President’s College Plan May Mislead Applicants

President's College Plan May Mislead Applicants

LIBRE Encourages President to Focus on More Options for Young People

(Washington, D.C.) – Today President Obama is launching a two-day bus tour aimed at focusing attention on college affordability. This is a welcomed goal, as college costs continue to pose a serious challenge for students and families. According to the College Board, the annual cost for tuition, room, board and fees at a private four-year college is now over $39,000. While President Obama is now drawing attention to college costs, he is also calling for more government regulation and spending through a system that will channel federal dollars to schools ranked by government bureaucrats, and leaving students with less choice. 

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:

"We welcome the President's new attention to college affordability but disagree with his call for more spending and regulation on the matter. Despite the growing taxpayer commitment, the cost to students continues to increase. Total student loan debt is now over $1 trillion. Federal policies should help all of our young people make a choice that works for them, not deprive them of it. LIBRE urges Congress to consider policies that promote competition, make more efficient use of the taxpayer subsidies for higher education, and allows for a full range of options available to young people to educate themselves in an environment that suits their economic needs and goals to acquire the valuable skills necessary to compete in the workforce."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309.