On December 22, President Biden announced an extension of pandemic relief for federal student loan borrowers through May 1, 2022. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-136) first paused payments, collections on defaulted loans, and interest accumulation on federal loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) in March 2020; the latest announcement marks the sixth administrative extension of these measures.

Though the White House aimed to resume federal student loan payments on January 31, 2022, the recent COVID-19 omicron surge prompted the decision to extend the freeze through May 1, 2022. According to ED, the temporary freeze will help 41 million Americans weather the ongoing economic impacts of the pandemic. It will also allow the administration to assess the impacts of the omicron variant on student borrowers. However, federal officials are urging borrowers to prepare for payments to resume using ED resources. County officials are encouraged to share these resources with residents concerned about the financial impact of resuming payments.

NACo will continue to monitor action on federally-owned student loans.