R.I. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is telling those who owe money on student loans to consolidate their loans so they can become eligible for federal student loan forgiveness.
Whitehouse says those who have student loans through the Federal Family Education Loan program are eligible for the consolidation option until June 30th, 2024. He says currently, those with loans through that program are ineligible for federal student loan forgiveness programs because the program was worked with private lenders and the loans were guaranteed by the federal government.
Once the consolidation is complete, more than 15,000 Rhode Islanders will be eligible for the federal student loan forgiveness program, according to Whitehouse’s office.
“The Biden administration has taken an aggressive approach to reducing the student loan burden that has held many Rhode Islanders back from starting families and buying homes,” said Whitehouse. “I encourage every Rhode Islander currently enrolled in the FFEL program to explore this temporary consolidation option. My office stands ready to help maximize every available avenue for student loan relief.”
Whitehouse says he has worked to help Americans pay back their student loans, including introducing the Simplifying and Strengthening Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act, which he says would make the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program permanent and reduce the number of payments needed to qualify for the program.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
