Where the Candidates Stand: Education

Joe Biden

The heart of Biden’s education plan is a call to triple the money the federal government sends to low-income schools and districts from about $16 billion per year to about $48 billion. Biden’s plan draws clear lines on how that money should be used: Teachers should get a raise, 3- and 4-year-olds should get access to pre-K, and rigorous coursework (such as Advanced Placement classes) should be available at all schools. But, the biggest takeaways from his plan is the increased federal spending on low-income schools and a back away from ‘common-core’ principles pushing accountability standards back to states.

As for student debt relief, under Biden's plan, the income-driven student loan repayment system would be dramatically simplified. Borrowers who make less than $25,000 per year would not need to make payments, and interest would not accrue. Borrowers who make more than $25,000 would have to pay just 5% of their discretionary income towards loan payments, this would effectively cut payments in half for many borrowers. Further, After 20 years under Biden's income-based plan, the remainder of borrowers' federal student loan debt would be forgiven. Any forgiven loans wouldn't be taxable. Tuition-free community college. Unlike some of his rivals, Biden is not in favor of free public universities, but he does support two years of free community college but he would expand Pell Grants.