The Trump administration is proposing new limits on student borrowing as part of a broader plan to curb the cost of college.
White House officials announced the plan Monday amid a list of education priorities as Congress sets out to overhaul the Higher Education Act.
The plan says Congress should put a cap on federal student loans to prevent borrowers from taking on unmanageable debt. Officials didn’t propose specific limits but said it could vary by academic program.
The White House also wants to combine five loan repayment options into one plan that would cap monthly payments at 12.5 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income.
Trump’s oldest daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, said the plan aims to “modernize our higher education system to make it more affordable, flexible and outcomes-oriented.”
In a statement on Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders called on lawmakers to get behind the proposals, saying they “would provide more Americans access to affordable and quality education, improve institutional accountability, and help students and families make informed decisions regarding their educational options.”
“Remarkably, student loan debt exceeds what Americans owe in credit card debt, auto loans, or home equity loans,” the statement said. “Members of Congress who are committed to ensuring Americans thrive in today’s strong, modern, and growing economy should support and pass these reforms.”
