Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

8 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

12 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

12 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

13 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

13 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

13 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

13 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

13 hours ago
Fresno Grads Offer Cheers and Jeers for Biden Loan Forgiveness Plan
Liz-Juarez
By Liz Juarez
Published 3 years ago on
August 24, 2022

Share

 

Joe Biden’s decision to forgive federal student loan debt has some local residents cheering and others questioning the fairness of the president’s plan.

“Knowing how much I can have reduced will then allow me to know what I can work with,” said Fresno resident David Lozano. “If I don’t qualify for whatever reason, at least I’ll know others around that it’ll help out and that’s always a plus.”

Rocky Quinola graduated from Fresno State in 2015 after majoring in political science. He says the forgiveness plan comes with drawbacks and will end up hurting Americans more than it will help them.

“Nothing is truly canceled, or just disappears,” said Quinola. “These loans will now be paid by those who never took out a loan, or by those who already paid out their loans.”

He added that no one forced students to take out loans and expecting others to shoulder the burden is morally and financially wrong.

Who Benefits From Biden’s Forgiveness Plan?

Under Biden’s plan borrowers earning less than $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples will qualify for up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness while recipients of Pell Grants will be eligible for $20,000 in debt forgiveness.

In addition, the Biden administration also announced it would extend the moratorium on loan payments until Dec. 31 and implement a cap on maximum monthly payments for undergraduate borrowers.

Outlining the plan’s full details, the White House estimates that at least 43 million Americans are eligible for forgiveness and about 20 million could have their debt completely wiped out.

Among borrowers who are no longer in school, the Department of Education estimates that nearly 90% of relief dollars will go to those earning less than $75,000 a year.

An informational graph shared by the White House shows the borrowers that will benefit greatly from student debt cancellation. (White House)

Loan Forgiveness Is a Lifeline for Many

Lozano says that Biden’s plan has given him hope as he awaits the details on who qualifies for debt relief.

During the student loan pause, Lozano bought a car, paid off credit card debt, and took vacations. However, after 10 years of making minimum monthly payments, he owes close to $30,000 after attending a private college to study business.

Quinola said that the majority of his college tuition was covered by his GI Bill, but he still ended up owing $10,000 in student loan debt.

He has been chipping off at it by making monthly payments a little at a time, and now owes about $7,000.

While he recognizes that it has been a struggle to pay off his debt as most of his income goes to other bills and rent, he doesn’t think forgiving student loans is the best solution.

Instead, Quinola says the government should focus on fixing the costs of attending a public college.

“If loans are taken out, make them flexible for life with no interest and let us decide what is a feasible payment to make every month,” said Quinola.

Debate Over Fairness

At Wednesday’s press briefing, Biden was asked by a reporter whether the plan was unfair to people who’ve already paid their student loans.

Biden answered with a contradictory question before walking away.

“Is it fair to people who, in fact, do not own multi-billion dollar businesses to see one of these guys getting all the tax credits? Is that fair? What do you think?”

No Help for DACA Recipients

A Reedley College student who did not want to be named said he was disappointed with the Biden administration for not considering DACA recipients who do not qualify for either subsidized or unsubsidized federal loans.

“The only loans I take out are from banks that start charging me interest the moment I take it out,” he said.. “I have lived here for 80% of my life. I think it’s great that they are forgiving student loans, but I can’t help feeling unseen.”

CSU Statement on Targeted Student Loan Forgiveness

CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester welcomed Biden’s announcement and thanked his administration for its efforts to support students.

“The California State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education for all Californians, and reducing the burden of debt for our students is another critical step to ensure that they start their careers on solid financial footing,” Koester said in a news release. “At the CSU, fewer than half our students borrow, and those that do borrow significantly less than the national average.

Nearly half of the CSU’s undergraduate students are Pell Grant recipients, so today’s announcement is welcome news for many. With even less debt, these students and our recent alumni will be better positioned to strengthen the California workforce and communities throughout the state as they pursue their professional and personal dreams.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

DON'T MISS

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

DON'T MISS

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

DON'T MISS

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Trump Asylum Ban at US-Mexico Border, Says He Exceeded Authority

DON'T MISS

Fresno Fire Investigators Seek Public’s Help in Arson Case

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

UP NEXT

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

UP NEXT

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

US Judge Blocks Trump Asylum Ban at US-Mexico Border, Says He Exceeded Authority

UP NEXT

CHP Officer Dies in Line of Duty After Medical Emergency While on Patrol

UP NEXT

From Victims to Perpetrators: Israeli Soldiers’ Nazi Comparisons and the Unfolding War Crimes in Gaza

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

6 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

6 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

7 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

7 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

7 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

8 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

8 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

8 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

9 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

5 hours ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
5 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
5 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
5 hours ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
6 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
6 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
7 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
7 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend