pell Grant recipients are eligible for up to $10,000. Individuals who made less than $125,000 and families that made less than $250,000 in 2020 or 2021 qualify for loan forgiveness.
“The application itself is very straightforward,” Grand Rapids Community College Executive Director of Financial Aid, David DeBoer, wrote in an email to the Collegiate. “Students enter only basic information such as name, Social Security number, and contact information (email address, phone number, etc). If students need access to a computer, they can use the various computer labs at GRCC that are available to students.”
DeBoer also added that GRCC’s Financial Aid department is willing to help students fill out the application and verify that they’re on the right website.
GRCC’s website has information listed here for those who wish to learn more about the program.
Applications for student loan forgiveness are available at this link. People who already applied during the beta testing period do not need to reapply. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2022.
“This is a game changer for millions of Americans … and it took an incredible amount of effort to get this website done in such a short time,” stated Biden in remarks from the White House.
