What Happens to Student Loan Forgiveness If Trump Returns to the White House?

With the possibility of a political shift in the United States, many student loan borrowers are concerned about the future of student loan forgiveness programs—especially if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Could your loan forgiveness be reversed? Experts say it’s highly unlikely, but future programs could be at risk. Here’s a breakdown of what could happen.

Existing Student Loan Forgiveness: Safe or at Risk?

For borrowers who have already received loan forgiveness, the consensus among experts is that it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to reverse.

Once the Department of Education has discharged a student loan, that debt is legally considered settled. Shahar Ziv, a finance expert at Forbes, notes that trying to reinstate canceled loans would be a logistical and legal nightmare.

Legal and Practical Challenges

• Reversing forgiven loans would require new legislation, which would have to pass through Congress.
• Legal disputes could arise, leading to lawsuits from borrowers who had their debts canceled in good faith.
• Administrative obstacles could slow down any attempts to undo existing forgiveness, making it impractical.

Thus, those who have already had their loans forgiven likely have nothing to worry about. However, what about those who haven’t yet received forgiveness?

Future Loan Forgiveness Programs: What Could Change?

While existing forgiveness is safe, a potential Trump administration could impact future student debt relief programs. This means borrowers still applying for forgiveness or waiting for relief could face changes.

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• The PSLF program forgives remaining federal student loans for government and nonprofit workers after 120 qualifying payments.
• Trump previously proposed eliminating PSLF in his 2018 and 2019 budget plans. While Congress did not approve those proposals, a future administration could try again.
• If the program is cut, it may only apply to new borrowers, not those already on track for forgiveness.

2. Biden’s One-Time Debt Cancellation Program

• President Biden attempted to cancel up to $20,000 per borrower under a broad forgiveness plan.
• The Supreme Court struck down the plan in 2023, but Biden has since introduced smaller targeted forgiveness efforts.
• A Trump administration could halt these targeted cancellations or block new relief efforts.

3. Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

• Borrowers using Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans can have their loans forgiven after 20-25 years of qualifying payments.
• The Biden administration introduced the SAVE Plan, which lowers payments and shortens forgiveness timelines for some borrowers.
• A future Trump administration could modify or repeal SAVE, making repayment terms less favorable.

What Borrowers Should Do Now

Given the uncertainty around the future of student loan forgiveness, borrowers should take proactive steps:

1. Check Your Loan Status – If you’ve already received forgiveness, rest assured that it’s unlikely to be reversed. If you’re still in the process, monitor updates from the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Continue Making Qualifying Payments – For those pursuing PSLF or IDR forgiveness, continue making qualifying payments to stay on track.
3. Explore Refinancing (Cautiously) – If loan forgiveness programs disappear, some borrowers may consider refinancing with private lenders. However, be cautious, as refinancing with a private lender means losing access to federal protections.
4. Stay Informed – Follow reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, and trusted financial news outlets.

The Bottom Line

• Forgiveness Already Granted? Safe. Experts agree that existing loan forgiveness cannot be undone due to legal and logistical barriers.
• Future Loan Forgiveness? At Risk. A Trump administration could end or restrict PSLF, IDR forgiveness, and new debt relief programs.
• What Should You Do? Stay informed, continue making payments if pursuing PSLF or IDR forgiveness, and prepare for possible policy shifts.

While the future of student loan forgiveness remains uncertain, one thing is clear: existing forgiven loans are safe, but future programs could change. Borrowers should stay vigilant, follow updates, and take steps to secure their financial future.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.