Coalition Launches "One Big Bill" Campaign to Highlight Loan Struggles

WASHINGTON—As of July 1, significant changes to the federal student loan system have been implemented due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump. In reaction, a diverse group of labor unions, consumer protection advocates, student borrower organizations, and civil rights groups have initiated the "One Big Bill" campaign. This movement aims to highlight the experiences of millions of Americans affected by increased student loan bills and the broader financial impact of the legislation.

Individuals burdened by student loans are encouraged to share their experiences and new monthly statements at onebigbill.org. They can detail the impact of rising costs on their households. Supporting this initiative are organizations such as the AFT, Protect Borrowers, the NAACP, the National Association of Social Workers, and others. These groups are also observing instances where student-loan servicers may be failing in their duties, complicating repayment for families.

“President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill is now forcing student loan borrowers to pay hundreds more per month in repayments,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “But Congress seems determined to ignore the financial damage its signature legislation has inflicted. That’s why we’re encouraging borrowers with unaffordable student debt to publicly share their own One Big Student Loan Bill at onebigbill.org. It’s time for lawmakers to pay attention to the struggles of working- and middle-class borrowers squeezed by rising costs and finally act to fix America’s $1.7 trillion student loan crisis.”

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will do exactly what its name suggests: It hits American families with one big student loan bill,” said Amy Czulada, senior advisor for outreach and engagement of Protect Borrowers. “When President Trump signed the OBBBA, he cut millions in resources that families rely on to pay for college and repay their student loan debt, all to cover tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations. Today, the consequences of this law are hitting families in their pocketbooks when they can least afford it.”

“For Black borrowers, the student debt crisis is already holding back millions of families from building generational wealth and achieving the American Dream. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill law will make this crisis even worse,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “This new law will force student loan bills to skyrocket and bury even more families in debt. That’s why the NAACP is standing with this coalition and calling on borrowers to submit their new student loan bill at onebigbill.org. We must show policymakers in Washington the consequences of their decision to put billionaires over families.”

The campaign will amplify borrower stories from various communities, ensuring policymakers recognize the financial havoc wreaked on working families, and pressing for remedial actions.

Background

The campaign's launch coincides with the effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which enforces substantial reductions in student loan safety nets and financial aid, while also impacting programs like Medicaid and SNAP. This development aligns with the Trump administration's move to transition 7 million borrowers from Biden-era repayment plans to more costly alternatives.

These heightened student loan expenses arise amidst a broader affordability crisis in the U.S., where many struggle to manage costs for living essentials, housing, food, and childcare. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act intensifies this challenging scenario, with about 9 million Americans in default and 25% of borrowers facing delinquency. During the first year of Trump's second term, a new borrower default occurred every nine seconds, a rate significantly higher than pre-pandemic times.