New Student Loan Bill Would Help Borrowers Access More Affordable Payments
The SIMPLE Act comes as student loan delinquencies remain elevated after pandemic-era relief measures ended.
The Streamlining Income-Driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education (SIMPLE) Act, introduced by Oregon Democratic Representative Suzanne Bonamici, aims to help struggling federal student loan borrowers access more affordable repayment plans before they fall into default. With student loan delinquencies still high after pandemic-era relief measures, the bill seeks to simplify the enrollment process in income-driven repayment (IDR) programs, which can significantly reduce monthly payments.
Under the legislation, federal student loan borrowers who become at least 31 days delinquent would receive notices outlining their eligible repayment options, including estimated monthly payments under available IDR plans. After 75 days of delinquency, borrowers would be automatically enrolled in the most favorable income-driven repayment plan available to them.
The bill also eliminates annual paperwork requirements for borrowers already enrolled in IDR plans and uses existing taxpayer information to verify borrower eligibility and calculate payments, addressing the complexities and confusion surrounding IDR programs.
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