President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that alters the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, effectively excluding certain public service employees from eligibility based on their affiliations or activities deemed "improper." This directive, announced by the White House, specifically targets individuals working for organizations involved in what the administration classifies as illegal activities, including support for terrorism, discrimination, and public disturbances.
The PSLF program, established through bipartisan legislation and signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, allows borrowers in public service roles to have their federal student loans forgiven after making ten years of qualifying payments. The new order aims to refocus the program on roles considered essential, like nursing, rather than those associated with activism.
Critics, including the Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC), have condemned the order as an attack on free speech and a move to silence organizations that may oppose the administration's policies. SDCC Executive Director Sabrina Calazans stated, “Eliminating PSLF access for anyone is a slap in the face to so many hard-working Americans.” The order is expected to disrupt the lives of many nonprofit workers and may lead to legal challenges regarding its implementation.
The Trump administration argues that the changes are necessary to uphold public service integrity and ensure that the PSLF program serves its intended purpose.