For Immediate Release
A Joint Statement on the President’s Budget from the Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) and the United States Student Association (USSA):
Today, the President released his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget demonstrates the President’s commitment to making a college degree accessible for more Americans and managing rising costs post-graduation.
This budget is a strong step the right direction. We support the President’s call to make college more accessible – fully funding the Pell Grant, simplifying the FAFSA to make it easier for all students to apply for financial aid, and encouraging restored state investment in higher education through his free community college proposal.
The President’s proposal to bring existing pay-as-you-earn and income-based repayment programs under one roof – available to all students – will make a real difference for the millions of graduates who are struggling to make their monthly payments.
“The President understands that student loan debt is a serious problem for young people,” said Ethan Senack, Higher Education Advocate at the Student PIRGs, “Now, we just have to convince Congress to put politics aside and make a stronger investment in young Americans.”
“With the President’s plan in place, students are more ready than ever to speak up and tell members of Congress how important higher education is to our generation and our society as a whole,” said Maxwell Love, President of USSA.
We thank the President for his leadership on the issue, and applaud his bold commitment to ensuring affordable and accessible college education. We look forward to working with the administration and student champions in Congress to make these proposals a reality.
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