The US Department of Education “fully” approved the student loan forgiveness for more than 16 million people, which has prompted the start of sending applications to loan servicers, the Biden government explained on Friday.
The agency provided a breakdown of the number of borrowers who applied for and were approved for the debt relief program, which is subject to a Supreme Court determination on whether or not it becomes a reality.
This comes after President Joe Biden announced in August the forgiveness of at least $10,000 up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for tens of millions of borrowers.
The measure, which was applauded by many constituents in the US, was also rejected by Republicans and conservative groups, who filed lawsuits against the plan.
“These borrowers could benefit from the administration’s program right now were it not for lawsuits brought by elected officials and special interests,” a White House fact sheet said.
Biden had to shut down his student loan forgiveness portal in November after a federal judge in Texas struck down his plan.
So far, more than 26 million people have applied for relief, it said.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the president’s plan on February 28.
The court’s decision to hear arguments relatively quickly means it is likely to determine whether widespread loan cancellations are legal by the end of June.
