This bill sets the interest rate at 2% for new and existing federal student loans. (Currently, interest rates on federal student loans range from 6.53% to 9.08%, depending on the loan type.)
Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish and implement procedures to modify the terms of federal student loans held by ED so the applicable rate of interest shall be 2% on the unpaid principal balance of the loan. ED must modify the interest rate without any action from the borrower.
Additionally, ED must establish and implement procedures to (1) refinance eligible loans that are not held by ED (e.g., privately held Federal Family Education Loans and Perkins Loans) as consolidation loans, and (2) allow a borrower to opt out of this loan refinancing. The bill outlines the terms and conditions of these refinanced loans, including by prohibiting ED from charging origination fees and by setting the interest rate at 2% on these loans.
The bill applies the 2% interest rate to new loans (i.e., federal student loans made beginning on the first July 1 after the bill's enactment) and also applies this rate retroactively to existing loans.