President Joe Biden’s tenure in the White House has been a dividing issue amongst the American people so far. He came into office on the tail end of one of the most controversial presidents in recent history, with over a third of his new constituents believing that the election was stolen.

With his Presidency already darkened by those who opposed him, and the events of Jan. 6, 2021, still fresh on America’s mind, hopes weren’t that high for Biden’s four years. As time passes, and the 46th president’s term goes on, things seem to be taking a turn for the better.

Recently, Biden announced  the federal government would be forgiving up to $20,000 worth of debt to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education, and up to $10,000 worth of cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Biden’s decision to relieve many young Americans of some of their student debt is exactly what our nation needs most: education cost reform.

Pell Grants began in 1973, as part of the Higher Education Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson. For the past almost 50 years, Pell Grants have stood as a cornerstone of American higher education, given purely based on financial need, and helping millions of students from low to moderate income families attend college. Pell makes up the vast majority of financial aid grants, but has over time been unable to keep up with the rising costs of higher education.

The average Pell Grant in 1975 covered almost 80% of the cost of a four-year college education for an average student, but now that number has fallen to almost 30%. This is a stark fall that has left many students who come from low-income families forced to borrow from larger loan companies, with often high interest rates, if they wish to get a higher education. According to the Department of Education, the average undergraduate student graduates with over $25,000 in debt.

Obviously there is something very wrong if most students seeking a higher education are forced to become massively in debt, especially in a society that places such a large emphasis on a college degree. If we want our nation to continue to be strong and educated, we need meaningful reform toward the way that we do college, and the way that we pay for it.

Biden’s Debt Relief Act won’t completely fix the problem–after all, colleges will most likely continue to bump up tuition prices further as time goes on–but it represents a meaningful stride in the right direction.

It shows that the Biden administration acknowledges that there is a problem, and hopefully this Relief Act will be the spark that spurs more debt relief in the future, and maybe even inspires change for the larger loan corporations, and colleges that continue to hike up tuition prices.