Why Students Over Banks?
President Obama has a plan: End a program that gives banks wasteful subsidies on student loans and use the savings — as much as $87 billion over 10 years — to help students pay for college. Unfortunately, bank lobbyists are pressing Congress to kill this common sense reform. Stand up for what's right and join us: Choose Students Over Banks. Because we deserve a better future.
Increase Grants for Students
The Pell Grant, a federal grant for students with the most financial need, covered 72% of the average cost of attending a public four year college in 1976, but only 32% of this cost in 2008. Why? Because college costs have risen without Pell Grants increasing comparatively. President Obama’s plan will not only make Pell Grants more available, it will make Pell more reliable and able to keep up with college costs.
Fight Corruption
The guaranteed loan program (FFELP) has been plagued by scandal over the past two decades, with some lenders giving college financial aid officers improper inducements like paid junkets -- and, in extreme cases, even stock options -- while trying to convince them to recommend their loan companies to students. While some claim this is the work of a few bad apples, the system itself is inherently prone to waste, fraud, and abuse.
End Handouts to Banks
According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, reforming the student loan programs will save tax payers $87 billion over ten years. With that much money, you could buy 3,101 trips to space – or help make college more affordable for millions of young people.
Strengthen Our Future
The U.S. is falling behind in education. Those aged 35-54 rank second worldwide in percentage of college graduates and those 25-34 now rank 10th. Where will the next generation fall? In his address to congress in February, the President made a commitment to restoring America’s place as the global leader in higher education by 2020. His plan for reforming higher education is a critical step towards making this goal a reality.
RECENT VIDEOS
Click below to view videos...
News
Rush is Sick of Investing in Education
Posted on 02 February 2010
According to conservative radio pundit Rush Limbaugh, investing in education just leads to indoctrination. Continue Reading
News
Student Loan Reform on the Daily Show
Posted on 02 February 2010
Last night, Jon Stewart chatted about student loan reform with Austan Goolsbee, an economist and member of the Council of Economic Advisers. The college affordability action starts at 4:38, check it out Continue Reading
News
Obama Talks SAFRA on CitizenTube Q&A
Posted on 02 February 2010
President Obama again expressed his support for legislation that would cut subsidies to student loan companies, and invest the savings into Pell grants and other education initiatives. Check it out: Continue Reading
News
37 States Have Cut Higher Ed Budgets
Posted on 29 January 2010
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 37 states have cut higher education funding since the recession began Continue Reading
News
Student Loan Borrowers Less Likely to Save or Invest
Posted on 29 January 2010
Exchange is reporting that a new study shows that those that graduate with student debt are significantly less likely to have savings or investments, less likely to own a home, and more likely to have a mortgage if they do. Continue Reading
News
Higher Ed in the State of the Union
Posted on 29 January 2010
President Obama urged the Senate to pass the student aid bill in his State of the Union Address. He also spoke about his plan to protect student loan borrowers against unmanageable monthly payments. Continue Reading
-
CATEGORIES
- Features (1)
- Hall of Shame (1)
- News (77)
- Resources (9)
- SOB stories (7)
- Take Action (9)
- Uncategorized (1)
- Video (5)
-
ARCHIVES
- February 2010 (3)
- January 2010 (11)
- December 2009 (14)
- November 2009 (8)
- October 2009 (10)
- September 2009 (9)
- August 2009 (5)
- July 2009 (21)
- June 2009 (7)
- May 2009 (11)
- April 2009 (5)
- January 2006 (1)