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"Fios 1" featured Pace University in "Congresswoman Hosts Roundtable Discussion at Pace University on Cost of Education"
PLEASANTVILLE – Congresswoman Nita Lowey held a roundtable discussion at Pace University on Thursday in order to discuss the costs of education with college students and administrators.
Lowey listened to students from Pace University, Purchase College, Mercy College, and Manhattanville College speak about the high price for higher education.
“I'm just so grateful that we have opportunities like this to help me because if it weren't for these opportunities, I wouldn't be sitting here today. I’d be on a totally different track, and who knows if I would even be able to say, 'I made it to senior year,’” Pace University student Emerald Rodriguez said.
Lowey explained the student debt stats across the country.
“In 2018, 44 million Americans collectively hold, $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. With the average student in the class of 2016 having graduated with about $37,000 in student loans.
Lowey warned students and college administrators of a federal bill called the “Prosper Act” that would cut billions from federal student aid and increase the cost of student education. The bill would create an annual limit on loans for graduate students, elimination of loan forgiveness, and eliminate in-school interest subsidies for middle and low-income students.
“And yet, unfortunately, House Republicans are currently pushing a partisan, mean-spirited bill that would cut $15 billion from federal student aid, while increasing the cost of college,” Lowey said.
Lowey said she will fight in Washington to keep the cost of higher education from getting any higher.
Watch the video.