The Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments for and against the Biden administration’s student loan relief program.  

Arguments are set to begin in February with a decision expected by June. Until then, the federal government is still blocked from acting on its debt relief promise. Even still, the application portal was up long enough for people to apply and many of those that did have already been approved.

Several red states have challenged the program in court leading to the current injunction. Conservatives argue the program is unfair to taxpayers and an overreach of the executive branch.  

The Biden administration’s student debt relief program would forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loans for most eligible borrowers and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. The student loan forgiveness program was an attempt to fulfill a campaign promise made by Joe Biden.

In lieu of loan forgiveness, President Biden has extended the payment pause until late June -when a Supreme Court decision is expected. The Supreme Court has a conservative majority but has been reluctant to rule on the student loan forgiveness program until now.