My journey to student loan relief
By Luz Sosa
Once burdened by the weight of seemingly insurmountable student loans, my life took an unexpected turn when my union, the American Federation of Teachers, Local 212, stepped in to guide me towards the path of student loan forgiveness. Little did I know that their support, combined with the positive changes brought about by Joe Biden’s election win and Bernie Sanders’ persistent advocacy, would pave the way for my loans to be forgiven.
The journey began when I had all but given up on the possibility of ever breaking free from the shackles of student debt. As I struggled to make monthly payments while balancing the costs of living, my union stepped in as a beacon of hope. They provided valuable resources and information about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, a program designed to forgive the student loans of individuals working in public service after meeting certain criteria.
As I struggled to make monthly payments while balancing the costs of living, my union stepped in as a beacon of hope.
Through their guidance, I learned that by working for a qualified employer, making consistent payments for a specific period, and meeting other eligibility requirements, I could potentially have my loans forgiven. This newfound knowledge reignited my determination to navigate the PSLF program, and I began taking the necessary steps to ensure I met all the criteria.
However, the road to student loan forgiveness was not without its challenges. The system, as it stood, was riddled with complexities, lack of transparency and inequities. But that’s when the 2020 presidential election and Joe Biden’s victory changed the course of the nation.
As president, Joe Biden took important steps to address the issues in the student loan system, recognizing the plight of millions of Americans burdened by educational debt. His administration implemented policies to make the system fairer, more transparent and equitable, ensuring that those like me would have a better chance at accessing loan forgiveness.
My experience stands as a testament to the significance of unions, political advocacy and elections.
Crucially, Bernie Sanders’ relentless advocacy for student loan forgiveness made it a central issue during the presidential campaigns, which kept the focus on this crucial problem. His efforts helped keep the Biden administration accountable and committed to finding meaningful solutions to the student debt crisis.
With the combined efforts of my union, Biden’s administration and Sanders’ unwavering dedication, the necessary changes were made to the student loan forgiveness system. The process became more accessible and less convoluted, allowing deserving individuals to find the relief they desperately needed.
As the wheels of the bureaucratic system turned, I continued to fulfill my obligations diligently, making sure that I adhered to all the requirements of the PSLF program. The day finally came when I received the news I had been dreaming of — my student loans were forgiven!
The weight that had burdened me for so long lifted, and a sense of freedom and relief washed over me. The journey had been challenging, but it had shown me the power of collective action, the importance of staying politically engaged and the impact that elections can have on people’s lives.
My experience stands as a testament to the significance of unions, political advocacy and elections. It reaffirmed the idea that people matter, and when individuals come together with a common purpose, positive change can be achieved. Today, I am not only free from the weight of student debt but also inspired to use my voice to advocate for meaningful change and help others who may still be struggling under the burden of educational loans.
Luz Sosa is an economics instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College and a member of AFT Local 212. This post originally appeared on her Medium account.
Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for our monthly AFT e-newsletters.
