Walker announces plan to make higher education more affordable, Dems say he didn't meet with them
WAUKESHA -- Governor Scott Walker has announced a new plan to make higher education more affordable. He says the proposal will build on the historic four-year UW System tuition freeze.
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)
On the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) campus, Governor Walker on Monday, January 11th announced a series of steps to make higher education more affordable. That includes increasing Wisconsin grants for technical college, deducting student loan interest and creating grants for students in emergency financial need.
"It`s taking an existing program that`s in place -- and this just adds money, about $1 million more, which will add assistance for about 1,000 more students but it`s on a needs basis. It`s taking a program but expanding," Governor Walker said.
Walker also touched on increasing internships for college students.
Governor Scott Walker
"If people are involved in an internship or some sort of partnership with a local company, the chances of graduating and staying with the local area go up dramatically," Walker said.
Democratic lawmakers say Walker refused to meet with them about their own ideas for managing student loan debt.
Advocates for student loan borrowers say Governor Walker's plan means there's no help on the way.
Scot Ross with One Wisconsin Now
"It`s not going to do anything to help the hard-working student loan borrowers in the state of Wisconsin who have done the right thing," Scot Ross with One Wisconsin Now said.
A study by the Institute for College Access and Success finds 70% of Wisconsin college graduates have student loan debt. The average exceeds $28,000.
Saul Newton is one of those students.
Saul Newton
"My highest interest rate on one of my loans is 7.5%. If I could refinance that down to 3% or 4%, that would be thousands of dollars a year that I could put back into the economy," Newton said.
Governor Walker also discussed eliminating the cap on student loan interest in terms of a tax deduction. Right now, it caps at $2,900.
His plan will eliminate that, and Walker said he hopes to get that passed in the next two months.
READ IT: Governor Scott Walker's statement on his College Affordability Legislative Package.
READ IT: Statement from Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) and Rep. Cory Mason (D-Racine) on Walker's plan for student debt relief.
READ IT: Statement from Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) on Walker's plan for student loan debt.