In 1988, I graduated from law school $80,000 in debt and wanted nothing more than to work in civil rights. Instead, the math pulled me toward the private sector. It took years of payments and strategic spending before I could afford to do the work I actually wanted to do.
That choice — dream job or debt-free — is one I made nearly four decades ago. Today, it’s even harder, and the federal government is making it more difficult.
One in five student loan borrowers are in default — a record-breaking 9.5 million people who are nine or more months behind on payments, up from 5.3 million just a year ago. At the same time, the Trump administration has eliminated the SAVE repayment plan and continues to fight for sweeping changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the program that has helped thousands eventually afford the work they’re called to do.
Each move jeopardizes America’s ability to build and sustain the public service workforce our communities depend on. Preserving a stable, predictable PSLF program is essential to that mission.
PSLF is one of the federal government’s primary tools for recruiting and retaining public servants. By making careers in teaching, nursing, public safety and public interest law financially viable, PSLF ensures those seeking to give back to their communities through public service may do so without the rising cost of higher education getting in the way.
