The debt isn't forgiven, the private companies that made the loans are paid by the feds. These programs are windfalls for banks that make what would otherwise be highly-speculative loans. There is a large economic incentive for students to take out loans they'll never repay and shift the burden onto the tax payer.

If universities were 'loaning' the tuition money to students directly, that perhaps could be 'forgiven' as no money has actually changed hands.

The whole system needs an overhaul, same with secondary education. Make the education free to all by eliminating the 'nice to haves' and focus on the 'need to haves.'