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| Students from Jefferson County Community College visited the State Capitol Wednesday to get a better idea of how state government works. |
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, met with students from Jefferson County Community College at the Capitol on Wednesday to discuss the problems facing today's students.
It’s more important today than ever before for people of all ages to get a college education. But increased costs are making it more and more difficult to afford higher education, and those who do are often saddled with years of debt.
We need to support young people - especially those who may lack the means to pay for college themselves - so we keep the best and the brightest minds here in New York,” Russell said. “When they succeed, we all do.”
Russell understands both the necessity of a college education and how heavy the financial burden can be. American students who graduated in 2014 had an average of $33,000 in debt - the most ever. That’s more than double the amount their parents paid.
“I am still paying back my own student loans,” Russell, who graduated from SUNY Albany in 2000 and Syracuse University College of Law in 2003, said. “I know too many people who have found the financial burden so great they haven’t been able to finish their degrees, or cannot afford to return to the North Country while paying their loans."
Russell is joining her colleagues in the New York State Assembly to push the Higher Education Road to Success, a series of bills that would build on years of progress towards making college more accessible to more people.
“Within the last couple years we have increased aid to community colleges, the SUNY system, and increased TAP [Tuition Assistance Program] awards,” Russell said. “Now we need to go further.”
Russell is pushing to expand child care centers at SUNY campuses and working to address barriers for children in the foster care system so they can afford a college education.
The Road to Success also includes a tax deduction for student loan interest - something Russell hopes will alleviate some of the financial stress felt by many young people.
“Student’s should have the opportunity to further their education so they can find jobs and stay in the area,” Russell said. "We need to level the playing field so our families can afford to send their kids to college.”