$50K & Beyond
Cancel Student Debt
The student debt crisis has a disproportionate impact on Black borrowers and their families. Across all racial groups, Black borrowers hold the most student loan debt despite also being consistently underserved by postsecondary institutions.
President Joe Biden has canceled up to $20,000 in federal student debt for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for other borrowers making less than $125,000 per year. The repayment pause is extended to June 30, 2023, but when payments restart, they will be capped at 5% of the borrower's monthly income.
You voted and rallied - and it's because of you we've seen this first step in student debt relief. Let's keep going. Find resources, statistics, and stories below.
Next Steps in Student Debt Relief
Get Updates
Sign up for student debt relief updates directly from the U.S. Department of Education.
Get Training
Sign up for upcoming trainings with NAACP and the U.S. Department of Education about how to take advantage of student debt forgiveness programs.
Sound Off
Now that some student debt forgiveness has been announced, let us know: What does this relief mean to you?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Beginning in November 2022, borrowers who have 20 years (240 monthly payments) or 25 years (300 monthly payments) worth of payments through these changes will start receiving loan discharges, unless they choose to opt-out. Borrowers who applied for PSLF prior to October 31, 2022, and reach 120 payments due to the deferment and forbearance changes will also receive loan discharges.
Get More Info on PSLF
In the News
Your Story Matters
View the stories on how student debt has impacted the lives of student loan borrowers to understand the impact student debt has on individuals and the Black community as a whole.
Share your student debt story
Why did you go after a college degree? How has student debt impacted your life? What would the cancellation of student debt mean to you?
Student debt impacts real people and has daily consequences. Add your story to the growing collection of reasons elected officials need to act to cancel student debt.
Sound Off: Student Loan Debt Stories
Tasha A., Student Loan Borrower
"The student loan debt has made it impossible for me to help my oldest pay for college without having to borrow additional plus parent student loan debt. It prevents me from saving money, saving for my retirement, and the thought of having to pay student loan debt until the day I die stresses me and causes undue anxiety. "
Jesse P, Student Debt Organizer
"Student debt is stressful. I had student debt during school as well. It's holding me back from my financial goals."
Mahogany B., Student Loan Borrower
"I am currently homeless; my debt to ratio due to my student loan is to high to receive an affordable loan to purchase a home yet I do not qualify for affordable housing. One of my paychecks every two weeks does not even cover the average cost of living in California."
Canceling student debt would mean that I could live my life with decreased anxiety and hope for better opportunities.
- Jessica C.Storytelling Tips
Collecting your stories helps us humanize the issue of student debt relief because it's not just about the policy. It's about the people who will be impacted. There are many ways to share your story. No matter how you choose to share, be authentic, be brief, and help others understand the impact student debt has on individuals and the Black community as a whole.
Connect, Share, Advocate
Advocacy is in our DNA. Grab the tools you'll need to help make student debt relief and affordable education a starting point to a more equitable future.
Driving Quality of Life through Data
NAACP and Brookings have partnered on The Black Progress Index, a new analysis of the places where Black people are thriving most, as measured through their life expectancy. In the spirit of W.E.B. Du Bois, we're working to provide insight into the local civic actions that can improve life expectancy outcomes.
Thank You To Our Partners
At 28 years old, I can't afford to start a family, I can't afford to buy a home, I can't afford to volunteer in my community, and I can't afford to go to the doctor. All of these things are now considered luxuries that I simply can't afford at this point in my life. All of my resources are dedicated to paying off student loans and interest rates.
- Jessica P., Student Loan Borrower