The Nationwide Affiliation of Social Employees (NASW) continues to advocate for pupil mortgage debt-relief for social employees and to enhance current debt-relief packages such because the Public Service Mortgage Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Sadly, packages equivalent to PSLF have been wrought with endemic challenges, making it troublesome for social employees particularly to entry debt aid—even after satisfying all of this program’s service necessities.
NASW views pupil mortgage debt aid as a social justice priority – particularly when positioned throughout the context of knowledgeable subject through which the excessive academic debt burden intersects with traditionally low salaries and reimbursement for the important providers rendered by this important workforce.
To additional elevate this important workforce subject, NASW secured an oral testimony alternative for 2 NASW members to share their private tales and experiences with pupil mortgage debt. The Senate Banking, Housing and City Affairs Committee hosted a listening session on Could 3, 2022, through which NASW members, Megan Bailey and Deborah Harburger, testified in regards to the burden of pupil mortgage debt. A recording of the listening session is out there on the Committee’s web site.
Megan, who continues to work in group psychological well being, shared that though she was capable of qualify for the Nationwide Well being Service Corps program, she continues to have a big debt burden as reimbursement funds acquired solely primarily lined a lot of accrued the curiosity on her pupil mortgage debt. In her testimony, Megan mentioned, “I fear in regards to the pipeline into the well being and behavioral well being professions and whether or not right this moment’s highschool college students will proceed to decide on careers in psychological well being and behavioral healthcare, with such exorbitant tuition, low salaries and troublesome working circumstances.” Megan is once more searching for pupil mortgage debt-relief by means of the temporary waiver, and is at the moment awaiting a call from the Division of Schooling on her PSLF software.
Deborah, has labored for 18 years for the State of Maryland. She participated within the Little one Welfare Title IV-E Program, a federal coaching program which helped pay for her graduate work. In her testimony, Deborah mentioned, “In 2017, after finishing 10 years of public service, I used to be shocked to obtain a denial, informing me that, whereas my funds had been on time and my employment certified, my explicit federal, pupil loans weren’t eligible.” Deborah was then suggested to maneuver her loans into a distinct program and to “re-start the ten 12 months and 120-payment clock.” Like Megan, Deborah is once more searching for aid, and is awaiting a call from the Division of Schooling on her PSLF software by means of the momentary waiver.
On Could 5, 2022, after the Megan and Deborah’s testimony, the Senate Banking, Housing and City Affairs Committee hosted a hearing on pupil mortgage debt, Analyzing Pupil Mortgage Servicers and Their Affect on Employees. Mike Pierce, Government Director of the Pupil Borrower Safety Middle, with whom NASW companions on pupil mortgage debt advocacy, supplied testimony on the listening to. He referred to as for enhancements within the pupil mortgage debt course of and cancellation of pupil mortgage debt, saying, “Ending the coed debt disaster is a matter of fairness and a matter of justice.”
To seek out out extra about NASW‘s advocacy efforts and pupil mortgage debt aid, go to the NASW website.
