Student Debt Crisis Center Petition Demanding a Pause on Student Loan Payments Surpasses 200,000 Signers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2026
Contact:
Natalia Abrams
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, 209,359 student loan borrowers and allies have signed a Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) petition in support of pausing all federal student loan payments and interest. SDCC urges the Trump Administration and Department of Education to take immediate action.
Following the midterms, affordability is top of mind for millions of Americans. With a new Congress opening the door for real change, beginning with a payment pause would give student loan borrowers necessary relief while the 120th Congress legislates and conducts oversight. Lawmakers are already demanding answers from the Department of Education on their extensive failures managing the federal student loan system. Now, borrowers are holding those in charge accountable.
“The results of the midterm election are undeniable – Americans need relief from the burden of unaffordable living, and they need it now," said Natalia Abrams, President & Founder of the Student Debt Crisis Center. "Implementing an immediate pause on student loan payments and interest wouldn’t just be an effective way of providing relief, it would also free up room in the paychecks of over 43 million borrowers to pay bills, care for their families, and revitalize their local economies. It’s a no brainer.”
The milestone achievement of 200,000 signatures takes place amid a federal student loan system failure never before seen. Borrowers have repeatedly dealt with servicing failures, broken promises, and rising costs while the Department of Education has failed to deliver the relief they were promised. A payment pause is a simple step the Trump Administration can take today, and SDCC won’t stop pushing until it happens. As the 120th Congress gets to work, SDCC will keep organizing borrowers, amplifying their stories, and holding the Department of Education accountable for every borrower it has left behind.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Natalia Abrams at natalia@studentdebtcrisis.org.
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ABOUT Student Debt Crisis Center
Student Debt Crisis Center is a national advocacy organization with nearly 2,000,000 supporters calling for fundamental reforms to student loan policies and an end to the student debt crisis. Learn more here.
