Lasting solution for loan rates needed

Skyrocketing tuition costs have made borrowing money a necessity for many college students to afford their education - 72 percent of Iowa's college students take out student loans and hold an average of more than $22,000 in loan debt at graduation.

Students with the greatest financial need are eligible for subsidized Stafford loans. But the interest rate on these loans is set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1. If Congress fails to prevent this change, the financial burden of a college education will significantly increase for the students who can least afford it.

This interest rate increase will cost Iowa students alone more than $200 million - money that future graduates won't have in their pockets to place a down payment on a house or a car right here in Iowa.

Last summer, this same interest rate faced the same potential increase until Congress passed a temporary, one-year freeze. It's time to stop passing the buck and develop a student-centered, permanent approach to student loan reform.

We, the 12 student body presidents at colleges and universities across Iowa representing more than 150,000 college students, need your help to get Congress to act. Call your representatives and ask them to create a lasting, comprehensive solution to this problem that works for Iowa's students by preventing rates from doubling on July 1. Together, let's make an investment in Iowa's future.

Spencer Hughes,

Iowa State

University

Paul Esker,

Luther College

On behalf of Emily R. Ramsey, Ashford University; Miranda Wehde, Central College; Anna Barton, Coe College; Parker Luke, Cornell College; Thomas Neil, Grinnell College; Aaron Lacy, Mount Mercy University; Jennifer Villalobos, Scott Community College; Kemper Rusteberg, St. Ambrose University; Katherine Valde, University of Iowa; Zach Sommers, Wartburg College