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The Student Aid Action just reminded me that on September 26th, the Congress is considering a proposal to cut federal financial aid programs by nearly $9 billion dollars. If this cut passes, it will be the largest cut to student aid in history, forcing the typical student borrower to pay an additional $5,800 for his or her student loans and further closing the door on affordable college opportunities.
When the U.S. government can spend $1 billion on military operations in Iraq every day, we should be able to find a fraction of it for helping low-income students.
As I've mentioned in previous entries, student debt in the U.S. has risen dramatically in the last decade. Two-thirds of college students now graduate with loans, and their average college debt is nearly $20,000 -- an increase of more than 50 percent since the early 1990s.
American students already graduate with more debt than students in any other industrialized country. Financial Aid cuts affect low-income students and growing debt overall closes opportunities for graduates that want to go into lower paying positions, such as teaching and social work.
Take Action -- make a quick phone call before September 26th and urge your representative to oppose this proposal. Visit Student Aid Action website for instructions.
| Also by Kristina Rizga | ||||
| College Kids Get Relief, Congress Passes Cost Reduction Act Kristina Rizga: Here's a closer look at some key provisions of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. George Miller (D-CA). September 28, 2007. |
Celebrating Politics through music For something more inspiring in today's dark political realities, try Music for America. March 8, 2006. |
Hip hop orgs say, 'Shut 'em down!' Momentum is building across the country to fire President Bush for his failures to respond to Katrina. March 2, 2006. |
Autistic teen basketball star creates mayhem... This story is more inspiring than any Hollywood film I've ever seen. February 28, 2006. |
Confessions of a Howard Stern Censor How Janet Jackson's nipple changed the history of radio. February 10, 2006. |