Linda McMahon Pledges to Keep Public Service Loan Foregiveness (PSLF) Program For Student Loan Borrowers
The confirmation hearing of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education signals the start of a new phase for student loan policy under the Trump administration. While many student loan programs are in the new administration’s crosshairs, one loan forgiveness program for student loan borrowers may receive at least a reprieve: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
In a surprising move, McMahon affirmed during her Senate hearing earlier this week that she would uphold the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, even if pressured by the White House’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to dismantle it. Her commitment comes despite the GOP’s long-standing opposition to PSLF and Trump’s broader plan to restructure the Department of Education.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): A Lifeline for Public Service Workers—Under Threat?
PSLF, enacted in 2007 under President George W. Bush, provides student debt relief for government and nonprofit workers who make ten years of qualifying payments. For decades, it has served as a critical incentive for teachers, firefighters, military personnel, and public defenders to take on roles, often with lower salaries but high societal value. Yet, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly sought to eliminate or scale back the program, arguing that it unfairly favors public-sector employees over private-sector workers.
During Trump’s first term, then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos attempted to dismantle PSLF entirely. Mass denials of forgiveness applications marked her tenure—99% of applicants were rejected, highlighting deep administrative flaws. In contrast, the Biden administration aggressively expanded PSLF through a temporary waiver that corrected past bureaucratic errors, ultimately granting more than one million borrowers loan forgiveness since 2021.
McMahon’s Vow to Uphold PSLF—A Genuine Promise or Political Maneuver?
During her confirmation hearing, McMahon was pressed by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) on whether she would implement PSLF even if pressured by Trump’s administration to discontinue it. “If the DOGE brothers or somebody else tells you, ‘We don’t like these programs, and we don’t want you to implement them,’ I can count on you to stand up and fully implement them?” Kaine said. Her response was unequivocal: “Yes, because that’s the law.” “We certainly should honor those programs,” McMahon continued. “And if we want stronger or more programs for loan forgiveness, then I think Congress should pass those programs and then we would implement it.”
While her assurance provides some relief to borrowers, history suggests that executive agencies have significant leeway in enforcing existing programs. The DeVos era demonstrated that an administration hostile to PSLF could dramatically slow down or obstruct forgiveness applications, even without outright repeal.
McMahon’s broader stance on student loan policy remains unclear. Although she acknowledged during her confirmation hearing that restructuring the Department of Education would require congressional approval, she did not oppose Trump’s vision of drastically reshaping or even dismantling the agency. If PSLF is preserved but subject to deliberate administrative hurdles, borrowers could face prolonged uncertainty and bureaucratic gridlock again.
What Happens Next With PSLF And Other Student Loan Forgiveness Programs?
McMahon’s nomination will proceed to a Senate committee vote on February 20, followed by a full Senate confirmation vote. If confirmed, her handling of PSLF will be a key indicator of the Trump administration’s approach to student loan policy. While she has vowed to uphold the law, the real test will be whether the program continues to function effectively or reverts to the dysfunction seen under DeVos.
McMahon’s commitment is a temporary reassurance for student loan borrowers banking on PSLF, but it may not be enough. If past Republican efforts are any indication, PSLF will likely remain in the political crosshairs. Borrowers should stay informed, document their qualifying payments meticulously, and prepare for potential administrative hurdles in the years ahead.
The upshot: Ultimately, McMahon’s words offer hope for PSLF, but student loan borrowers have learned that promises made in confirmation hearings don’t always translate into reality.
Read the full article here
