Congress was working to finalize a deal before the Senate went on recess August 7, but thus far negotiations have not produced much in the way of compromise. On August 8, the president signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to extend the pause on all federally-held student loan payments and accrual of interest until December 31, 2020. Recall that the president suspended student loan payments for two months via executive order in March, with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act codifying that action into law and extending it to six months. Advocates for students, however, are raising questions as to whether this executive action is as expansive as the relief provided by the CARES Act. The executive order comes as negotiations for the next stimulus package between Congressional Republicans and Democrats and the White House remain stalled. Read more about the various proposals for coronavirus relief packages, and much more, in the August 2020 Washington Insights.
Read the August 2020 Washington Insights.
Washington Insights provides the latest news, guidance, and inside-the-beltway advice on the complex subject of financial aid in higher education. Washington Insights is prepared by Dr. Sharon Bob, Ph.D., the Distance Education Accrediting Commission's Special Consultant on Student Aid.