House Education and Workforce Committee Republicans declared in July 2003 that
the nation’s higher education system is in a crisis as a result of uncontrolled
cost increases. Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) stated that the federal role in
higher education “…needs to be realigned to confront the cost crisis
head-on.” more
The Committee released a report
on this topic in September 2003.
The growing cost of higher education has led many groups to advocate higher
loan limits. Federal loan limits have remained stagnant for many years. Both
opponents and proponents of increased loan limits agree that skyrocketing tuition
increases have greatly affected students, particularly lower income students.
However, there are many different opinions on how to address the problem. Opponents
of loan limits argue that higher limits will only exacerbate students’
unmanageable debt burdens. Supporters argue that without increases, many students
simplyl cannot afford higher education. Some also claim that students are being
forced to take out more expensive private loans.
For more information about increasing student debt, see:
and NCLC