Do you have student loan debt? Over 45 million people in this country do. The total amount of debt has accumulated to $1.75 Trillion nationwide (US Department of Education, 2022). This petition is demanding that President Joe Biden cancel this overwhelming debt that is hanging over the people of the United States. Faculty and librarians in Massachusetts state colleges also support this demand.

Student debt affects people across all walks of life, especially students, staff, alumni, and the families of students past, present, and future in public higher education in Massachusetts, where a greater proportion of students at public universities borrow than students at private universities. Students leaving school are limited financially, and are often unable to buy homes, cars, or address other vital needs to start a self-sustaining life. This debt follows many through their careers and, for some, even into their retirement. Staff is forced to work for fewer hours, with limited benefits, due to cuts on campuses nationwide. Families of students are drowning in loan payments for years after their child has graduated. Students in this country are supposed to be granted the right to public higher education once completing high school in their resident state. But, this promise of an affordable college education is no more. Public higher education is no longer public. 

The only way to put an end to this unfair burden is to cancel all student loan debt. President Joe Biden needs to see the suffering that the people of this country are facing.