Monday, May 09, 2016

McCaskill to students and families: I've got your back

(From Sen. Claire McCaskill)

I recently told you about a tour I made across Missouri, speaking with students, families, educators, and administrators about college affordability and student financial aid—and the stories I heard were both troubling and inspiring.

Using your feedback, I came back to the Senate determined to fight for better refinancing options for graduates, improved graduation rates, boosts for Pell Grants, more options when it comes to “hidden fees,” and more accountability and transparency in the process—and I’m doing just that.
Last week, I announced that I am backing legislation to restore year-round Pell Grant resources for low-income college students to use towards summer courses.
In the weeks before that, I sent a letter to the Secretary of Education, along with 23 other U.S. Senators, urging the Department of Education to strengthen its review process of accrediting agencies to ensure college are following through on their commitment to students.
And I’m pressuring the agency to help student borrowers better understand the impact of their debt using personalized debt calculators so that families can better prepare for the real-world implications of student loan debt.

This is just the start. We have a lot to do to make sure that we’re not strangling the economic opportunities of our students and our country with crushing debt.

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