Political Quotes

“I rise to urge my colleagues' support for the Collegiate Learning and Student Savings, or ``CLASS,'' Act. This legislation will help Americans as they seek to secure, for themselves and for their children, the increased opportunity and earnings potential available only to college graduates in this country. Mr. President, America is the land of opportunity. But that opportunity comes at a price. More and more that price comes in the form of an increasing cost of a college education. College graduates on average earn 40 percent more than do those who have not graduated from college. But the increased opportunity college provides keeps getting more and more expensive. College costs have risen dramatically--5 to 6 percent every year over the past decade. According to the College Board, the average annual cost for tuition, room and board at a public university is now $7,472. At a private college the cost is a whopping $19,213 per year. If costs continue rising as they have been, a four-year college education will cost $75,000 at a public university and $250,000 at a private college by the time the average newborn begins attending in 2016. Costs like these can send families deeply into debt. American families have already accrued more college debt in the 1990's than during the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's combined.”