Sen. Murray seeks input on college affordability

Published 11:40 am Tuesday, January 26, 2016

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., launched a new tool, on her website on Tuesday to hear from students and families on the importance of making college more affordable. The tool will enable people across the country to share their story and struggles to afford higher education and manage student debt payments.

“The high cost of college and the crushing burden of student debt is holding back far too many students and families in Washington state and across the country,” Murray said in a press release. “I want to hear their experiences with skyrocketing college costs and unbearable student debt and how these challenges are affecting their lives, their education and their future. Making sure these Washington state voices and priorities are heard loud and clear back in the other Washington is one of my top priorities as I continue my work to make college more affordable and ensure students can go to college without the crushing burden of student debt.”

More than 40 million Americans owe a total of $1.3 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, more than credit cards or auto loans. In Washington state, the average college graduate owes $24,804, up from $17,415 ten years ago, according to the Institute for College Access & Success.

In the Senate, Murray is working on ways to reduce college costs and student debt to help grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down.