Education Secretary Says Federal Student Loan Pause Will Soon End

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said last week that the current federal student loan payment pause will end "no later than June 30."

Key Details: The pause began on March 13, 2020 in response to the national COVID-19 public health emergency. After that emergency declaration expired last week, payments are set to resume. 

Key Quote: “The emergency period is over, and we’re preparing our borrowers to restart,” Cardona said at a Senate Appropriations hearing on Thursday.

For Context: Last November, the Biden Administration extended its pause of student loan repayments through June 1, 2023. On February 28th, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the debt relief plan from Biden Administration officials and its challengers. The debt relief plan would cancel up to $10,000 for individual borrowers who make under $125,000 a year and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

How the Media Covered it: Sources across the political spectrum covered the news. Some left-rated sources suggested Cardona believes the Supreme Court will uphold Biden's relief plan, while others are more skeptical.