NEA played a major role in winning a federal court case protecting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PLSF) program against changes that would have threatened educators’ access to life-changing debt relief.
Early in his second term, President Trump issued an executive order allowing the U.S. Department of Education to exclude employers from the PSLF program if they engage in activities deemed objectionable by the administration—such as providing gender-affirming care, maintaining diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies, or assisting undocumented immigrants. The rule would have disqualified anyone working for one of these employers—which could include school districts and higher education institutions—from receiving PSLF.
NEA members and staff immediately stepped up to protect PSLF access for educators and public service workers, joining a broad coalition that sue the administration, arguing that the new rule violated federal law.
On June 30, a federal judge ruled decisively against the administration and vacated the rule, recognizing that the plan was to stoke fear among public service workers working toward loan forgiveness.
Despite this major victory, the fight continues. Changes to PSLF are just one way the administration is working to undermine and politicize student loan programs. They are also putting arbitrary caps on graduate student loans, forcing educators to turn to private loans that don’t qualify for PSLF for advanced degrees that strengthen their practice and improve student success.
Together, educators have shown that they can stop the weaponization of student loans for political ends. Stand with your colleagues across the country to continue that momentum by taking action against arbitrary graduate student loan caps.
