Crushing Student Debt

What's New

On Thursday, September 27, President Bush signed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act into law. The legislation addresses the dual financial challenges of access and affordability that face American college students.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act provides billions of dollars a year in additional grant aid to low-income students through the Pell Grant program. It will also help students address the burden of rising student debt by allowing borrowers to repay their loans according to their income.

How You Can Help

More Aid Means Less Debt

This legislation means thousands of dollars in additional grants for low and middle-income students, lower interest rates and better terms for borrowers with mountains of debt. Despite the tremendous political clout of the student lending industry, Congress made the right choice and voted to help struggling students and families.

Thank your member of Congress. We will need higher education champions as we move into other key areas of student loan reform. Members of Congress will be more likely to champion our concerns if they get positive feedback from consituents! Please take a moment to drop a line to your lawmaker. Click here.

Overview

Higher education in America continues to be critical for both individual success and the economic and political health of our country. While college attendance has grown over the past two decades, state and federal aid has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of higher education. As a result, more students than ever must rely on student loans to pay for a four-year degree and start their post-collegiate lives with significant debt.

Maryland PIRG is working to ensure that all students have access to an affordable education and that Congress prioritizes college affordability this year. More.

In 2004, two-thirds of all four-year college graduates left school with student debt. Maryland PIRG is working to ensure that all students have access to an affordable education and that Congress prioritizes college affordability this year.

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