The American education system is experiencing a college-tuition crisis, but Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and other democratic senators are trying to change that.
College tuition keeps rising beyond what the current generation can afford, leaving many students in crippling debt and a poor job market. At the University of Rhode Island, in a recent student survey that polled roughly 200 students, 67 percent said college in Rhode Island is not affordable. Meanwhile, 39 percent of students have less than $5,000 in financial aid, but 29 percent have greater than $20,000 in loans. It is clear that, even at URI, many students are struggling with the cost.
Whitehouse called on reporters from all the colleges in Rhode Island to gather for a meeting, with the goal of discussing college affordability. He told the crowd about the upcoming plan that the Senate Democrats plan to introduce. Their plan starts with making all student loan interest rates equal 0 percent. The next step to the plan is to make two-year community colleges free. The third step in the plan is to issue a statement to universities about raising their tuitions.
The Democrats are using this time of recess in the Senate to help build up pressure on the Republicans to take action on this issue. The three-step plan is designed to help combat current and future debt. Whitehouse said he hopes that this bill will be approved and continue to combat the increasing amounts of debt students are forced into. He added that he hopes this increased amount of pressure can help put the issue of college affordability on the table without letting the Republicans get away from it for free.
When Whitehouse was asked how he would pay for the free two-year community college, he said that this should not be an issue. He said that Rhode Island shouldn’t have to worry about this, as it is a short-term monetary investment into the future of the country. He did specify that the costs would be paid for through regular tax budget. Whitehouse also mentioned that he has a carbon tax bill that would generate $2.2 trillion, which he wants to use to help pay for students’ college for all four years.