Does the Redemption Tour ring a bell? Simone Biles sent shockwaves through the gymnastics world when she decided to step down from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She stayed away due to a debilitating case of ‘Twisties’ and the need to look after her mental health. But she was back with a vengeance during the Paris Summer Games and only had eyes for the prize. After successfully redeeming herself in the French capital, the 27-year-old shifted her focus to the Gold Over America Tour.

However, this was just the quiet before the storm. The gymnast works hard, but the internet works harder. A serious rumor regarding the Olympian and Student Loan Forgiveness had been making the rounds. According to the speculation, many believe the 27-year-old benefitted from the initiative to relieve $44,000 in student loan debt. The internet has been up in arms about whether this is fair or not. But before we move any further…

Did Simone Biles benefit from the Student Loan Forgiveness Program?

While the masses debate over whether this is fair or not, Simone Biles decided to put an end to the discussion. On October 21, the 11x Olympian clapped back on X, “y’all really need to stop believing everything you read on the internet.” Her biggest cheerleader and husband, Jonathan Owens, decided to back her up by retweeting her post with 4 double exclamation marks emojis in the caption. However, what brought this spectacle to a head? 

A user named stargaze1212 shared an update about Roseanne Barr disagreeing with the gymnast’s ability to rely on the program. ‘Why are we giving taxpayer funds to millionaires?’ she exclaimed. This sparked a conversation with many stating how, due to being an Olympic champion and a businesswoman, the 27-year-old shouldn’t have been able to relieve her debt. But what is the Student Loan Forgiveness Program? 

According to the Student Aid website, an individual could have their student loans canceled, forgiven or discharged. This means that they wouldn’t have to pay all, in a few cases, some of their loans. The initiative would aid those facing financial hardships. Many believe Simone Biles isn’t one of them. But the program isn’t necessarily restricted to low-income earners. So, keeping this in mind, the gymnast could have applied and gotten approved for it.

Now that the 11x Olympic medalist has spoken up, it’s safe to say that all of this is purely speculation and hearsay. Perhaps the outrage on the internet has solely been misguided or misinterpreted. In fact, the gymnast opted for a nonprofit tuition-free path by enrolling at the University of the People (UoPeople) in 2018. She studied business administration and was even one of their global ambassadors. One of the many reasons she opted for this path was due to the Olympics.

But while tuition-free sounds great, it didn’t mean she bore no costs. Keeping admission and assessment fees in mind, she still racked up a little student debt, albeit far less than if she had taken the traditional route. Simone Biles had even created a scholarship during her time there—the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund. This fund was for individuals in foster care—something close to her heart. “I was in foster care when I was younger, and I know what it’s like and the challenges involved,” the gymnast confessed. 

The world delved into her life in part 1 of her Netflix docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. The gymnast and her siblings were in foster care for quite a while. But her grandparents swooped in and decided to adopt them. “I want to make sure other foster kids get the same opportunity to pursue their dream of higher education,” the Olympian added. The 27-year-old has been through one adversity after another, but she has come out stronger. Even though the rumor put her in a terrible light, she triumphantly shut it down. So, to answer your question. No, she didn’t use the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.