As the Nov. 5 election looms, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offer starkly different visions for student loan policy at a time when the topic is top of mind for voters.
More than one in five student loan borrowers (22%) say that student loan forgiveness is one of the most important issues when choosing a presidential candidate, according to a recent NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll. Both parties are thinking about the issue: 43% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans say student loan repayment will impact their vote, per the recent 2024 EdAssist by Bright Horizons Education Index.
The official Democratic and Republican platforms, along with past statements, actions and related policy documents, indicate how each candidate may approach student loans if elected to the White House.
Harris and her running mate, Minnesota governor Tim Walz, would likely continue to champion the student loan efforts started under President Biden, who has erased $168.5 billion in student …