Make Student Loans Affordable

On July 18th or 19th, the US Senate will vote on the Higher Education Access Act of 2007, S. 1762 to increase grant aid for students and lower the cost of student loans. This legislation could mean thousands of dollars in additional grants for low and middle-income students, lower interest rates and better terms for borrowers with mountains of debt.

Unfortunately private banks are lining up to try and kill higher education reform.  They’re hiring expensive private lobbyists to stop these bills because they cut some of the outrageous federal subsidies paid to banks. We can’t let real reform for millions of borrowers lose because of the interests of a handful of wealthy companies.  In particular, the Nelson Burr amendment will protect the corporate welfare for lenders.

The legislation will include increased funding for the Pell Grant program, our nation’s most successful student aid program. In addition, the bills will help borrowers repay their loans according to their income.

Your senators need to hear from students facing real financial challenges paying for college. Please take a minute to call your US senators and urge them to support higher education reform legislation.

You can reach your them by calling 202-224-3121. If you don't know who your senators, that's OK. Just tell the operator your zip code, and they will connect you.

Here's a sample message you can leave: "Hi, my name is _______, I’m a student from _____/parent of a student going to college.  I’m calling to ask the Senator to support the Higher Education Access Act of 2007, which increases grant aid and lowers the cost of student loans. This issue is important because ____________. Additionally, the Senator should not support the Nelson Burr amendment, which merely protects lenders."