‘Completely unacceptable’: AFT President Randi Weingarten Slams Trump Administration’s 800,000-Borrower Student Loan Forgiveness Backlog

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the Trump administration's updated filing showing a continued massive backlog in student loan forgiveness. The administration was forced to provide periodic status updates on forgiveness as part of a court-approved settlement reached with the AFT in October. The union had previously sued the Department of Education for failing to provide millions of borrowers with the relief they are owed under the law.

"It was good news when the administration agreed with us in October to protect borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans and deliver tax-free debt relief to borrowers as required by federal law. And even better news that they publicly promoted the settlement as a win. The problem is they don't appear to have honored their word-the borrower backlog remains eye-popping, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon clearly has no idea how to manage this process. Perhaps she shouldn't have sold the Department of Education off for parts-thanks to the illegal firing of half its staff, borrower services are on life support.

"While completely unacceptable, it should come as no surprise that as of November, the department has only been able to discharge debt for 170 people (not a typo), with just 280 receiving Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Meanwhile, 800,000 applications and requests for student debt relief through income-driven repayment and PSLF languish in administrative limbo.

"Those applications and requests are not just paperwork-they represent the hopes and dreams of Americans who are striving for a better life but remain shackled by an unaffordable and unsustainable debt load. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance may believe affordability is a hoax, but hundreds of thousands of Americans just trying to get ahead are bleeding-and the administration's lack of action is rubbing salt into the wound. That's why we will not stop fighting until the administration implements our landmark agreement, follows the law and processes every single outstanding application so that American borrowers receive the relief they need and deserve."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.