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.

Take Action Now

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.

Take Action Now

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.

Take Action Now

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.

Take Action Now

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.

Take Action Now

News

Campus Progress Statement: Students Need College Aid, Not Budget Cuts

Posted on 04 March 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2010 Contact: Katie Andriulli (202) 481-8238 or kandriulli@americanprogress.org. Campus Progress Statement: Students Need College Aid, Not Budget Cuts Washington, DC – Today, students from across the country are participating in a national day of action to protest budget cuts to higher education and tuition hikes, and lobby for increased student aid. [...] Continue Reading

Comments (0)

News

Today: White House Web Chat on the Student Aid Bill

Posted on 02 March 2010

The White House is hosting a web chat today about the student aid bill with Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Melody Barnes, the White House's Domestic Policy Advisor. The event will start at 5:30 PM today (Tuesday, March 2, 2010). You can join the chat on Facebook or on the White House webpage. Continue Reading

Comments (2)

News

Another Student Op-ed for Student Loan Reform

Posted on 01 March 2010

"This time the banks aren’t talking to congress about issues related to mortgages, high-risk loans, or a bail out. This time they’re talking to congress about you – students." Continue Reading

Comments (1)

Resources, Take Action

Help HuffPo Investigate Abuses in Student Debt Industry

Posted on 22 February 2010

The Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, is examining the student loan crunch. In particular, they are investigating abusive practices by debt collectors—and the federal government’s response to these problems. Continue Reading

Comments (0)

News

The State of the Student Union Address

Posted on 18 February 2010

Yesterday, US Student Association President, Gregory Cendana, gave the annual "State of the Student Union Address." He addressed state budget cuts to higher education, the student aid bill in Congress, the DREAM Act, and the amazing work being done by students across the country. Check it out: Continue Reading

Comments (0)

News

Senator Bayh skeptical about SAFRA?

Posted on 17 February 2010

Today, Politico’s Ben Smith reported that Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (in the news as of late because of his decision not to seek re-election) sent a letter to the Senate HELP Committee expressing his hesitation to vote for SAFRA, citing job losses in Indiana as a main concern: “I … have concerns about the short-term impact [...] Continue Reading

Comments (0)





CONNECT TO PROGRESS

Higher Ed Links