New Mexico Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Biden v. Nebraska blocking President Biden’s student loan relief program:
"Today’s Supreme Court decision to block President Biden’s federal student loan relief plan will negatively impact the more than 200,000 New Mexicans who owe a collective $7.8 billion to private out-of-state loan servicers as a result of not having the privilege of paying for their education up front. While education is the most powerful tool for economic prosperity, too many New Mexicans are burdened with student debt, which not only includes the original cost of their education, but thousands of dollars in interest. Regardless of this decision, New Mexico will continue to be a national leader in college access and affordability by limiting student debt through tuition-free college thanks to the Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships and by continuing to provide relief for hardworking professionals through our generous loan repayment and loan-for-service programs."