summary
Introduced
06/22/2017
06/22/2017
In Committee
06/22/2017
06/22/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education (ED) to cancel 15%, 15%, 20%, 20%, and 30% of the amount a borrower owes after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of public service employment, respectively, on a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan made after this bill's enactment. (Currently, the balance of a borrower's Direct Loan is canceled if the borrower is not in default and has made 120 monthly payments on such loan while employed as a public service employee.) The bill: (1) requires borrowers availing themselves of such loan cancellation to submit an employment certification form that includes self-certification of employment and employer certification of employment dates, and (2) places the borrower's loan in deferment during the period in which the borrower is employed in an eligible public service job if the borrower submits such form to ED. If a portion of a loan is canceled for any year, the interest on such loan for such year must be canceled.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide a new, more generous public service loan forgiveness program. Under the current program, borrowers who make 120 monthly payments while employed in public service have their remaining federal direct loan balance forgiven. This bill would instead cancel a portion of the loan balance after a certain number of years of public service employment - 15% after 2 and 4 years, 20% after 6 and 8 years, and 30% after 10 years. To receive the loan cancellation, borrowers must submit an employment certification form. The bill also places the borrower's loan in deferment during the public service employment period if the certification form is submitted. Additionally, any interest that accrues on the loan during a year in which a portion is cancelled must also be cancelled.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (11)
Richard Blumenthal (D)*,
Ben Cardin (D),
Dianne Feinstein (D),
Al Franken (D),
Maggie Hassan (D),
Mazie Hirono (D),
Patrick Leahy (D),
Ed Markey (D),
Jeanne Shaheen (D),
Tom Udall (D),
Elizabeth Warren (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 06/22/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1412/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1412/BILLS-115s1412is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s1412/BILLS-115s1412is.pdf.pdf |
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