The student loan debt relief website is now live and expected to provide relief to as many as 43 million borrowers

The White House on Monday announced the official launch of the student debt relief application website, giving students in debt a chance to eliminate as much as $20,000 of what they owe.

The program includes $10,000 of relief for borrowers who make less than $125,000 dollars a year.

“Already did, already did immediately, did not waste any time,” says Akkinnuoye. Akinnuoye says that this program has taken a weight off her shoulders.

“Even before I took any loans I was already really anxious about taking loans, it always scared me, and the less loans I owe the more free I’m able to be in a sense, to just be able to do what I need to in this life,” says Akkinnuoye.

President Biden in August announced his decision to cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for individuals making less than $125,000 a year or as much as $20,000 for eligible borrowers who were also Pell Grant recipients.

The program has been criticized by a number of Republicans who say the forgiveness is unfair and will add to the nation's deficit. A report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said it would add about $400 billion over the next 30 years.

“Over the last ten years or so, it’s been about 44% of our students are Pell Grant recipients so that’s a significant number that are going to benefit from that extra $10,000 relief,” said Jane Reynolds, OSU Cascades Chief Enrollment Officer.