Student debt out of control

Forgiving student loans would be a step toward securing the futures of college students.

Students need these loans in the thick of all these budget cuts decaying our educational institutions. How else are they going to afford attending universities?

Dismissing loans would relieve struggling families buckling from the weight of the nation’s debt, especially here in California where we have the highest increase in tuition in the country.

Student loan debt in the U.S. is nearing the $1 trillion mark, according to the Student Loan Debt Clock at FinAid.org

This is beyond ridiculous. Our debt problem has gone so out of hand that we are way past the point of no-return.

Opinion

Jonathan Tucker jtucker.roundupnews@gmail.com

Two-year community college graduates make up almost 50 percent of all borrowers of loans under $5,000.

Graduates at public four-year institutions make up around 40 percent of borrowers of loans from $20 to $50 thousand dollars.

Students and their parents are being overrun by this loan crisis and the negative trend does not project a positive-looking future.

Forgiving student loans would put tens of thousands of dollars back into the pockets of people who need it most, parents trying to raise educated children and independent students struggling to secure a future.

The average loan that parents have to pay back is $34,000. After a 10-year repayment plan that number edges closer to $50,000, according to Forbes. com.

More money in people’s pockets means more consumer spending,

Letter to the editor

Response to: “Math class to be cut in fall 2012,” March 7

Dear Editor, stimulating the economy while creating more jobs.

Today’s students have to weigh the benefits of getting a college degree or just hopping right into the workforce, with increased tuition in combination with student loan debt, how long will it be before education becomes a luxury?

The fact of the matter is that right now opportunities are being placed behind a daunting financial obstacle that is worsening with every passing year.

All while future plans and goals of back-breaking graduates are being delayed due to this paralyzing amount debt that much.

This student loan crisis is stifling the economy and is restricting an entire generation’s lives, forgiving student loans will restore the American dream.

On behalf of the Transfer Center I would like to respond to the article published on March 7th “Math class to be cut in fall 2012”. The majority of the article was right on point.

As a college, we have had to make some very difficult decisions and changes to our course offerings. However we have made every effort in our schedule planning to maintain transfer pathways so that students can continue to take courses that count towards transfer. One critical area for transfer is math. That’s why I felt it was important to clarify something that was incorrectly stated. While it is true that Math 245 will no longer be offered at Pierce beginning in the fall 2012 term, we do have another 3-unit math option for UC and CSU transfer students: Statistics 1. This is a great 3-unit math option for the many students whose majors do not require a specific math course. I encourage all students to meet with a counselor to verify the requirements for transfer because they differ by major and by transfer university. Counseling appointments are available Monday through Friday. Students can also “drop-in” to the center to have quick questions answered.

We also have a series of transfer workshops to help you with this information. Please take the time to find out the right courses to meet your individual transfer goals. For more information, please see the transfer center website for our calendar of events. Thank you, Sunday Salter, Transfer Center director www.piercecollege.edu/offices/transfer_center/

Maria Salvador

msalvador.roundupnews@gmail.com