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John,
Last week, we launched our digital billboard campaign against U.S.
Representatives who’ve refused to sign H.Res.100, a U.S. House resolution
that calls on President Joe Biden to eliminate up to $50,000 in student
loan debt per borrower. For seven days, lawmakers could not drive through
their congressional districts without seeing the phrase
“#EliminateStudentDebt” plastered across a 14′ x 48′ screen on Interstate
64 Eastbound—one of the busiest highways in the entire country! We made
our message loud and clear: the student debt of Black and low-income
borrowers far exceeds their income, let alone their ability to repay. Our
communities deserve student debt relief now, and our representatives
should do whatever it takes to make it happen!
[ [link removed] ]SEND A LETTER: DEMAND AN ENDORSEMENT OF BROAD STUDENT DEBT
ELIMINATION.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: TELL YOUR REP TO SIGN ON TO H.RES.100.
[ [link removed] ]MAKE THE CALL: PRESSURE THE U.S. HOUSE EDUCATION & LABOR COMMITTEE TO
SECURE RELIEF FOR BLACK AND LOW-INCOME BORROWERS.
Federal student loan forbearance has saved Virginia borrowers at least
$2,000 in predatory interest fees, and has erased $82.7 billion total in
interest payments nationwide.^1 For Black and low-income borrowers—whose
interest accrual combined with graduate school borrowing results in a
$53,000 debt load just four years after graduation—the interest freeze was
crucial.^2 The money typically spent on interest went toward groceries,
hospital visits, and other basic necessities that have long been cut back
on or delayed because thousands of dollars in debt loomed over their heads
and wallets.
While the Biden Administration recently announced an extension of student
loan forbearance until January 31, 2022, we must continue to apply
pressure and fight to make broad student debt elimination a reality within
the next four months.^3 No one should be forced to choose between student
loan repayment and the needs of themselves or their families ever again.
[ [link removed] ]John, demand that Congressional leaders do whatever it takes
to move broad student debt elimination forward!
[ [link removed] ]SEND A LETTER
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION
[ [link removed] ]MAKE THE CALL
Until justice is real,
— The Color Of Change Team
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References:
1. Ayelet Sheffey, “Freezing student-loan payments saved just $2,000 per
borrower, report finds,” Business Insider, April 23, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
Melanie Hanson, “Student Loan Debt by Race,” EducationData.org, June
9, 2021, [ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. Judith Scott-Clayton and Jing Li, “Black-white disparity in student
loan debt more than triples after graduation,” The Brookings
Institution, October 20, 2016,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. Adam Minsky, “Biden Administration Will Extend Student Loan Pause to
2022, While Advocates Urge Cancellation,” Forbes, August 6, 2021,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.
[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation
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