“My generation is the generation of debt”
My generation is the generation of debt. A college education has become more vital to success then ever before, yet access to higher education has never been more inaccessible.
The cost of public college tuition has increased 32% from 2000 to 2004, and private school tuition has increased 21% during that same period.
Due to the lack of adequate funding, more students than ever are forced to borrow to pay their bills. More than 60% of undergraduate students at four-year colleges have to take out loans. The average student debt in 2004, with private loans factored in, was more than $19,000. And these numbers have nowhere to go but up.
57% of college students have to work full or part time in order to help pay for their education. Many studies have shown that this has a negative effect upon their GPA.
I am a 20-year-old college junior, interning at Senator Kerry’s campaign office. I am a full-time student, with three part time jobs. By the time I graduate, I will be about $100,000 dollars in debt. And if I want to pursue a graduate degree, this number will only double by the time I am done.
No other western democracy requires its youth to carry such a debt in order to get an education. While I was studying in London, British students were shocked to learn that I would owe such a large amount for my education after I graduate.
No generation before mine has had to carry such a burden of college debt. Fifty years ago, a 21-year-old graduate having 100,000 dollars of debt would be unheard of; now it is common practice.
It shocks me as an American, and someone who studies government, that a country founded upon opportunity for all would make college so inaccessible.
If my generation wants to get our college debt under control, there is a relatively simple solution:
Vote.
If we want college affordability legislation passed, we need to make sure that there is a Democratic White House and Congress who will fight for my generation’s best interests.
It we make our voices heard, as so many of us have been doing throughout this primary process, then the Democratic nominee will have no choice but to listen.
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I never knew that so many student were in debt. WOW! Catrina Jordan age 11
Nicely put. And to add to that, with college being so expensive now, it is harder and harder for for parents of students to help as much as my parents helped me. It saddens me as a parent to know that my son and his wife between them owe over $200,000 at a time when they want to be saving to buy and house and have a child. As you say, no other western country allows their youth to be so crippled with debt. How will your generation ever be able to catch up?
I’m a 23 year old nursing major at a community college in R.I. I plan to attend a private college in September, in order to do so I will incur 2x the debt than if I stay at a public school. In order for me to become the type of nurse I wish to be I have to pay double. In a time where nursing shortages are at an all time high (1 million short today) it would be conducive to our society to keep tuition costs at a minimum. This is not the case. I encourage young voters to get out there and educate themselves. Know your issues and voice them!