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The distributional effects of student loan forgiveness

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  • Catherine, Sylvain
  • Yannelis, Constantine

Abstract

We study the distributional consequences of student debt forgiveness in present value terms, accounting for differences in repayment behavior across the earnings distribution. Full or partial forgiveness is regressive because high earners took larger loans, but also because, for low earners, balances greatly overstate the benefits of debt cancellation. Consequently, forgiveness would benefit the top decile as much as the bottom three deciles combined. Enrolling households who would benefit from income-driven repayment is less expensive and distributes more funds to lower-income households.

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  • Catherine, Sylvain & Yannelis, Constantine, 2023. "The distributional effects of student loan forgiveness," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(2), pages 297-316.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:147:y:2023:i:2:p:297-316
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2022.10.003
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    Cited by:

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    2. Emily Moschini & Tom Phelan, 2024. "The Evolution of Student Debt 2019–2022: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances," Economic Commentary, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, vol. 2024(10), pages 1-6, June.
    3. Lourie, Ben & Nekrasov, Alexander & Yoo, Il Sun, 2023. "The impact of debt forbearance on borrowers’ financial behavior and labor outcomes: Evidence from student loans," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Student debt; Inequality;

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • H81 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Governmental Loans; Loan Guarantees; Credits; Grants; Bailouts
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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