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April 15, 2010
Congressman Etheridge talks student loan legislation at Johnston Community College
Cleveland Post
Congressman Bob Etheridge visited Johnston Community College Wednesday to talk to students, financial aid staff, and college administrators about new federal student-loan legislation.
The revamping of the student-loan program was included in the federal health care package which Congress passed recently. The legislation infuses money into the Pell grant program and makes the federal government the direct lender of all student loans. It also provides for $2 billion for community colleges and offers relief for some students repaying education debt.
Etheridge said the U.S. Department of Education is still ironing out the administration of the new legislation, but said he was happy it passed.
"I think this is really needed," Etheridge told the group. "For the first time, the federal government has committed a pot of money for education reform and all of a sudden you can start doing some real planning because you know there is a dedicated source of revenue."
Crystal Wiley of Clayton will graduate in May with an associate's degree from JCC. A financial aid recipient, she said she was encouraged by the changes made to the federal student-aid program.
"I think it's a great opportunity," Wiley said. "Applying for financial aid can be a very frustrating process so it's encouraging to hear there are going to be more options for students trying to further their education."
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