EDUCATION »» ECONOMICS »» STUDENT LOAN DEBT »» Sep 04, 2023

Education advocates say a college education is important because the income gap is widening between those with a college degree and those without one. Over a lifetime, a college graduate can now expect to earn about 75% more than a person without a degree. However, between 2000 and 2020, the average tuition and fees at public four-year institutions have increased 78%. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the average price of tuition and fees were $39,400 at private colleges, $10,940 at public in-state colleges, and $28,240 at public out-of-state colleges. Low-income students continue to fall behind in their ability to access higher education because the availability of federal aid often determines whether many students can attend college. About 72% of all college undergrads now need some form of financial aid. The Department of Education distributes and manages the Pell Grant and Stafford loan programs. A Pell Grant is usually "free money" that does not need to be repaid, except if one drops out, changes their enrollment status, or receives other financial aid. In for 2023-24, the maximum Pell Grant award was $7,395, and Stafford loans allow eligible students to borrow up to $20,500 annually. For loans taken out for the 2022 - 2023 school year, undergraduates receive a 4.99% interest rate and graduate students receive a 6.54% interest rate. Payments for a $70,000 college loan under the standard 10-year repayment plan with a 6.22% interest rate, would require a monthly payment of $785, and a total repayment cost of $94,188. There are 43.5 million Americans trying to pay off student loans, and total student loan debt is now $1.76 trillion. Servicing this debt is difficult for grads with lower-paying public service careers, those who are ill or unemployed, or those who failed to complete their degree. The typical amount of a student’s debt is now about $37,600 and their average monthly payment is about $400. Advocates say many young Americans are unable to buy a car, a home, or start a family due to student loan costs. Critics claim it will increase inflation, doesn’t help low-income people who never attended college, is unfair to people who already paid off their student debt, doesn't address the high cost of college, and could be struck down by courts. President Biden has earlier announced a one-time federal student loan debt relief program to forgive between $10,000 and $20,000 of student loan debt for borrowers making less than $125,000 a year. His administration has already canceled a record $66 billion in student loan debt for nearly 2.2 million borrowers. However, the Supreme Court has recently invalidated this executive action. The justices, divided 6-3 on ideological lines, ruled that the program was an unlawful exercise of presidential power because it had not been explicitly approved by Congress. It now appears the legislature must act if any more students are to receive debt relief. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.4797 - Student Loan Relief Act (117th Congress 2021-2022) Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Troy Carter (LA) I oppose reforming current federal student aid policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA). I support cancelling or repaying up to $50,000 in Federal student loans for each borrower and - unless otherwise requested by the borrower in writing - such a cancellation or repayment be applied: 1.) In the case of a borrower with multiple student loans with different interest rates, first cancelling or repaying the outstanding balance due on the loan with the highest interest rate. 2.) In the case of a borrower of multiple student loans that have the same applicable rates of interest, first cancelling or repaying the outstanding balance of principal due on the loan with the highest principal balance. 3.) Excluding such loan cancellation or repayment from a borrower's gross income. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Troy Carter (LA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support cancelling or repaying up to $50,000 in Federal student loans for each borrower and - unless otherwise requested by the borrower in writing - such a cancellation or repayment be applied: 1.) In the case of a borrower with multiple student loans with different interest rates, first cancelling or repaying the outstanding balance due on the loan with the highest interest rate. 2.) In the case of a borrower of multiple student loans that have the same applicable rates of interest, first cancelling or repaying the outstanding balance of principal due on the loan with the highest principal balance. 3.) Excluding such loan cancellation or repayment from a borrower's gross income. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Troy Carter (LA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Troy Carter (LA) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.4797 - Student Loan Relief Act (117th Congress 2021-2022), or a similar version thereof. Student Aid Alliance If elected as a trustee, Student Aid Alliance will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for the ability of students and former students to reduce or eliminate federal student loan debt. About: We are a coalition of 85 higher education organizations united in our support for federal student aid. The Student Aid Alliance is thrilled to bring you the Save Student Aid campaign to raise awareness about the importance of federal student aid for America’s future. Student Aid Alliance supports Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, work study and TRIO programs.

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