Robin Carnahan: “parents and students should take note: College may soon get a lot more expensive if House Republicans get their way.…”

“parents and students should take note: College may soon get a lot more expensive if House Republicans get their way. This week, they plan to bring a budget reconciliation bill to the floor that cuts $14 billion in Federal student aid, the largest cuts in the program's history. Included are nearly $8 billion in new charges that will raise the cost of college loans through new fees and higher interest for millions of American students and families. For the typical student borrower already saddled with over $17,000 in debt, these new fees and higher interest charges will cost up to $5,800 more. Financial barriers should never prevent a qualified student from going to college, and that is why America has long since made the commitment to help all Americans afford a higher education. Studies show that financial barriers alone will prevent over 4 million high school graduates from attending a 4-year public university over the next decade and prevent another 2 million from attending college at all. Mr. Speaker, the wrong priorities in this Republican budget reconciliation will put college out of reach for millions of American students. It should be rejected. ____________________”