University of Mary Washington senior Hannah Tibbett joined student leaders from 20 Virginia colleges on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Jan. 27 to discuss student challenges in paying for college and the impact of rising student loan obligations during a roundtable conversation organized by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine.
The students shared their concerns about the rising costs of higher education, and many urged more transparency and flexibility in college loan application and repayment programs.
“It was incredibly important to be a part of this experience — to represent UMW at the table,” said Tibbett, UMW’s Student Government Association president. “Even though UMW is a ‘best buy’ school, the high cost of tuition is still limiting to students. There are so many scenarios where students aren’t able to finish their degrees because of the cost, leaving them in debt and without a degree, and it needs to be addressed.”
An estimated 60 percent of Virginia college students graduate with student debt, and the average debt load in Virginia now tops $26,000 per graduate.
Warner recently introduced two pieces of legislation designed to help borrowers better manage their student loan debts: one would make income-based repayment the default option for borrowers, and the other would allow employers to apply pre-tax income to help their employees with student loan payments.
Sen. Kaine has introduced legislation tackling college affordability concerns, including increased dual enrollment options for high school students and additional tools to help students and families better calculate college costs.
“These campus leaders offered compelling personal stories to illustrate the crippling impact of student loan debt on a generation of young Virginians, limiting their options and opportunities as they graduate and join the workforce and plan their futures,” Sen. Warner said.
The roundtable included student representatives from Christopher Newport University, the College of William and Mary, Ferrum College, George Mason University, Hampton University, James Madison University, Longwood University, Mary Baldwin College, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Randolph-Macon College, Richard Bland College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Tidewater Community College, University of Mary Washington, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University.