Mike Pierce

Join Mike Pierce, the Executive Director and co-founder of the Student Borrower Protection Center, and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, a national higher education reporter for The Washington Post. They dive into the resumption of federal student loan payments affecting over five million borrowers. The duo discusses the impact of looming collections, including potential garnishments of Social Security and tax refunds. They also tackle the complexities of repayment options, staffing shortages in support centers, and the broader implications of student debt on the economy.

Join Evan White, Executive Director of the California Policy Lab, as he highlights alarming student loan delinquency rates in California. Julie Margetta Morgan, President of The Century Foundation, discusses the confusing landscape of loan forgiveness, while Mike Pierce from Protect Borrowers reveals the issues with private servicers. They tackle the impact of pandemic relief, recent legislative changes, and how unstable policies threaten borrower protections. Real-life experiences emphasize the urgent need for reform in the student loan system.

This discussion features Ryann Liebenthal, a writer focused on student debt, along with Chenjerai Kumanyika, a journalism professor and audio documentarian, and Mike Pierce, director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. They dive into the alarming rise of student debt, which now surpasses $1.8 trillion, and argue for systemic reforms including free college. The conversation also tackles the predatory nature of for-profit colleges, the emotional toll of debt, and the importance of collective action to challenge the current financial landscape of higher education.