Rep. Ron Kind Introduces Five-Point Student Loan Debt Action Plan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) held a press conference today at UW-Eau Claire to roll out his new Student Loan Debt Action Plan, consisting of five simple and workable options to ease the burden on current and future student loan borrowers and their families.

“Wisconsin students graduate from college and enter the job market with over $28,000 in debt on average, creating a huge financial strain that can last for years,” said Rep. Kind. “Student loan debt has surpassed $1 trillion nationally, which is higher than credit card debt and second only to homeowner mortgage debt. More than ever, we have an immediate need to reform student loan repayment programs so that students aren’t punished for seeking higher education.”

Rep. Kind was joined at the press conference by Saul Newton, a U.S. Army veteran and Wisconsin college student pursuing a degree in communications, and Rachel Steuer,a social worker in the Eau Claire area, both of whom have been saddled with student loan debt. Scot Ross, executive director of the non-profit One Wisconsin Now, discussed the impact of student loan debt in the state and joined the call for immediate action.

Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District is home to fourteen colleges and universities and more than 71,000 undergraduate students.  In all, 68 percent of Wisconsin students carry student loan debt.

To read Rep. Kind’s Student Loan Debt Action Plan, click here.