Truthout
Student Debt
![President Joe Biden speaks to guests during a visit to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on April 14, 2022, in Greensboro, North Carolina.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/04/2022_0427-joe-biden-400x300.jpg)
Biden Says He Wants to Fulfill His Campaign Promise to Cancel Student Debt
In a meeting with lawmakers, Biden signaled that he may fulfill — and surpass — his long-vaunted campaign promise.
![Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on March 3, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/04/2022_0425-elizabeth-warren--400x300.jpg)
Warren Warns Democrats They’ll Lose Midterms If They Don’t “Get Up and Deliver”
“Democrats win when Democrats are in touch with the American people,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.
![President Joe Biden gestures as he delivers remarks in the South Court Auditorium on March 30, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/04/2022_0405-joe-biden-p-400x300.jpg)
Biden Extends Student Loan Payment Pause, Erases Default Status for Millions
Progressives have advocated for Biden to move borrowers out of default – or, better yet, to cancel student debt.
![Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walks down the House steps at the Capitol after the last votes of the week on April 1, 2022.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/04/2022_0405-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-400x300.jpg)
AOC Calls for Student Loan Cancellation as Biden Is Expected to Extend Freeze
Biden is expected to announce another three-month extension of the student loan payment freeze this week.
![President Joe Biden participates in a virtual meeting in the South Court Auditorium of the White House complex on February 22, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/03/2022_0307-joe-biden-s-400x300.jpg)
Biden Is Considering Extending Student Loan Pause as Activists Ramp Up Pressure
White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain suggested that Biden may consider canceling student debt before the freeze expires.
![Student debt borrowers demand President Biden cancel student loan debt during a demonstration outside the White House on February 16, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/03/GettyImages-1370918422-400x300.jpg)
Advocates Push Biden to Cancel Student Debt as He Mulls Extending Payment Pause
White House Chief of Staff Ronald Klain suggested that Biden may extend the pause as payments are set to resume May 1.
![Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks during the Senate Banking Committee on February 15, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/02/2022_0225-elizabeth-warren-400x300.jpg)
Warren Expresses Concern Over Transition to Restarting Student Loan Payments
Many borrowers may not be notified in time that payments are slated to restart, lawmakers wrote.
![Biden Faces Pressure to Cancel Student Debt to Fulfill Campaign Promise](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/02/SEG3-biden-2-400x300.jpg)
“Pick Up the Pen, Joe”: Biden Faces Rising Pressure to Cancel Student Debt
Activists are calling on the president to fulfill his campaign promise.
![From left, Rep. Jim Clyburn, President Joe Biden and Interim South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers arrive for the university's graduation ceremony in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on December 17, 2021.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/02/2022_0218-biden-college-400x300.jpg)
Biden Promised to Center Racial Justice. He Can Start by Canceling Student Debt.
By one estimate, cancellation of student debt would result in an increase in Black wealth of nearly 40 percent.
![Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders listens during a committee hearing in the Hart Senate Office building on February 17, 2022, in Washington, D.C.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2022/02/2022_0218-bernie-sanders-400x300.jpg)
Sanders Calls to Cancel All Student Debt After Biden Axes $415 Millions’ Worth
Overall, Biden has canceled less than 1 percent of all student debt in the country.