North Carolina’s attorney general has filed a friend of the court brief in two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court about the Biden Administration’s cancellation of federal student loan debt to help address COVID-19-related difficulties for borrowers.
AG Josh Stein said the pandemic put the financial futures of too many of low-income students in financial jeopardy, and he urged the court to allow the federal government to grant the debt relief on a targeted basis for North Carolina student borrowers.
“The pandemic put the financial futures of too many of low-income students in real financial jeopardy,” said Stein. “We can help give them the relief they need and deserve, and in turn protect our state’s economy. I urge the court to allow the federal government to grant this debt relief on a targeted basis for North Carolina student borrowers.”
Last year, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced plans to grant $10,000 in debt relief for borrowers under certain income thresholds and $20,000 in debt relief to borrowers who met those income thresholds and also received a Pell Grant in college.
Stein added that state economies benefit when their residents can avoid default on student loans and avoid the possible loss of job prospects, housing, and federal benefits.
