Let's talk about Trump's present for student loan borrowers.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump's present to student loan borrowers.

The Trump administration has announced it will start garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who are in default early next year. While there are millions of borrowers in default, the administration said it would be sending out about a thousand letters the week of January 7.

As soon as news broke, we got questions about who it would affect. Like many of Trump's policies, it's not exactly fleshed out and let's just call it fluid. But to be considered in default in this case, you generally have to be at least 270 days past due. Theoretically, the government has to give borrowers 30 days notice before wages can be garnished. But it's the Trump administration, so who knows if they'll follow that.

Back in May, they started this push by withholding tax refunds and so on from those in default. Again, this is all in flux because it's the Trump administration. But based on reporting and a few conversations with people who know, it looks like the Department of Education can seize up to 15% of a student loan holders after tax income to put toward their debt. But as near as I can tell, they also have to leave people with at least 30 times the federal hourly minimum wage per week. So, a little more than 200 bucks a week.

If you're in this situation and you're worried about garnishment, consumer advocates are suggesting reaching out to myeddebt.ed.gov. There's also the possibility of loan rehabilitation in some cases through studentaid.gov. Beyond that, there are also plans to move people from the SAVE program into other payment programs. Those plans, which are also ill-defined at the moment could affect seven million people.

Even more, Trump's attack on the working class, that's the thing he called the one Big Beautiful Bill, also put out more big shifts on the way. Unless something changes, it looks like both the income contingent repayment ICR plan and pay as you earn plan will both be shut down by mid 2028.

Have you ever noticed that when politicians know a policy is going to be wildly unpopular, they set the date it goes into effect a few years out? It's because they hope that voters forget who made the choice to disrupt their lives or financial security so they could hand more tax breaks to the wealthy because, you know, that's who really needs the help. It's worth remembering that the Republican party made the choice to do this at a time of record consumer debt. Delinquency rates for subprime auto loans are at a 15-year high, and buy now, pay later grocery debt has become a thing. Truly, we're in Trump's Golden Age.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.