The USA does not need more politicians. Public service feeds community organizers which has led to the current fiscal irresponsibility in both Congress and the White House. College is a goal not an entitlement. Parents need to be vested (co-sign) in their child's education and the child needs to be grateful to their parent by ensure prompt payment of co-signed loans. Otherwise it is federally funded college welfare.

Everyone trying to pay off extremely high tuition bills my condolences. There is NO WAY young kids of today should take on the debt of large student loans. It's sad, that parents themselves are not financially aware enough to direct their children in way that will be a win-win proposition. "Designer" tier I and tier II school are great. Don't get me wrong. But really only great for the wealthiest of our population. Although I will be able to help my children with their college education (lucky ducks), I will not be able to choke down the costs of most private college (our estimate EFC is between $40 & $60K depending. This is outrageous. Although "income" is supposed to dictate this contribution, the schools don't take into consideration the amount of debt our family has such as mortgage, car payments, utilities, high taxes (thanks MA), etc. So, I certainly can't jeopardize my financial future with huge college payments and won't suggest to my kids that they do so either. It is a learning mistake that could financially handicap all of us for years to come. So, MA state colleges.....here we come!

Time and time again I see programs to help alleviate FEDERAL student loan debt... but private loans are forever taking a back seat. Like many of you, I came from a middle class family, fresh out of high school, just barely 18 when I decided I wanted to attend a private technological university. At the time I was told to go for my dreams, that I would be able to get enough loans to cover the cost of my tuition. I believed the people that were supposed to know better than I did, and as such have graduated with almost $150,000 in cumulative student loan debt. Of that, less than $30,000 is in Federal loans. Had I known then what I know now, I would have sucked it up and gone to community college and ended up in the same place I am now: ending a 4 month unemployment streak with a part time minimum wage job in food service. All this talk about making college more affordable sounds great, but until I see it, and until someone can prove to me that a middle class, intelligent student who worked his/her butt off to get into a good school can graduate with less than $30,000 in debt, it's just talk and ideas and a lot of empty promises.

I can beat many of these comments. I am a 2nd year law student and with $20K in undergrads loans, I will graduate with a total of $200K in student loans. My books this past semester came out to $960! I have yet to find a job for this coming summer. Ouch!

I am in so much student loan debt that it's crazy. I am an adult that returned to school as a "non-traditional" student. I was a single with 6 kids (3 grown & 3 at home) I was just barely making it when I was taking classes and the loans helped a lot. Now, It's time to pay-back & I am beside myself. I will probably have to sell my house to pay back the debt. I thought getting an education was supposed to make your life better! I don't even earn the "median" income with a Master's Degree. I also tried to find a part-time job but thanks to the economy, that's a lost cause.

carter if you are married there are different rules for you.........what I'm talking about has nothing to do people in your situation........I'm so sick of people coming to school in high dollar clothes, shoes and driving cars....but they get free money for school.......while I'm struggling to get a loan my parents could only co-sign once......and I actually had to stop my program at school and return home and attend community college because of not being able to get a loan. I wish the governement would put their money where their mouth is and actually help middle class students attend school. if my parents were living off thier gross income I wouldn't be in this mess. Thank you Anna H

I dont like this idea at all! For one, I am married and do not live with my parents! I hope there are options for individuals who are married...secondly, I think its a bad idea, because like any government program, budgets cuts can be made and people could be extremely limited in the future if the government "has" to make cuts from this!