15 Reasons Why Student Loan Debt Forgiveness is a Bad Idea

In recent news, an upcoming mass student loan forgiveness plan has been in the works for over a year, with 25 million borrowers expected to receive updates via email.1 

While the idea of debt relief might sound appealing to many, a closer look reveals a complex issue with potential drawbacks.

1. It’s Personal Responsibility

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Forgiving student loan debt could make individuals less cautious about taking on debt in the future, expecting potential bailouts. It might also diminish the sense of personal responsibility associated with borrowing and repaying loans.

Students should be held accountable for their financial decisions.

2. It’s Unfairn to Those Who Paid Off Loans or Didn’t Go to College

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Debt forgiveness would be unfair to individuals who have already responsibly paid off their loans or chose not to attend college due to financial constraints.

It would penalize those who made sacrifices and reward those who took on debt.

3. It Places Cost Burden to Taxpayers

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Forgiving student loans would place a huge burden on taxpayers, who would ultimately bear the cost. This could lead to increased taxes or cuts in other public services.

Is it fair to ask those who didn’t attend college or who already paid their loans to fund this initiative?

4. It Causes Inflationary Concerns

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A massive infusion of cash into the economy due to debt forgiveness could potentially fuel inflation, devaluing the currency and impacting everyone. This would particularly harm those on fixed incomes or with savings.

5. It Has Questionable Economic Impact

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While proponents argue that debt forgiveness would stimulate the economy, the actual impact is uncertain. The money saved on loan payments might not be spent in ways that boost economic growth significantly.

6. It Encourages Higher Tuition Costs

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Colleges and universities might see debt forgiveness as a green light to increase tuition fees further, knowing that the government might step in to cover the cost in the future. This could exacerbate the problem of student debt.

7. It Has Limited Impact on Overall Debt

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Student loan debt is just one component of the overall household debt burden. While forgiveness would provide relief to some, it wouldn’t address the broader issue of consumer debt in the economy.

8. It Has a Negative Impact on Credit Scores

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If student loan debt is forgiven without proper reporting to credit bureaus, it could negatively impact borrowers’ credit scores.

Positive payment history on loans can help build creditworthiness, and removing this debt might remove a positive credit factor.

9. It Creates Expectations for Future Bailouts

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Forgiving student loans could set a precedent for future bailouts of other types of debt, such as mortgages or credit card debt. This could create a cycle of dependency on government intervention and undermine financial responsibility.

10. It Poses Administrative Challenges

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Implementing a student loan forgiveness program would be a complex and costly undertaking. Determining eligibility, verifying loan details, and processing forgiveness applications could pose significant logistical challenges.

11. It Favors Higher Earners

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Studies have shown that a large portion of student loan debt is held by those with graduate degrees, who typically earn higher incomes.

Forgiveness would disproportionately benefit this group, while lower-income borrowers with smaller debts might see less benefit.

12. It Diminishes Value of Education

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If student loans are easily forgiven, it might diminish the perceived value of a college education. Students might become less motivated to choose programs wisely or excel academically if they believe debt is not a significant concern.

13. It Overlooks Root Cause of Issue

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Forgiving student loan debt doesn’t address the root causes of the issue, such as the rising cost of college tuition and the ease of obtaining loans.

Focusing on forgiveness might distract from efforts to reform the education financing system and make college more affordable.

14. It Weakens Financial Literacy

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The prospect of debt forgiveness might discourage students from developing essential financial literacy skills. Understanding debt management and responsible borrowing is crucial for long-term financial well-being.

15. It’s a Temporary Solution

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Instead of blanket forgiveness, policymakers could explore more targeted solutions, such as income-driven repayment plans, loan refinancing options, or expanding grants and scholarships. These approaches might be more equitable and sustainable in the long run.

Source:

  1. U.S. Department of Education
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.