Donald M. Payne: “as a former teacher and as a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I am concerned by the fact that as the need…”

“as a former teacher and as a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I am concerned by the fact that as the need for post-high school education increases in our country, so has the high price of attending college. Tuition fees at public universities have increased 41 percent after inflation since the year 2000. A recent report highlighted my home State of New Jersey as having the highest college costs in the Nation for 4-year public institutions. Including tuition and room and board, it costs an average of $17,515 to attend a public 4-year university or college in New Jersey, about $5,600 over the national average. Because of these skyrocketing costs, many students and their families must take out student loans. Unfortunately, thanks to the policies of the Bush administration in the past and of a Republican-controlled Congress, interest rates have increased as funding to college programs have been cut. Now this Congress has a chance to pursue a positive course by broadening college opportunities for all American students.”