The Project on Predatory Student Lending and City of Boston Host Free Student Debt Clinic
Student loan borrowers attend in-depth clinic to get answers to federal student loan repayment questions and receive individualized support and resources on navigating student debt
BOSTON – Today, The Project on Predatory Student Lending (PPSL), the leading nonprofit legal organization representing borrowers defrauded by predatory colleges, and the Office of Mayor Michelle Wu, hosted a student debt clinic in partnership with Civic Nation to help borrowers understand and navigate their federal student loan repayment options. The clinic provided individualized support and resources to local borrowers who registered for the event, seeking help navigating their student debt.
The Student Debt Clinic included a training and Q&A session on student loans led by Federal Student Aid facilitators, and an open clinic for borrowers to get individualized support navigating their student loans and signing up for income-driven repayment and other debt relief programs. The event was attended by US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who also provided welcome remarks.
“We understand how overwhelming the student loan system can be for borrowers, having worked closely with our clients to navigate a process that too often does not put borrowers’ rights and interests first,” said Ashley Harrington, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy of the Project on Predatory Student Lending. “The Student Debt Clinic is a wonderful opportunity to help student borrowers in our own community and we thank Mayor Wu and Senator Warren for their continued support and advocacy on this important issue.”
Earlier this year, the Biden Administration canceled $5.5 billion dollars in student loan debt for 414,000 Americans through the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. The Department of Education has also canceled billions in federal student loans through Borrower Defense to Repayment, a rule which requires loan cancellation in cases of school misconduct.
“Student debt is a major financial burden for thousands of individuals and families across Boston and it disproportionately impacts first generation college students and marginalized communities who are more likely to have student debt,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The City of Boston is pleased to support this Student Debt Clinic with the Project on Predatory Student Lending and Civic Nation to help Bostonians navigate complex repayment options and illuminate the various programs and pathways available to provide relief.”
“Events like this student loan clinic are so important because they can truly change peoples’ lives,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “President Biden has canceled student debt for more people than any other president in history, and I’ll do everything I can to help sign up people across Massachusetts for this life-changing relief.”
Based in Boston, The Project on Predatory Student Lending’s mission is to end predatory practices in higher education. The nonprofit legal organization represents more than one million borrowers across the country who were defrauded by predatory schools and its litigation and advocacy work has helped secure more than $22 billion in debt cancellation, including the landmark $6 billion borrower defense settlement, and advanced policies that protect borrowers’ legal rights.
About the Project on Predatory Student Lending
The Project on Predatory Student Lending (PPSL) is the leading legal organization representing student borrowers against predatory for-profit colleges and the policies that enable institutions to exploit and cheat students. PPSL uses bold, strategic litigation and advocacy to demand accountability in the higher education space and influence policy solutions to create a more just and affordable education system. PPSL represents more than one million student borrowers and its work has resulted in cancellation of more than $22 billion of fraudulent student loan debt.
About Civic Nation
Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Online for All, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action and When We All Vote. Learn more here.
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