Alexandria shared her student debt story on the floor of the House last week in an effort to keep up the pressure on President Biden to cancel student loan debt.
We asked our movement to join her and share their student debt stories, and we received 255 submissions!
Here are two of the stories that were shared:
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“I knew since I was a teenager that I wanted to be a nurse. I liked taking care of people and I was good at it, but I grew up poor so it always seemed like a distant dream. I became a medical assistant and the doctor I worked for encouraged me to go to nursing school. I told him I couldn’t afford it, but he told me that I could take out loans and they’d be forgiven by the company I work for when I get my nursing job. I took his advice and went to college at 20. Thankfully, I was eligible for financial aid for a little while, but I ended up needing to take out $30K to get me through my Bachelors degree. All along the way, teachers, advisors, counselors, loan officers, everyone told me the same thing, “your loans will be forgiven when you become a nurse because you’re serving the community.” Well, needless to say, they were wrong. I’m 32 years old and I’m still over $30K in debt. I’m currently working in the public school system and I only make $54K a year. In Connecticut, that truly isn’t much money. I’m dreading February 2022. I’m a nurse. I take care of my country’s people. I only wish my country would return the favor.” — LeeAnn “I am a first generation American and college student. I was told that higher education was a pathway to success and to social mobility. Now that I’ve graduated with thousands in debt, I think about how I am going to have to pay hundreds a month instead of using that money to help my family pay our bills and pursue the American Dream. Student loan debt is holding back millions from pursuing their dreams and investing in their families. Student loan debt is immoral and can be canceled by President Biden who ran on the promise of debt cancellation.” — Sabrina |
The stories shared are heartbreaking reminders of the cruel and painful burden student loans place on individuals and their families.
We have seen the benefits that student loan cancellation can have during the year and nine months of the emergency COVID-19 forbearance in effect. It has given people the breathing room to take care of their families and to start investing in their futures.
No person should have to go into lifelong debt in order to get an education. It’s wrong. It’s backwards. And, it doesn’t help us as a country.
These stories prove that it isn’t a billionaire’s child who is taking out student loans. It’s working- or middle-class people who are trying to make a living.
So, tell Biden: Let’s get real, and let’s cancel student loan debt.
Thank you,
Team AOC
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