Would student loan forgiveness hurt or help the American economy?

Asked by: Eldon Runte Jr.  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (72 votes)

Positive Impacts of Canceling Student Debt Though plenty of borrowers owe more than $10,000, any sort of student loan forgiveness would benefit them financially. Some economists believe loan forgiveness also would stimulate the economy as borrowers could use that money for other purposes, such as buying a home.

How could student loan forgiveness impact the US economy?

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.

Does student loan debt hurt the economy?

The benefits of higher education come in the form of higher wages, increased productivity, and positive social outcomes — making degree attainment a high-return investment. At the same time, high levels of student debt can also harm certain sectors of the economy and lower the net wealth of households.

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.

Would student loan forgiveness help boost the economy?

22 related questions found

Does student loan forgiveness cause inflation?

If the debt forgiveness program is permitted to move forward, at a time when consumer spending already is high, it could lead to more inflation, Jones said.

Should student loans be forgiven pros and cons?

The pros and cons of student loan forgiveness
  • Con: Forgiving debt is not fair to people who have already made their payments. ...
  • Pro: Debt forgiveness is the empathetic solution. ...
  • Con: Student loan forgiveness does not address the root problem and could even exacerbate it. ...
  • Pro: Debt cancellation could improve economic equity.

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.

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.

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.

Will student loans debt cause another recession?

Is that true? While student loan repayments are a burden on many households and could impact the economy, a repeat of the widespread devastation of the Great Financial Crisis seems very unlikely.

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.

Why is cancelling student debt good?

Student loan debt cancellation is essential to the financial wellness of millions of Americans. With student debt cancellations, people will be able to pay off other debts, purchase homes, and invest in their communities, futures, and the American economy.

How will student loans impact the American economy long term?

The Long-Term Economic Consequences

The report also noted that the rise in education debt increased borrowers' odds of default, adversely impacting their credit scores and ability to apply for a mortgage. In the last three years, the rate of millennial renters giving up on homeownership has increased by 65.7 percent.

Who holds the most student debt?

Student Debt vs Income by Age Groups

Among the age groups, adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are the most likely to have student loan debt. Meanwhile, adults between the ages of 35 and 49 years old on average owe the most student loan debt.

How does student loan forgiveness affect 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.

How do student loans affect taxes?

You can take a tax deduction for the interest paid on student loans that you took out for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent. This benefit applies to all loans (not just federal student loans) used to pay for higher education expenses. The maximum deduction is $2,500 a year.

What is the tax bomb on student loan forgiveness?

A “student loan forgiveness tax bomb” happens when your loan balance is forgiven and you must pay taxes on that amount. This primarily affects borrowers on income-driven repayment plans who've made reduced payments for years.

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.

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.

Why is student loan debt a problem?

Economic and social consequences of the student loan debt crisis affect individuals the most, impacting daily lives and hopes for the future. Among low-end wage earners, education is worth significantly less. The median wage among workers with earnings among the lowest 10% is less than half the national median wage.

What are student loans' pros and cons?

The Pros and Cons of Student Loans
  • Pro: Student Loans Can Fund Your Dream School. ...
  • Con: Student Loans Create Post-College Debt. ...
  • Pro: Student Loans Help You Enjoy a Better College Experience. ...
  • Con: Student Loan Debt Can Get in the Way of Lifestyle Goals. ...
  • Pro: Student Loans Can Help You Build Credit.

What are three reasons arguments in favor of student loan debt forgiveness?

Since student loan debt disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx borrowers, especially women, cancelling student debt is a racial and economic justice issue.
  • Student loan debt is a national crisis. ...
  • Cancelling student debt would advance gender and racial equity. ...
  • Cancelling student debt is good for the economy.

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."