Midterm results could bring brewing student loan battle to a head

Student loan advocates see next week’s midterms as an opportunity for further oversight and potential reversals of policies from the Trump administration that have delayed or denied debt relief and increased monthly payments.  

Democrats have the potential Tuesday to retake the House and Senate, possibly creating a friendlier environment for student loan borrowers after two years of drastic changes to the system. 

While lawmakers could only do so much with the Trump administration still in charge, advocates are looking for oversight and some wins for borrowers in budget negotiations. 

“One thing that Democrats could do unilaterally is conduct oversight over the Department of Education, which is essential not just because of this administration’s efforts to dismantle it and break it apart and move it into different agencies, which might compromise its ability to function and serve students,” said Sara Partridge, associate director of higher education policy at the Center for American Progress. 

“Efforts to make sure that the department is still carrying out its statutorily required duties will be very important, and in particular for student loan borrowers, ensuring that servicing oversight is happening and that borrowers are getting the support they need in order to navigate all of the new changes to repayments will be really essential and should be a focus of Democrats in the 120th Congress,” Partridge added. 

The student loan system has been turned on its head since President Trump’s return to office, with new loan limits, fewer repayment options and taxes coming back on student debt relief. 

Many of the changes came........

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