Published October 13, 2021 
Department of Education Announces New Actions Regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
On October 6, the U.S. Department of Education announced a series of upcoming actions regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Created in 2007, PSLF aims to forgive student debt after an individual working in public service completes 10-years of minimum payment requirements. However, this promise of debt relief has largely been unmet. According to the announcement, too few borrowers receive forgiveness. In fact, many are not seeing credit for the years of payments already made due to complicated eligibility rules, servicing errors, and other technicalities.
As the Department works to overhaul the PSLF program, they are looking at many possible actions. These actions may include time-limited waivers allowing student borrowers to count payments from all federal loan programs or repayment plans, opportunities to automate PSLF eligibility, and an expanded communications campaign to assist applicants. To view the Department of Education press release and learn more, click here.
Urge Congress to Support and Pass the Student Assisted Vaccination Effort (SAVE) Act
This past June, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Student Assisted Vaccination Effort (SAVE) Act (S.2114). This bipartisan bill would permanently allow qualified health profession students, including nursing students, to assist with vaccination efforts during federally declared public health emergencies. The SAVE Act builds off an amendment made to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act earlier this year. However, this amendment is set to expire when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, which would limit the ability of qualified health profession students to contribute to future public health emergencies. Click here to send a message to your Senators asking them to cosponsor and pass the SAVE Act today.
Mark Your Calendar: Registration Opens Monday, October 18 for AACN’s 2022 Student Policy Summit!
On Monday, October 18 at 8:00 am (ET) registration for AACN's 2022 Student Policy Summit will open. This two-day conference, on March 27-28, 2022, is available to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students enrolled at an AACN member institution. The Policy Summit provides an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in professional advocacy and learn, first-hand, the role of nursing in the broader policy realm. Up to two students per institution may attend, and students must obtain permission from their dean. This year, there are only 200 slots available! Please note that registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more detailed information, visit the Student Policy Summit website or CLICK HERE to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to another successful Summit!
