Get All Access for $5/mo

9 Million People Were Told By Mistake Their Student Loan Forgiveness Was Approved A follow-up email admitting the mistake blamed "vendor error."

By Steve Huff

Stefani Reynolds | Getty Images

Nine million people who had applied for student debt forgiveness received an email in November telling them their application was approved. Unfortunately, another message arrived this week, admitting the approval email was sent in error.

Thanks to litigation over the program, federal courts have blocked debt forgiveness. The millions who were sent the inaccurate approval email do have some reason to hope — their applications, for now, are simply in limbo and haven't been rejected or approved.

"Due to a vendor error," the new message read in part, "you recently received an email with a subject line indicating your application for the one-time Student Loan Debt Relief Plan had been approved. The subject line was inaccurate. The body of the previous email was accurate."

CNN reports that Accenture Services, the vendor in question, blamed human error for the wrong subject line.

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether the student loan forgiveness program is legal in February 2023, with an opinion likely to follow in June. Should the Court render a favorable verdict for the government, millions who qualify for the program could see from $10,000 to $20,000 of their federal student debt canceled.

Meanwhile, President Biden's pandemic payment pause, originally set to expire at the end of this year, will remain in effect for two months following the Supreme Court hearing, ending in early summer 2023. If the student loan forgiveness program is revived, up to 40 million Americans will be eligible.

Steve Huff

Entrepreneur Staff

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Growing a Business

How to Build, Grow and Make Money With Ecommerce

To grow your online business, you need to develop a strategy and invest your time wisely. These actionable tips can attract customers and increase online revenue.

Living

70% of Small Business Owners Experience Monthly Burnout. Follow These 3 Rules to Avoid the Same Fate.

Here are three guidelines to help entrepreneurs achieve balance, growth and success in both their professional and personal endeavors.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.