Biden cancels $4.5 billion in student loan debt for 261,000 Ashford University attendees.

• On Wednesday, the Biden administration declared that it would absolve $4.5 billion in student debt for 261,000 borrowers who studied at Ashford University.
• Those who studied at the largely online institution between March 1, 2009 and April 30, 2020, are eligible for relief.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration declared that it would absolve $4.5 billion in student debt for 261,000 borrowers who studied at the defunct Ashford University.

Those who studied at the largely online institution between March 1, 2009 and April 30, 2020, are eligible for relief.

The Education Department announced that the California Department of Justice requested loan cancellation for federal student loan borrowers due to evidence gathered during its lawsuit against Ashford University and its parent company, Zovio, Inc.

30 million individuals could utilize the IRS's free Direct File program. Biden granted student loan forgiveness to an additional 150,000 borrowers. The amount saved by abstaining from alcohol during "dry January" can be calculated.

In 2020, the University of Arizona bought Ashford University. According to HigherEd Dive, Zovio announced plans to shut down in late 2022.

The University of Arizona did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The university was accused by California's Justice Department of misleading students with false promises and information about costs and career outcomes in order to enroll them.

According to U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal, Ashford University has been found to use deceptive recruiting tactics in multiple federal and state investigations.

"The majority of Ashford students did not graduate, and those who did were frequently saddled with significant debt and low salaries."

Over $183.6 billion in federal student loan debt has been forgiven by Biden since he took office, benefiting more than 5 million borrowers.