Poll: Most NYers surveyed support Biden's student loan forgivness plan

ALBANY — Most New Yorkers, including those who already paid back their college loans, support President Joe Biden’s executive order to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The Siena Research Institute poll found that 56% of New Yorkers surveyed support the Democratic plan compared with 33% who oppose it. The poll also found 17% of respondents still owe money for student loans.

Of those who said they had already paid back their student loans in full, 63% supported the measure while 31% opposed it.

Two-thirds of Republicans, however, say the Democratic plan is unfair to those who have paid their loans and believe the action will increase inflation. A plurality of adults not enrolled in party also opposed the plan.

Institute Director Don Levy said supporters believed the loan forgiveness would help the economy as well as the former students. Support is greatest among New Yorkers under 50 years old and among Black New Yorkers, Levy said.

The poll said 67% of those 34 to 49 years old and 60% of those 18 to 34 years old support the action. Among Black adults, 77% percent support the measure.

Under Biden's plan, most former students with incomes less than $125,000 or household incomes of less than $250,000 will see $10,000 in forgiveness. Recipients of federal Pell Grants, which is based on financial need, could see $20,000 of their federal debt canceled. The measure also caps student loan payments at 5% of income annually.

The poll found 65% of Republicans oppose the plan, while 26% support it. Among adults not enrolled in a party, 46% oppose the plan with 38% supporting it. Democratic voters, who dominate the state’s electorate, support Biden’s plan 82% to 13%.

In the suburbs, including Lon,g Island, 45% support the plan compared with 39% who oppose it, according to the poll.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul called Biden’s plan “great news” that “will help thousands of working families and middle-class New Yorkers.”

Republican nominee for governor, Lee Zeldin of Shirley, called the measure “a slap in the face to people who sacrificed to pay loans, worked through college, went to a less expensive school or skipped college altogether.” 

The poll questioned 402 adults from Aug. 28 to Thursday and has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.