AFT Sues Education Department Over PSLF Delays

The American Federation of Teachers and public-service workers have sued the U.S. Department of Education, alleging it miscounted loan-forgiveness credits and delayed decisions under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The complaint names Education Secretary Linda McMahon and says the agency’s actions have prolonged repayment for eligible borrowers. The allegations have not been tested in court. The case, Weingarten v. McMahon, was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs say borrowers’ qualifying payment totals were reduced earlier this year, in some cases without explanation, and that the department has failed to credit periods of qualifying public service. They also challenge delays in the PSLF Buyback program, which allows eligible borrowers to request retroactive credit for certain months in deferment or forbearance by making payments for those months. A court filing cited in the reporting said 88,000 borrowers were awaiting buyback decisions in the spring. Separately, AFT President Randi Weingarten estimated that 90,000 public employees were affected by delays. The figures describe different populations and measures. The department has not...