Mon Jan 27 18:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Return Could Jeopardize Millions in Student Loan Relief
**Washington, D.C.** – The return of Donald Trump to the White House has sparked concerns among consumer advocates and experts about the future of several key student loan programs. With Republicans controlling Congress, programs enacted under the Biden administration are facing potential elimination or significant alteration.
At the forefront of concern is the SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) plan, a new income-driven repayment plan lauded for cutting monthly payments and shortening repayment timelines for millions of borrowers. Already facing legal challenges from Republican attorneys general, SAVE’s survival under a second Trump administration is considered unlikely. Experts suggest several methods for its dismantling, including abandoning legal defense, issuing new regulations, or congressional action.
Furthermore, the Biden administration’s revised bankruptcy guidelines, which made it easier for borrowers to discharge student loan debt, are also at risk. While some legal professionals remain hopeful, the possibility of a more restrictive approach under a new administration is a significant worry.
House Republicans are also proposing cuts to several other programs. These include potential rollbacks of the Borrower Defense to Repayment regulations (which provide debt relief for defrauded borrowers), reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (potentially limiting eligibility), and the elimination of the student loan interest deduction. The latter alone affected nearly 13 million taxpayers before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 40 million Americans hold federal student loan debt, totaling over $1.6 trillion. The potential dismantling of these programs could have a devastating impact on borrowers already struggling with repayment. The White House has yet to comment on these concerns.
First Piper 