Blumenthal Statement on Reauthorization of Perkins Loan Program

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement today following Senate reauthorization of the Perkins Loan Program. This critical lifeline for many low-income students expired on September 30, despite receiving a unanimous one-year, no-cost extension from the House of Representatives on September 28:

“While I am pleased that the Senate acted today to extend this valuable program, I am disappointed that this reauthorization excludes aid to graduate students—a longstanding program that I will continue to fight for. Student debt is crippling and crushing our economy, forcing families to postpone purchases like homes and cars and delaying major life decisions. Perkins Loans have been a critical lifeline to tens of millions of students for over half a century, and reauthorization of this program should never have been in question. I have heard from students and families across Connecticut struggling to afford the rising cost of the college, who have implored me to address the prohibitive costs of higher education. We must keep faith with these students—our next greatest generation—and take real, meaningful steps now to address the national crisis of college affordability.”

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