For millions of Americans, college and career training are the ticket to
good jobs, higher wages and salaries, and better lives. Higher education
can be the opportunity of a lifetime.
But too often, that opportunity comes with a mountain of debt — more than $1 trillion of it nationwide.
Here in Florida, the average college student carries $25,000 in student loan debt. It's a crushing load for young people struggling to start their lives after school.
Meanwhile, many students won't even get that opportunity of a lifetime. Nearly one in three graduating high school students aren't academically ready for college or career training — despite the fact that by 2020, 65% of all jobs will require some postsecondary education.
We can fix this. That's why today I held a roundtable discussion with Pinellas County college students and professors, to hear their ideas for improving higher education.
We can make learning affordable by making community college tuition-free.
We can invest in vocational, technical, and career training programs.
We can increase K-12 standards in math and science. And we can let students
refinance their loans, just like a mortgage.
We have an obligation to do these things for the next generation.
If you agree with me, donate $25, $50, or $100 to send someone to Congress
who will get things done for students.
Thanks,
Charlie
