Ted Kennedy: You don’t have to be a senator to make a difference. All you have to do is care. And this is something which is enormously inspiring now, because when I go to schools and colleges, I find so many of the young people want to be involved in helping to solve the problems – maybe not running for elected office, but trying to solve the problems. We’ve seen that in national magazines in recent times.
And one of the very, very important parts of an education bill that we have just passed in the House and Senate, and the President [George W. Bush] will sign, will be loan forgiveness for students who generally have $20,000 of indebtedness when they graduate; some much more.
It will be loan forgiveness for those that want to be involved in working in their community to help solve the problems. It may be as a teacher. It may be as a nurse. It may be as a prosecutor. It may be as a legal defender. It may be as a childcare worker. It may be working with special needs children. It may be working on an Indian reservation.
We’ve been very broad in terms of what we have defined in that to try to say to the young people in this country, if you’re a person that is able to get admission to a school and college, cost should not be the barrier for it. And when you graduate, debt should not be a barrier for your ability to make a contribution to the country, to give something back to the community for all that it has given to you, and for something to give back to the nation. That kind of spirit is alive and well. It gets back to your earlier question about the state of our democracy. As long as that kind of spirit is out there, this country will be safe and secure.
Recorded on: September 14, 2007
Discuss
Stephen Huff on January 16, 2008, 6:40 AM
Why not include military service as one of the options for forgiveness of college debt. It should at least be on the list.
Stephen Huff on January 16, 2008, 11:40 AM
Why not include military service as one of the options for forgiveness of college debt. It should at least be on the list.
Jonathan Adamski on January 17, 2008, 6:41 AM
With over $40,000 debt from college loans, I'm very interested in this. Why have I not heard about it before?
Jonathan Adamski on January 17, 2008, 11:41 AM
With over $40,000 debt from college loans, I’m very interested in this. Why have I not heard about it before?
Bernie Howitt on January 18, 2008, 2:20 PM
Since Australia has gone down the same path of huge loans for higher education, I think this is a critical issue. As a teacher I see kids restricting their options because they are afraid of incurring massive debts. If education is critical for the future, so too must equality of access be critical. The idea of community service would appeal to many who value their education, but gives them a choice about enslaving themselves in debt to gain it. An important idea that is critical in Australia as much as it is in the US.
Bernie Howitt on January 18, 2008, 7:20 PM
Since Australia has gone down the same path of huge loans for higher education, I think this is a critical issue. As a teacher I see kids restricting their options because they are afraid of incurring massive debts. If education is critical for the future, so too must equality of access be critical. The idea of community service would appeal to many who value their education, but gives them a choice about enslaving themselves in debt to gain it. An important idea that is critical in Australia as much as it is in the US.
Bethany Trigg on January 21, 2008, 10:56 AM
With the cost of higher education continually increasing I believe something must be done to protect the students who are depending on this education. In my opinion I believe the middle class are those who are affected by the loans more that the upper or lower class. To graduate college and to be already in debt is not the way someone should start off in life.
Bethany Trigg on January 21, 2008, 3:56 PM
With the cost of higher education continually increasing I believe something must be done to protect the students who are depending on this education. In my opinion I believe the middle class are those who are affected by the loans more that the upper or lower class. To graduate college and to be already in debt is not the way someone should start off in life.
J Bud Lewis on January 23, 2008, 3:38 AM
Maybe to disabled, but really sir, thats what education brings…the ability to pay it back…
If I can, sir, if the person does not graduate…then 20k forgivin…but they quit for what ever reason…and most are pretty good reason's and its there loss- 100%. Mine and yours too in the long run for that particular individual, but at least the defunct student can move on with his life knowing that Higher Education forgave his lack of understanding at the institution. Military might be an option after this realization. I would love this law as a 3 strike rule, than California's law any day!! lol.
It really is hard for the average person in America to talk to someone like you. I am sorry, but it is that away…probably like you and the relationship of the many presidents you have sat under…good luck in the future. signed —-an American 100%
J Bud Lewis on January 23, 2008, 8:38 AM
Maybe to disabled, but really sir, thats what education brings…the ability to pay it back…
If I can, sir, if the person does not graduate…then 20k forgivin…but they quit for what ever reason…and most are pretty good reason’s and its there loss- 100%. Mine and yours too in the long run for that particular individual, but at least the defunct student can move on with his life knowing that Higher Education forgave his lack of understanding at the institution. Military might be an option after this realization. I would love this law as a 3 strike rule, than California’s law any day!! lol.
It really is hard for the average person in America to talk to someone like you. I am sorry, but it is that away…probably like you and the relationship of the many presidents you have sat under…good luck in the future. signed —-an American 100%
Jamie Tyroler on May 20, 2008, 8:07 PM
College education should be more accessible for anyone with the ability to study at a college level. We are paying for people not getting a sufficient education – by people not having the knowledge to compete for jobs on an international level.
BTW – I hope Sen. Kennedy has success in his treatment for cancer.
Jamie Tyroler on May 21, 2008, 12:07 AM
College education should be more accessible for anyone with the ability to study at a college level. We are paying for people not getting a sufficient education – by people not having the knowledge to compete for jobs on an international level.
BTW – I hope Sen. Kennedy has success in his treatment for cancer.
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