title | College Affordability Now

This decade, two million qualified students will skip college because they can't afford it.

Updates:

Congress Passes 2010 Budget Resolution Putting Students' Needs First

Congress passed the budget resolution by a House vote of 233-193 and a Senate vote of 53-43. The budget calls for increased investment in student aid as well as a critical look at cost savings through streamlining the federal student loan programs. The following is a statement by Campaign for College Affordability coordinator, Robert M. Brandon:

"By passing this budget, Congress has demonstrated a commitment to putting more money in the pockets of students, helping to bring the cost of college down for many families during these tough economic times. This is a great down payment on the work that must be done to make college affordable for all who wish to attend and ultimately better prepare our nation's workforce to meet the demands and challenges of a global economy."

2009 Priorities of the Campaign for College Affordability:

President Obama unveiled a budget that included a significant commitment to higher education affordability and access, based on the principle that in order to fix our economy we must invest in our citizens to produce an educated workforce ready to compete in the global marketplace.

Increasingly, many families have been priced out of college. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 400,000 qualified high school graduates put off attending college each year due to cost. With the average tuition and fees spiking by more than 58% over the course of the past eight years, outpacing wage increases during that same time period, and the average college graduate facing nearly $21,000 of debt upon graduation, it is obvious that action is needed to make college more affordable. Without additional support and attention to the issue, the U.S. is projected to fall 16 million college degrees short of meeting workforce needs in 2025.

The President's Budget: A Commitment to College Affordability and Access

Support reforms to student loan program and elimination of FFEL program

Promote linking Pell grants increases to inflation and increasing Pell grant maximums

Pushing for additional spending on higher education beyond what was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Push for inclusion of funding for campus construction and modernization

Urge additional funds for states to be used to hold down tuition

Promoting broader reforms and increased funding as part of a college access and retraining plan

Further direct grant aid including help tied to public service

Increase access to college readiness programs

Invest in community colleges to provide retraining for unemployed workers and create degrees for new economy jobs

Eliminate subsidies to student loan lenders and make loans more affordable by lowering interest rates

Expand loan forgiveness for careers in public service

Commit to long term investment in institutions of higher education

Click here to view a printable outline of the President's Higher Education priorities.

Join our campaign to make an affordable college education within reach of everyone:

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Subject:

Dear Congress,

I am writing to thank Congress for its support of the higher education provisions in the 2010 federal budget.  This legislation was in line with the sweeping changes proposed in President Obama's budget proposal, which included a call for investment in higher education. 
 
More and more families are struggling to afford college.  According to the Department of Education, 400,000 qualified high school graduates put off attending college each year due to cost.  Tuition and fees have increased nearly 60% since 2000.  The average college graduate faces $21,000 of debt at graduation.  And projections show the U.S. falling short 16 million college degrees in meeting workforce needs by 2025 unless additional support and attention is given to ensuring those who wish to further their education can afford to do so.
 
President Obama's budget proposes increasing the maximum Pell grant and making program funding mandatory and tying increases to inflation; making the partially refundable $2,500 tax credit permanent, ensuring help for low income families who don't earn enough to pay income taxes; saving taxpayers billions of dollars by utilizing the current Direct Loan program and eliminating the FFEL program, which subsidizes banks and lenders who issue student loans guaranteed by the federal government; expanding the Perkins Loan program to serve an additional 2 million low and moderate income students; and improving college completion rates through funding innovative state programs and research.
 
While Congress has taken the first step by passing the 2010 federal budget, it must still pass legislation to enact these proposed reforms. I respectfully request your support of these higher education provisions and look forward to your continued support of efforts to make college more affordable for all who wish to attend.
 
Sincerely,

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