Warning Bells Ring As Student Loan Conditions Start To Deteriorate

The foremost jeopardy facing the educational prospects of Black individuals is not a deficiency in capability or motivation, but rather the actions of the United States Supreme Court. In 2023, the conservative majority abolished affirmative action in higher education, sharply reducing Black student admissions. Shortly after, the Court obstructed the Biden administration from enacting extensive student debt relief, a measure that could have alleviated the racial wealth disparity and liberated countless Black borrowers from overwhelming debt. Additionally, the Supreme Court has facilitated the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, undermining crucial federal civil rights protections. If the courts endorse a settlement aimed at demolishing the SAVE Plan, it could exacerbate the hardships faced by Black borrowers and others with student debt. Although not flawless, SAVE has significantly reduced payments, with many borrowers benefitting greatly. The potential elimination of this plan may impose severe financial burdens on already vulnerable populations, further endangering their economic stability.