Kuster Hosts Roundtable on College Affordability

On Aug. 21, at Plymouth State University, U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, held a roundtable discussion on the importance of helping Granite State families afford high quality education so their children can move forward into successful careers. Kuster highlighted her own steps in Congress to make college more affordable.

“My number one priority in Congress is creating more jobs and economic opportunity for Granite State residents, and we must ensure that every Granite State student has access to higher education and the job training they need to be prepared to join the 21st century workforce,” said Kuster. “I was proud to bring together students, educators, college administrators, and local officials to discuss the importance of making college more affordable, and I call on my colleagues in Congress to pass legislation I’ve cosponsored that would decrease student loan interest rates and ease the debt burden on Granite State families.”

During the discussion, she heard from local students, educators, and education officials about how Congress can best help Granite State families afford college. Kuster and the students were joined at the roundtable by representatives from the NH College and University Council, the NH Higher Education Commission, Campus Compact, and Granite State Management & Resources, among others. These participants shared information about other important state resources that can help students and their families pay for college and qualify for lower student loan rates.

Kuster is committed to ensuring that every Granite State student can afford college and further his or her career. Last year, Kuster successfully fought to prevent the doubling of student loan interest rates for Granite State families. This year, along with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. John Tierney, she helped introduce the Bank on Students Emergency Refinancing Act, which would allow Granite Staters to refinance their federal and private student loans to the lower rates that are currently available to new borrowers. This important piece of legislation would save thousands of dollars for Granite State students and their families.

Submitted by the Office of U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster.