How much would student loan forgiveness boost the economy?

Asked by: Norris Emmerich  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (57 votes)

While there are few direct estimates of the effect of debt cancelation in the literature, estimates based on the relationship between wealth and consumption suggest that this forgiveness could increase consumption by several billions of dollars each year in the next five to ten years.

Would student loan forgiveness increase inflation?

The researchers' model posits that cancelling student loan debt won't cause an astronomical amount of inflation. To be specific, there would be a very modest uptick as a result, perhaps 1.8-1.9 percent. In fact, the policy of debt cancellation could boost the GDP by an average of $86 billion to $106 billion per year.

How does student loan forgiveness affect the federal budget?

Student loan relief contributing to 27% jump in projected federal budget deficit, per CBO. Lawmakers will have to contend with even larger federal budget deficits, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

What are the positive effects of student loan forgiveness?

When debt burdens are lifted, student borrowers can start new businesses and in turn, create job opportunities for others. They can buy homes for the first time in their lives, pay down other debts such as their credit card bills, and have less reliance on social safety net programs.

What would happen if student loans are forgiven?

If your student loan debt is completely forgiven, your credit score may take a small, temporary hit. Additionally, while your debt relief won't be subject to federal income taxes, it may still be taxed at the state level.

Would student loan forgiveness help boost the economy?

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Is student loan forgiveness bad for the economy?

Cancelling student loan debt may reduce unemployment by adding up to 1.5 million new jobs. Federal student loans represent 90.8% of all student loan debt, public and privately held ($1.77 trillion total).

What are the drawbacks of student loan forgiveness?

  • Con 1: Student loan forgiveness is an abuse of the loan system. ...
  • Con 2: Student loan debt forgiveness would disproportionately help rich or more financially secure college graduates. ...
  • Con 3: Discharging student loan debt would be only a temporary bandage for the much larger problem of inflated college costs.

Who is hurt by student loan forgiveness?

It penalizes hard-working Americans

We've already discussed how the poor and working classes are treated unfairly by this plan. But the unfairness extends to many middle class families as well who worked hard to pay off their student loans or their children's student loans.

How does student debt affect the economy?

In particular, such debt may impede economic growth in the long-run by slowing spending across certain sectors and by destabilizing personal savings typically used to survive significant financial events, such as economic recessions and retirement.

What are the positive benefits of forgiveness?

What are the benefits of forgiving someone?
  • Healthier relationships.
  • Improved mental health.
  • Less anxiety, stress and hostility.
  • Fewer symptoms of depression.
  • Lower blood pressure.
  • A stronger immune system.
  • Improved heart health.
  • Improved self-esteem.

Will student loan forgiveness increase the national debt?

While the president's debt forgiveness plan was struck down in court, calls to forgive student loan debt will continue to be part of the broader policy and political debate. In addition to increasing the national debt and potentially worsening inflation. The same paycheck covers less goods, services, and bills.

How does student loan forgiveness affect taxes?

Right now, anyone who receives student loan forgiveness between 2021 and 2025 will not have to pay taxes on any amount of student debt forgiveness. PSLF or IDR forgiveness is a potential result for any borrower. However, not all borrowers will reach forgiveness.

How would lowering college tuition help the economy?

Investments in the education sector, especially when free college is offered, can have an exponential impact on a country's economic structure. A workforce with a strong foundation in higher education always increases productivity, resulting in total economic prosperity.

How does student loan forgiveness affect banks?

Student loan forgiveness is, in effect, a large stimulus package. That's likely to, in turn, bolster banks' liquidity like other waves of relief to consumers did throughout the pandemic. In the last few years, pandemic-era stimulus checks helped fuel a rise in deposits at banks.

Why is student loan debt so high?

Soaring college costs and pressure to compete in the job marketplace are big factors for student loan debt. Student loans are the most common form of educational debt, followed by credit cards and other types of credit. Borrowers who don't complete their degrees are more likely to default.

What causes inflation?

More jobs and higher wages increase household incomes and lead to a rise in consumer spending, further increasing aggregate demand and the scope for firms to increase the prices of their goods and services. When this happens across a large number of businesses and sectors, this leads to an increase in inflation.

Is student loan forgiveness good for the economy?

Student loan debt slows new business growth and limits consumer spending. Broad student loan debt forgiveness may help boost the national economy by making it more affordable for borrowers to participate in it.

Is student loan forgiveness fair?

Myth: Student loan forgiveness is the fair way to help Americans escape massive amounts of debt. Fact: Borrowers signed on the dotted line for their loans. Erasing these loans does not teach borrowers to manage their debts. Moreover, the cancelation is an insult to those who diligently paid off their loans.

How does debt help drive the US economy?

The national debt enables the federal government to pay for important programs and services even if it does not have funds immediately available, often due to a decrease in revenue.

What are the cons of student loan forgiveness?

Con: Forgiving debt is not fair to people who have already made their payments. Forgiving student debt would be a "great gift" to graduates, said the Boston Herald editorial board — but so would having your "mortgages, car loans, and … credit card debt" forgiven.

What race has the most student loan debt?

Black adults are more than twice as likely than white adults to have student loan debt. The following graph includes federal and private student loan debt among all adults. On average, Black adults in the U.S. also hold higher student loan debt balances than borrowers of other races.

Why should we cancel student debt?

Research has shown that cancellation would boost GDP by billions of dollars and add up to 1.5 million new jobs, reducing the unemployment rate. 5 Workers who are Black, Latinx, immigrants, women, and those in industries paying low wages are still facing a terrible economic situation with high levels of unemployment.

Why don't people want student loan forgiveness?

Some who oppose student loan forgiveness view education as a private commodity that benefits the person who purchases it."

What are 3 effects of not paying back student loans?

It may take years to reestablish a good credit record. You may not be able to purchase or sell assets such as real estate. Your loan holder can take you to court. You may be charged court costs, collection fees, attorney's fees, and other costs associated with the collection process.

What happens when student loans are forgiven?

If you qualify for forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge of the full amount of your loan, you won't have to make any more payments on that loan. If you qualify for forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge of a part of your loan, you'll need to pay back the remaining balance.