True or False: Will Student Loans Be Forgiven After DOGE’s Alleged Privacy Breach?

Student Loans Forgiveness under DOGE: TikTok users have been spreading a claim that student loans could be forgiven because of allegations that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) illegally accessed private student data. This claim has gone viral, with many people hoping it could lead to their student debt being wiped out. But is there any truth to it? Let’s take a closer look.

Earlier this month, DOGE started accessing the Department of Education’s (ED) internal systems. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s plan to shut down the Department of Education entirely.

After this news came out, TikTok users began claiming that DOGE’s actions violated the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a law that protects students’ private educational records, such as grades, medical files, and financial aid details. The TikTokers argued that because of this violation, borrowers could get their loans forgiven if they filed a FERPA complaint.

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These videos quickly gained popularity, with millions of views and shares. Many people started posting instructions on how to file complaints, hoping to erase their student debt. However, legal experts say this idea is not based on reality.

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Andrew Miltenberg, a lawyer who specializes in education law, explained, “Let me be clear: there is no legal pathway right now for loan forgiveness due to a FERPA violation.” He added that FERPA applies to schools, not federal agencies like DOGE. Even if DOGE’s actions were found to violate FERPA, students could only file a complaint with the Department of Education. They would not be able to sue for damages or get their loans forgiven.

Privacy advocates are also looking into whether DOGE’s actions broke the Privacy Act of 1974, which protects people’s personal information from being misused. Some groups, like the University of California Student Association, have already filed lawsuits to stop DOGE from accessing sensitive student records.

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While the concerns about privacy violations are serious, there is no legal connection between these allegations and student loan forgiveness. Despite this, millions of borrowers are paying close attention to the situation, as any changes could impact student privacy and loan policies in the future.

Experts are warning people to be careful about believing viral social media claims. While these posts can be convincing, they often lack solid legal backing. For now, there is no evidence to support the idea that student loans will be forgiven because of DOGE’s actions. Borrowers should stay informed and rely on accurate information rather than viral rumors.