Biden administration extends student loan payment pause through end of January

The Biden administration is giving Americans a "final extension" on the suspension of their student loan repayment that will last until January 31, 2022, the Education Department announced Friday. 

The pandemic-induced extension includes loan repayments, interest and collections. As recently as Thursday, the department had no updates on the status of the pause that was scheduled to end on September 30.  "The payment pause has been a lifeline that allowed millions of Americans to focus on their families, health, and finances instead of student loans during the national emergency," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. "As our nation's economy continues to recover from a deep hole, this final extension will give students and borrowers the time they need to plan for restart and ensure a smooth pathway back to repayment."