Rubin Arias
Democrats have launched their ‘Six for ’06’ campaign to change America and to benefit college students. The campaign is about the issues they wanted to address such as national security, healthcare and raise the minimum wage.
One of the major themes is college access for all.
House Democratic Leader and Speaker-Elect Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) will make it her top priority.
Her agenda will include cutting student loan interest rates, increasing Pell grants and increased deductibility of college tuition.
“It (the Pell grants) would be a great benefit because there is such limited funding in this institution…because the cost of living is expensive students can concentrate on their studies instead of working,” said Marco J. De La Garza dean of student services.
Pelosi said in a statement released by her deputy press secretary, “The students at our nation’s colleges and universities are our next generation of leaders. They are doing their best to create a bright future for themselves.”
“We should support them with a real federal investment in their education,” said Pelosi.
“It would be great to increase the Pell grants,” said Travis Taylor Pierce student.
Senators John McCain (R-Arizona) and Mel Martinez (R-Florida) could not be reached for comment.
Martinez was just named co-chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Democrats want to raise Pell grants from $4,050 to $5,800 this year.
The Pell grants have not been raised since President George W. Bush took office in 2001.
They also want to reduce the cost of student loans, so borrowers can consolidate more than once and students will be able to take advantage of the lower interest rates.
Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Amaya Smith said, “Speaker Pelosi wants to emphasis in the first 100 days to cut interest rates in half.”
“College affordability is a top issue,” said Smith.
Earlier this year, Bush signed a deficit-reduction bill that included funding cuts for student loan programs.
The legislation included a $12.7 reduction from the loan program and higher fixed interest rates, taking them from 4.7 percents to 6.8 for in-school borrowers.
Additionally, interest rates on “federal plus loans” parental loans for undergraduate students, rose from 6.1 percent to 8.5 percent.
The average college student graduates with $17,500 in debt according to Democrats.
Democrats say the Republicans froze the Pell grant till 2013 as tuition and inflation are on the rise.
The plan will also include making college tuition deductible from taxes permanently.
They believe all students should have the opportunity to earn a college degree through hard work in high school and college.
With a newly-elected Democratic Congress, Democrats can enact their ‘Six for ’06’ plan to help college students.
