Cost of College

 
The federal government needs to do more to help families, realize the American dream. If we fail to make college more affordable our leadership in this highly competitive global economy is at risk.

Families are finding it difficult to send their sons and daughters to college, because the costs of basic necessities, such as gasoline and health care, continue to soar.  Hundreds of thousands of highly qualified students are giving up the idea of college because they can’t afford it.  Those who do attend college are graduating with greater debt than ever before.  The escalating cost of college tuition and the weakening of basic student aid such as Pell grants have led to a severe increase in debt for college loans.

Pell grants are a major source of financial aid for low-income students, but the value of the grants has diminished considerably over the years as a result of Republican budget cuts. Last year Congressional Republicans cut $12 billion from student loan programs, and another $6 billion from Pell grants.  Such cuts are unacceptable in a country that prides itself on fairness in the classroom and in the workforce.  By shortchanging opportunities for all students to earn a degree, we’re shortchanging our nations future.  We need to reduce the financial barriers to college, and make higher education more affordable for students and their families.

Korean War veteran benefits enable me to be the first in my family to graduate from college. It set a precedence for our family and my younger brothers earned masters and a doctorate degree.

Congress can demonstrate how much they value Iraq and Afganistan veterans, by passing legislation that would provide similar benefits for them, but more importantly the same benefits should be provided for the spouses and children of those that have made the supreme sacrifice.