On Friday, the Biden administration said that more than 16 million people’s applications for federal student debt forgiveness had been “completely accepted” and forwarded to loan servicers.
Until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the program’s constitutionality, the government released a breakdown of the number of borrowers in each state who have filed for and been authorized under the program’s expansive debt relief provisions.
Opponents of the Biden administration’s proposal to reduce student loan debt filed briefs with the Supreme Court, arguing that the government had exceeded its power.
Six states governed by Republicans and two individuals who did not qualify for the relief argued in separate filings that the administration should not be permitted to erase up to $20,000 in student loans for eligible borrowers.
Two of the most prominent challenges against Biden administration initiatives before the Supreme Court this term will be heard in an oral argument on February 28.
As a result of the legal challenges, the program is on hold until the summer, leaving millions of borrowers and Biden’s campaign pledge in doubt. The government has previously claimed that the court shouldn’t consider the merits of the two complaints because the challengers don’t have “standing,” or the legal right to sue.
In a response brief filed on Friday, the six states (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina) argued that they would all suffer economically due to the proposal for different reasons.
The government claims that over 26 million individuals applied for aid while the form was available.
