On Wednesday, June 11, at the University of California center in Washington, D.C., U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Under Secretary Ted Mitchell hosted a town hall with college students about college affordability, access, improving educational outcomes and other issues affecting higher education.
Duncan and Mitchell elaborated on the actions taken Monday, June 9th, by President Obama to make student loans more affordable and help borrowers manage their student loan debts, as outlined in a new Presidential Memorandum. Executive actions announced included proposing regulations to allow nearly 5 million additional student loan borrowers to cap their student loan payments at 10 percent of their income, new steps to ensure that active-duty military receive the relief to which they are entitled, and strengthening communication strategies to help vulnerable borrowers.
Some of the main discussion points included ways to help students with debt by having programs such as the public service exemption program, and moving more loans from the private market to the public market. Duncan and Mitchell also expressed concern that in order for America to remain competitive, we must have more people going to college, but the current high tuition costs are making that very difficult for some.
In addition, Wednesday's town hall was an opportunity for Duncan and Mitchell to hear from students about the college-going process, including all aspects of applying for and receiving federal student aid as well as managing their loan obligations. Mitchell, who was confirmed by the Senate in May and oversees the Department’s higher education programs and initiatives, plans to have ongoing conversations with students about ways the Department can further the President’s goal of helping students access, afford, and complete a post-secondary education.
Catherine Rogers
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