Schumer makes a point with students. He was accompapnied by college
President Donald Christian, center and Ulster County Executive
Michael Hein, right.
NEW PALTZ – Standing with SUNY New Paltz officials and students on a holiday Monday, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer called on his Senate colleagues to immediately reauthorize and extend the Federal Perkins Loan program. Schumer said in a time when college costs are skyrocketing and students are straining under massive debt, it does not make sense to cut off a vital federal student loan program for those with financial need.
The Perkins Loan Program provides low-interest loans to students who cannot borrow or afford more expensive private student loans. Schumer said this program provides $120 million in aid to New York colleges, including students who attend SUNY New Paltz in Ulster County and Orange County Community College, as well as other schools throughout the Hudson Valley, like Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh and Sullivan County Community College.
“People in Congress are trying to cut off one of the major loan programs,” Schumer said. “It’s hard to believe. It’s so important for the future of America to have qualified young people like those standing behind me be able to afford college.”
The senator noted the program is not a major burden on taxpayers because students repay the loans.
Erakare: ” I don’t know how my
family would afford ,,,
One of those students is sophomore education major Lydia Erakare, from Buffalo, who said the news is cause for serious concern.
“Not only for myself but for other students on their way to college,” Erakare said. “I mean, my sister is going to be going to college in a few years. I don’t know how my family would afford to send her to school without thee Perkins loan.”
SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian said Perkins Aid has been the most significant source of “flexible financial aid for these students.”
An undergraduate student may be eligible to receive up to $5,500 per year and graduate student may borrow up to $8,000 per year.
Schumer noted some irony in why Perkins was not renewed, mid-year and why there is little chance of Congress acting on it now. If it came up by itself, the Democrat senator said even most Republicans would support it. But, as is often the practice, issues get lumped together and often nothing gets passed.
