The beginning of the path
As thousands of young Oregonians begin their college classes, it’s important to remember the transformative power of a college education.
Working my way through college certainly changed my life. Neither of my parents graduated from college, but I knew I needed more than a high school education. I worked for a few years after high school, and then enrolled at Lane Community College. After two years I transferred credits to the University of Oregon, and then earned my bachelors and law degrees. It’s hard to believe now, but with a combination of scholarships, loans, and work-study, I graduated from law school with a manageable amount of student debt.
Community college was a great beginning for me, and it started me on the path that led to where I am today. I bring that perspective to my work in Congress, and I firmly believe that all Oregonians – and all Americans - deserve access to affordable higher education.
Today, however, the cost of college is skyrocketing and crushing student debt is holding too many back.
It's time to rethink how we pay for college.
Oregon is taking steps to make community college more affordable, and President Obama has proposed making the first two years of community college free for eligible students nationwide.
There are other great ideas on the table to lower the cost of college and end the student debt crisis, including increasing Pell grants, improving income-based repayment plans, and lowering the interest rate on student loans. I am working with my colleagues in the House to develop innovative policies that increase opportunity for all students.
A college education should unlock the dreams of our children and prepare them for their future careers without shackling them to decades of debt. The future health and vitality of our communities and our economy depend on it.
With appreciation,
