Audio By Carbonatix
US President Joe Biden has unveiled his latest proposal to help millions of Americans pay off student loans, working to fulfil a campaign promise ahead of November's election.
Last year, the Supreme Court rejected his initial plan to cancel as much as $20,000 (£15,800) for some borrowers.
This "Plan B" targets relief for five groups of borrowers, including those burdened with "runaway interest".
More than 30 million people could benefit, according to the White House.
Roughly one in eight Americans has outstanding student loan debt, including tens of thousands who finished college and entered the workforce decades ago.
Younger voters in particular often cite debt relief or forgiveness among their top issues, and many Democrats say the president has not fulfilled promises he made on it as a candidate four years ago.
As he seeks re-election, Mr Biden's latest actions could help patch over the fractures in a political coalition that has grown disillusioned with his job performance as well as his handling of the war in Gaza.
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee this November, opposes student debt cancellation.
Mr Biden will promote the plan later on Monday during a visit to Madison, a liberal college town and the state capital of Wisconsin, a crucial swing state where he narrowly defeated Mr Trump in 2020.
Vice-President Kamala Harris and other members of the administration will also fan out across the country and pitch the effort to voters in coming days.
An outline of the plan was posted on the White House web site early on Monday.
The plan will not go into effect right away. Because the education department is following a multi-step rule-making process, it could take months. Portions of the new rule will likely be implemented sometime in the autumn, providing a boost ahead of the election.
According to the White House, these actions would fully forgive debt for more than four million people, eliminate the interest balances of up to 23 million and relieve at least $5,000 for more than 10 million.
In some cases, borrowers eligible for these kinds of relief will not have to apply to the programme, and will instead be identified and see adjustments automatically credited to their accounts.
But the latest effort is likely to be beset by a host of conservative legal challenges.
Opponents of debt relief say it does not solve the problem of costly college education, does not stimulate the economy and ignores financially-burdened Americans who did not attend college. They add that targeted proposals are also unfair to borrowers who have already managed to pay off their student loans, in some cases by making financial sacrifices.
Last June, the nation's top court struck down the president's sweeping plan to use an existing law to wipe away $430bn in student debt, completely erasing the outstanding balances of about 20 million people.
In its 6-3 decision, the court's conservative majority ruled that the Biden administration had reinterpreted a statute to "[expand] forgiveness to nearly every borrower in the country".
Since then, the White House has used existing provisions to approve $146bn in debt relief for nearly four million people while also working to reform the student loan system in other ways.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana concludes evacuation of citizens from South Africa, total returnees reaches 1,900 – Ablakwa
4 minutes -
Africa must define its own green transition path – Prof Fatima Denton
26 minutes -
WASSCE 2026: English Language performance falls to 62.4% – WAEC
49 minutes -
WASSCE 2026: Social Studies records sharp rebound as Maths, Science also improve
1 hour -
2026 WASSCE entry rises by 11% as 512,862 candidates sit exams
1 hour -
WASSCE 2026: English Language performance falls to 62.4% – WAEC
1 hour -
WAEC cancels 2026 WASSCE results of 8,295 candidates over examination irregularities
2 hours -
WAEC releases provisional 2026 WASSCE results for 512,862 candidates
2 hours -
CJ’s remarks on SOEs were made in good faith, not to undermine judicial independence – Judicial Service
5 hours -
Bright Future Alliance pays courtesy call on Akufo-Addo, invites him to African Leaders of Influence Lectureship Series
5 hours -
This is an attempt to break the Minority caucus – Patricia Appiagyei on alleged GH¢70k payment
6 hours -
‘OSP hasn’t contacted me’ – Patricia Appiagyei assures cooperation if invited
6 hours -
I find it strange that this memo was purportedly written by me – Patricia Appiagyei
6 hours -
Ayariga calls for stronger church partnership to tackle sanitation, environmental challenges
6 hours -
I don’t think we have an industry – Patchbay Band manager
7 hours