Student Loan Debt Relief Resources

More than 40 million Americans, mostly people under age 35, have student loan debt. COVID-19 has exacerbated the financial challenges these individuals face. While Congress did provide relief, more needs to be done, including extending the moratorium on payments, expanding the program to private loans and providing targeted monetary relief in cases of economic hardship.

Providing greater student loan relief for attorneys and non-attorneys is a legislative and policy goal of the New York State Bar Association. The resources and articles linked below provide useful information on current student loan debt relief programs.

One-time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief

Eligible borrowers can get a full or partial discharge of loans up to $20,000. Apply today!

This one-time debt relief is provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as part of the Biden-Harris Administration student debt relief plan.  Application window is open through December 31, 2023.

Visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/debt-relief-info

Student Loan Forgiveness in Doubt as U.S. Supreme Court Considers Challenge – October 26, 2022

President Biden Takes Action on a New York State Bar Association Legislative Priority — Student Loan Relief

The 2021 Student Debt Survey by the American Bar Association

Managing Your Debt In Public Interest: How To Repay Your Loans (free informational program*)
*log-in to the NYSBA website required to view the free training

Young Lawyers Section at New York State Bar Association

This resource page was prepared by the President’s Committee on Access to Justice Public Interest Loan Repayment Subcommittee.

Federal Loan Repayment Resources

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Federal Student Aid, and Office of the U.S. Department of Education https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

ABA House of Delegates Resolution 512 – adopted at the 2021 ABA Annual Meeting – “Urges Congress to enact legislation to amend the U.S. Bankruptcy code to permit student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy without needing to prove undue hardship.”

Read more here: https://www.americanbar.org/news/reporter_resources/annual-meeting-2021/house-of-delegates-resolutions/512/

Student Loan Borrower Assistance – National Consumer Law Center: Job Related Cancellation Programs

  • Available to Direct Loan borrowers that work in public service jobs for ten years and repay their loans through an eligible repayment plan. Any remaining balance is then canceled after the ten years of service is completed.
  • Questions? Visit the public service web site or call FedLoan Servicing at 1-855-265-4038

New York State Loan Repayment Resources

NYS Higher Education Services Corporation: District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program

  • Offered to retain experienced attorneys employed as District Attorneys, Assistant District Attorneys or Indigent Legal Services Attorneys throughout New York State
  • Awards are given based on the eligible student loans of NYS residents who have worked full time as a District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney, or Indigent Legal Services Attorney in New York State for at least four years, but no more than nine years (including the year prior to application) and have an outstanding balance on an eligible student loan debt
  • Questions? Please contact the Scholarship Unit at scholarships@hesc.ny.gov.

New York Attorney General: Loan Forgiveness Options

  • The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program allows federal student loan borrowers who work for government or certain public interest organizations to receive forgiveness of the remaining balance on their federal Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying payments.
  • If you work for a government or public service organization, you may be eligible for PSLF: must be employed full-time by an eligible public service employer; must have an un-defaulted Direct federal loan; and must be enrolled in a qualifying loan repayment plan.

Equal Justice Works (EJW)

Equal Justice Works (EJW): Take Control Of Your Financial Future

Articles

  1. “Law school debt is delaying plans for recent grads” by Stephanie Francis Ward and Lyle Moran
  2. New York State Bar Association: Law Student Debt Task Force
  3. ABA Young Lawyers Division, 2020 Law School Student Loan Debt Survey Report, available here: 2020 Law School Student Loan Debt Survey Report (americanbar.org)
  4. NLADA Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Administration – National Legal Aid & Defender Association
  5. “4 Avoidable Student Loan Forgiveness Mistakes” by Adam S. Minsky, Esq.
  6. ABA Plans Vote on Measures Pushing for Student Debt Relief by Justin Wise
  7. ABA Backs Student Loan Debt Relief Measures for Lawyers by Karen Sloan
  8. Law School Debt is Delaying Plans for Recent Grads by Stephanie Francis Ward and Lyle Moran