PORTLAND, Oregon — Millions of people who’ve fallen behind on student loan payments must now start repaying them or face a debt collector. Monday’s announcement from the Department of Education ends a pandemic-era policy that let loan defaults slide.
Involuntary collection begins May 5. For some students, it will be the first time they’ve ever had to confront the obligation of repaying their debt.
“It’s a little scary,” said Portland State University student Ella Dansky. “With the tariffs that are happening right now things are not cheep, and we can’t afford to pay for anything especially the loans.”…