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:

  • Take Action – You can help us send a unified message to Congress to make higher education a priority in the 2010 budget. Fill out the form to the right of this page and send your message to Congress.

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  • Spread the Word – Improving access to education isn't easy – you will need some help. Let your friends, coworkers, classmates, and family know about the Campaign for College Affordability. Here are a few easy ways to get others involved:

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