CALPIRG Blog

Today the House followed the Senate in passing strong student loan reform legislation (New York Times story). PIRG students were active in efforts to pass the bill. In the photo, left, ConnPIRG's Trea McPherson speaks on behalf of students nationwide at a news conference with chamipon and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). In the photo below, Senator Kennedy talks with Andrew Friedson (Student Government Association president at University of Maryland College Park) and Trey. Here is an excerpt from PIRG Higher Education advocate Luke Swarthout's statement:

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act is the most meaningful higher education reform in more than 15 years. The legislation addresses the dual financial challenges of access and affordability that face American college students. The legislation provides billions of dollars a year in additional grant aid to low-income students through the Pell Grant program. It will also help students address the burden of rising student debt through lower interest rates and a new repayment system.