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U.S. Education Department to restart defaulted student loan collections

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kentuckylantern.com – Shauneen Miranda – 2025-04-21 19:52:00

by Shauneen Miranda, Kentucky Lantern
April 21, 2025

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education said Monday that it will resume collections May 5 for defaulted federal student loans.

After pausing during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has not collected on defaulted loans in over five years. More than 5 million borrowers sit in default on their federal student loans, and just 38% of borrowers are current on their payments, the department said.

“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Monday.

During last year’s presidential campaign, President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor and successor, President Joe Biden, for his efforts to erase student debt. McMahon resumed that line of attack Monday, blaming Biden’s administration for unreasonably raising borrowers’ expectations of forgiveness.

“The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers,” McMahon said.

She added that “going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will restart the Treasury Offset Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department administers, on May 5.

The Education Department statement said all borrowers who are in default will get emails over the next two weeks “making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will “send required notices beginning administrative wage garnishment” later this summer.

More than 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt, according to the department. 

The administration claims that “instead of protecting responsible taxpayers, the Biden-Harris Administration put them on the hook for irresponsible lending, pushing the federal student loan portfolio toward a fiscal cliff.” 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Assessment: Center-Right

The content primarily reflects a Center-Right political bias, as it focuses on the resumption of federal student loan collections and criticizes the previous administration’s attempts to implement student debt forgiveness. The statements made by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlight a commitment to fiscal responsibility and emphasize the idea that taxpayers should not bear the burden of student loan defaults. Additionally, the language used aligns with conservative viewpoints that prioritize personal responsibility and criticize government overspending. The framing of the Biden administration’s actions as misleading further underscores a critical stance typical of a Center-Right perspective.

News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

Inside look: Kentucky Army National Guard operations exercise

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www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-09-13 22:39:12

SUMMARY: The Kentucky Army National Guard conducted a weekend training exercise in Louisville to sharpen skills for responding to natural disasters like floods and tornadoes. The exercise included helicopter simulations to ensure smooth protocol and effective communication during emergencies. Battalion S-3 Operations Officer Jacob Conner emphasized the importance of realistic, progressive training with instructor pilots to prepare members for real-world scenarios. This rigorous preparation aims to build proficiency, teamwork, and confidence, ensuring the Guard can effectively support communities throughout Kentucky during crises. The training highlights the Guard’s commitment to readiness and service to the commonwealth.

Inside look: Kentucky Army National Guard operations exercise

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Few showers possible Saturday night into Sunday

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www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-09-12 21:36:24

SUMMARY: Meteorologist Eric Zernich reports mostly dry, pleasant fall weather with clear skies and temperatures dipping into the 50s and 60s overnight. Most of the weekend stays dry, though a weak upper-level disturbance may bring a slight chance of showers late Saturday into Sunday morning, mainly in southern Indiana, but rain will likely fizzle due to dry conditions. Sunday will be warmer, reaching near 90°F, continuing into next week with summer-like heat in the 90s. Events like Bourbon and Beyond and the Gaslight Festival will enjoy mostly sunny skies, but attendees should stay hydrated as warm temperatures persist.

WLKY meteorologist Eric Zernich’s Friday night forecast

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Trump says he’ll send National Guard to Memphis, escalating his use of troops in US cities

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www.wnky.com – Associated Press – 2025-09-12 18:00:00

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, to address crime concerns, claiming local officials support the move. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomed the plan, while Memphis Mayor Paul Young opposed it, emphasizing community-focused solutions like rehabilitation and job support over military presence. Despite overall crime reductions and ongoing FBI operations, persistent gun violence and high-profile killings fuel concerns. Legal experts warn deploying troops for policing risks civil rights violations. Trump’s broader strategy involves sending troops to other Democratic-led cities, sparking political and legal debates over the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement.

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