$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.
$10,000 is not enough, We're calling on our elected officials to cancel federal student loan debt with no means-testing. Canceling a minimum of $50,000 in student debt for Black borrowers would:
- Provide Black borrowers with opportunities to pursue homeownership
- Develop economy-boosting discretionary income
- Fuel upward mobility in the Black community and equitable efforts to close the racial wealth gap
Temporary student debt relief provided during the COVID-19 pandemic is set to expire after May 1, 2022. It's time for elected officials take action and provide permanent relief.
Let's make it happen. Find resources, statistics, and stories below to join us in the push for student debt relief.
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.
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.
Canceling student debt would mean that I could live my life with decreased anxiety and hope for better opportunities.
- Jessica C.
Sign the Petition: Cancel Student Debt
Student debt relief is a much-needed policy solution in the midst of this economic crisis. Urge President Biden to take executive action to cancel federal student loans at a minimum of $50,000 without barriers or means-testing.
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.
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."
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.
Addressing the Student Debt Crisis
In the News
Don’t Be Stingy, President Biden. Forgive As Much Student Loan Debt As Possible.
Student loan forgiveness is the overlooked remedy that could help close the racial wealth gap
Warren Releases Academic Experts' New Analysis Showing Widespread Benefits of Student Debt Cancellation
White House weighs income limits for student loan forgiveness
Unmasking Student Debt
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