By From The Editors
A trip from the University to Capitol Hill is only a five-hour drive, however, the distance can seem even greater for students trying to voice their concerns. While the price of tuition and textbooks continue to climb and financial aid declines, rather than receiving relief from these financial burdens, college students may be hit with an even bigger blow to their bank accounts. Today the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a loan reconciliation bill that would cut $14.3 billion from student loan programs. This would be the largest cut in student loans in history, according to Jasmine Harris, legislative director of the United States Student Association. Working out of her offices in Washington, D.C. she is trying to raise awareness and motivate students to “Stop the Raid on Student Aid.”
The proposal in question is part of a larger budget reconciliation package to cut $54 billion in federal programs. The average student already struggles with about $17,500 in student loan debt according to the Congressional Research Service. The bill would require student borrowers to pay higher interest rates (6.8 percent rather than 4.7 percent) and increased fees on loan consolidation, tacking on an additional $5,800 for most students. This would make it more difficult for students to manage their loans and stay out of debt.
The argument by members in Congress in support of the cuts is that they are needed to reduce deficits. However, while they attempt to slash student loans, legislators are also proposing a $70 billion tax cut for homeowners and businesses. The money generated from students using loans to pay their tuition would be used to pay for the special tax breaks for wealthier Americans.
College students have a difficult time shaping the opinions of their Congressional representatives. In 2004, only 47 percent of citizens in the 18-25 age bracket voted. With low voter turnout, politicians are less concerned with needs of college students within their constituencies. However, the new bill has prompted student groups at Georgetown University and other campuses across the nation to demand their legislators to listen.
Starting in September, Student Aid Action, the United Students Association and other clubs on college campuses have teamed up to raise awareness and encourage students nationwide to fight back. They have formed the “Stop the Raid Against Student Aid” campaign and the University should jump on the bandwagon.
Student clubs have a powerful voice on campus. This fall, Students Against Injustice (SAI) have seen the rewards of their hard work in the campaign against the University’s exclusive contact with Coca-Cola. While SAI continues to advocate against Coca-Cola’s treatment of its workers, the club should also use their power to fight for the rights of their fellow students. In September, Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) made a visit to campus to launch his war on rising textbook prices. The Student Government Association (SGA) also responded to the need to offer alternatives to purchasing costly textbooks by setting up a textbook reserve in the library where students can rent books for certain classes. These are some of the many examples of the University working with students to solve a pressing problem, but why stop there?
The University should join students and college administrators across the country who have made more than 10,000 calls to their Congressional representatives urging them to vote against the bill. Their voices have been heard in the House, which originally scheduled to vote on the measure in mid-September, but stalled after students calls encouraged committee members to reconsider the bill.
The administration and students at the University should pick up their phones, call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-800-574-4243 and ask their representatives what their positions are on HR609.
The Senate has already passed a similar bill that calls for $21 billion from student loan programs, but if vote fails in the House it will be pronounced dead. Period. End of story. However, if it passes, students should not raise the white flag yet. As the bill heads to conference where it will be voted on by both members of the House and the Senate, students and administrators should become even more persistence in their efforts to kill the bill.
If the University does not band together to preserve the state of federal loans by July 1, 2006, higher education will move one step closer to become nothing more than a dream for many young, ambitious minds.